EP3581248A1 - Heelholder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic heel unit (1) for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding. This automatic heel unit (1) comprises a base unit (2) for attachment to the surface of a ski and a heel holder (3) with at least one holding means (4.1, 4.2) for holding a ski shoe in a heel area of the ski shoe, the automatic heel unit (1) Has downhill configuration in which the heel holder (3) is in a holding position and the at least one holding means (4.1, 4.2) can interact with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel area of the ski shoe is held down in a lowered position. Furthermore, the automatic heel unit (1) comprises a radial bearing, by means of which the heel holder (3) is mounted on the base unit (2) so as to be pivotable relative to the base unit (2) about an essentially vertically oriented, geometrical pivot axis and thus starting from its stop position along an adjustment path is pivotable about the pivot axis away from its holding position, the radial bearing having a pin (25) which is formed on a first of the two units comprising the base unit (2) and heel holder (3), and the radial bearing has a receptacle (32), which is formed on a second of the two units comprising the base unit (2) and the heel holder (3), the pin (25) being rotatably inserted into the receptacle (32), whereby the heel holder (3) about the pivot axis relative to the base unit (2 ) is pivotally mounted on the base unit (3). The automatic heel unit (1) further comprises a pretensioning device, by means of which the heel holder (3) can be pretensioned in a first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position, the pretensioning device comprising a first pushing element (27) with a first positioning structure (29) and an elastic element (26), wherein the first pushing element (27) due to a first force generated by the elastic element (26) and oriented along an alignment axis of the elastic element (26) in a first direction with the first positioning structure (29) against a first counter structure ( 33) can be pressed when the heel holder (3) is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to pretension the heel holder (3) in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an automatic heel unit for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding. This automatic heel unit comprises a base unit for attachment to the surface of a ski and a heel holder with at least one holding means for holding a ski shoe in a heel area of the ski shoe, the automatic heel unit having a downhill configuration in which the heel holder is in a holding position and the at least one holding means can cooperate with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel area of the ski boot is held down in a lowered position. Furthermore, the automatic heel unit comprises a radial bearing, by means of which the heel holder is mounted on the base unit so as to be pivotable relative to the base unit about a substantially vertically oriented, geometrical pivot axis and can thus be pivoted away from its stop position along an adjustment path about the pivot axis, with this Radial bearing has a pin which is formed on a first of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, and the radial bearing has a receptacle which is formed on a second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, the pin being rotatably inserted into the holder, whereby the heel holder is pivotally mounted on the base unit about the pivot axis relative to the base unit. In addition, the automatic heel unit comprises a pretensioning device, by means of which the heel holder can be pretensioned in a first region of the adjustment path toward its holding position, the pretensioning device comprising a first pushing element with a first positioning structure and an elastic element, the first pushing element being produced on the basis of an elastic element and can be pressed along a direction of alignment of the elastic element in a first direction with the first positioning structure against a first counter structure if the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to bias the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position.

State of the art

Automatic heel units of the technical field mentioned at the outset are known. Their task is to ensure that the heel area of the ski boot is reliably fixed on the ski in a downhill configuration. In order to increase the safety of the skier, some such heel automats also enable a safety release based on the downhill configuration, in which the heel area of the ski boot is released. This can be, for example, a safety trigger in the forward direction or a side safety trigger. In both cases, the term "safety release" means that the automatic heel unit releases the heel area of the ski boot if the energy of an impact on the ski boot, the ski binding or the ski exceeds a predetermined value. It is irrelevant whether the automatic heel unit is in the downhill configuration or in another configuration after the ski boot has been released. In the event of impacts the energy of which does not exceed this value, the automatic heel unit remains in the downhill configuration and keeps the heel area of the ski boot locked in a lowered position towards the ski.

Furthermore, the type of tasks to be performed by an automatic heel unit usually depends on the function that the ski binding to which the automatic heel unit is supposed to perform. Downhill ski bindings, for example, are only used for skiing and downhill skiing. On the other hand, touring ski bindings are also used for walking on skis, in particular for ascending with the help of climbing skins attached to the skis. Cross-country bindings, on the other hand, are used for cross-country skiing and telemark bindings for skiing with the Telemark technique. Of these ski bindings, downhill ski bindings only have to ensure reliable fixing of the ski boot on the ski in a so-called stopping position. Some automatic heel units also have a so-called entry configuration or release configuration, in which they enable entry into the ski binding. However, this function can also be performed by a front automat. In contrast, cross-country and telemark bindings generally only have to hold the ski boot pivotable about an axis oriented in the direction of the ski, as well as access to the ski binding enable. On the other hand, touring ski bindings such as downhill ski bindings must ensure that the ski boot is securely attached to the ski in the stopping position and allow access to the ski binding. In addition, they must be able to hold the ski boot pivotable about an axis oriented horizontally in the direction of the ski in order to walk on skis or ascend. For this purpose, touring ski bindings have a walking position in which the ski boot, like cross-country and telemark bindings, can be pivoted about an axis oriented horizontally in the direction of the ski and can be lifted off the ski in the heel area, which enables a joint movement between the ski boot and the ski for walking. Since there are different designs and types of touring ski bindings, the automatic heel unit can be in the walking position of a touring ski binding in different configurations depending on the construction and type of touring ski binding. For example, he can be in his departure configuration, in an entry-level configuration, in a triggering configuration or in a walking configuration.

If a stop position is also required for a cross-country and telemark binding, such a cross-country or telemark binding also requires an automatic heel device, by means of which the ski boot can be locked in its heel area and lowered towards the ski, and which is the heel area of the ski shoe for walking can release the cross-country or telemark binding in the walking position.

Touring ski bindings can basically be divided into two types. One type comprises a ski boot carrier which can be pivoted with respect to the ski and on which the ski boot is held by binding jaws. A representative member of this type of touring ski bindings is, for example, in the EP 0 754 079 B1 (Fritschi AG ) described. The second type, on the other hand, uses ski boots with stiff soles. With these touring ski bindings, the ski boot is pivotally mounted in its toe area in a ski-mounted front automat. In this case, the automatic heel unit is also firmly attached to the ski at a distance from the front automatic machine that is adapted to the length of the ski boot and holds the ski boot in a lowered position in the heel region in the downward position of the binding. In the ascending position of the binding, the ski boot is still held in the front automatic and thus in the ski binding and can be turned around the storage on the front machine can be swiveled. However, the heel area of the ski shoe is then released by the automatic heel unit and can be lowered towards the ski until the heel area of the ski shoe touches the automatic heel unit or the ski, and is lifted away again from the ski without being locked and held down by the automatic heel unit in the lowered position become. Ski boots suitable for this type of binding typically have two lateral recesses in the toe area for pivoting mounting in the front machine. Furthermore, they have recesses open to the rear in the heel area, into which holding means of the automatic heel unit can engage.

It goes without saying that in the case of this second type of touring ski bindings, the distance at which the automatic heel unit has to be mounted on the ski by the front automatic machine is dictated by the length of the sole of the ski boot to be held.

A (fictitious) ski is often used as a reference system for the description of such binding systems, it being assumed that the binding is mounted on this ski. This habit is adopted in this text. So the term "ski longitudinal direction" means along the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the ski. Similarly, "parallel to the ski" means oriented for an elongated object along the longitudinal axis of the ski. For a flat object, however, the term "parallel to the ski" means oriented parallel to the sliding surface of the ski. Furthermore, the term "ski cross direction" means a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ski, which does not, however, have to be oriented exactly at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ski. Their orientation can also deviate somewhat from a right angle. The term "ski center", in turn, means a center of the ski when viewed in the direction of the ski, while the term "ski manifest" does not mean movable relative to the ski. It should also be noted that terms that do not contain the word "ski" refer to the reference system of (fictitious) ski. The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom" and "side" refer to "front", "back", "top", "bottom" and "side" of the ski. Terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" also refer to the ski, where "horizontal" means lying in a plane parallel to the ski and "vertical" means oriented perpendicular to this plane.

A touring ski binding of the second type introduced above is in the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) and is sold under the name Dynafit. A front automat of this system has two clamping parts, each with a pin oriented in the direction of the ski, which engages from the sides in recesses in the toe area of the ski boot when entering the touring ski binding. As a result, the pins form a pivot bearing of the ski boot, on which the ski boot can be pivoted with respect to the ski about an axis oriented horizontally in the direction of the ski.

A heel automat of this system, which is separate from the front automatic, has a base element for attachment to a ski and a heel holder for holding the ski boot in the heel area of the ski boot. The heel holder is mounted on a vertically aligned pin arranged on the base element and is thus pivotably mounted on the base element about a vertically oriented, geometric pivot axis relative to the base element. In the downhill configuration of the automatic heel unit, the heel holder is in a stop position. In this holding position, two pins arranged on the heel holder are oriented toward the front of the automatic machine, as a result of which they engage in recesses in the heel of the ski boot and can thereby lock the ski boot in a position lowered toward the ski. When entering the touring ski binding, the ski boot is first stored in the front machine. Then the heel of the ski boot is lowered from above onto the pins on the heel holder. Since the recesses in the heel of the ski boot are largely open at the bottom, the recesses are guided over the pins, whereupon the pins snap into locking recesses in the recesses for locking.

In order to ensure a safety release in the forward direction, the two pins can be pressed apart against a spring force, as a result of which they slide out of the locking recesses and the recesses and can release the heel of the ski boot upwards. For this purpose, both pins are each arranged on a lever, the levers each being pivotally mounted on the heel holder in a horizontal plane. Both levers are biased with a spring force so that the two pins are pressed towards each other. By adjusting the spring force, the force can be specified is required to enable triggering in the forward direction. This enables a safety release in the forward direction.

In addition to the safety release in the forward direction, the automatic heel unit also enables a side safety release. For this purpose, the heel holder can be pivoted about a vertically oriented, geometric pivot axis against a spring force on both sides until the two pins are pivoted away to the side and the heel area of the ski boot is released to the corresponding side. In order to enable such a lateral safety release, the pin of the base element has a flat surface on its rear side, which is oriented horizontally backwards with its normal vector. A piston mounted in the heel holder and biased forward with a spring is pressed against this surface of the pin in the holding position. If the heel holder is pivoted away from its holding position about the pivot axis on one of the two sides, the piston is pivoted and tilted relative to the surface of the pin. This moves the piston backwards against the spring force. Thus, the heel holder is biased towards its holding position due to the spring force. By adjusting the preload of the spring, the value can be specified which has to be exceeded by the energy of an impact on the ski, the ski binding or the ski, so that there is a lateral safety release.

A heel machine according to the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) can also be brought into a climbing position by the skier's heel holder being rotated around the swivel axis as with a side safety release until the two pins have been swiveled to the side out of the movement path of the heel of the ski boot. The heel holder has several rotational positions in which the pins are pivoted out of the movement path of the heel. These individual rotational positions are each predetermined by a spring catch for locking the heel holder. If the heel holder is in a certain of these rotational positions, the movement path of the heel of the ski boot is free and the ski boot can be lowered down to the ski. If, on the other hand, the heel holder is in one of the further rotational positions, there is in each case a support arranged on the heel holder pivoted a certain distance from the ski in the path of movement of the heel of the ski boot. Each such support prevents the ski boot from lowering towards the ski at a different distance from the ski. Accordingly, different climbing aids can be adjusted by positioning the heel holder in the different rotational positions.

The automatic heel unit according to the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) has a very compact design. However, it has the disadvantage that the heel holder is not particularly stable on the base element.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic heel unit belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which is of compact construction and at the same time enables the heel holder to be stably supported on the base element.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the elastic element is arranged in the pin, the alignment axis of the elastic element being oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis, and the first counter structure being assigned to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder.

It is irrelevant for the solution according to the invention how the base unit is designed exactly. The base unit can thus be formed in one piece or in several pieces. For example, as in the automatic heel unit of the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) be integrally formed as a base element. If the base unit is made up of several pieces, it can, for example, as in the case of FIGS WO 2012/024809 A1 (Fritschi AG - Swiss Bindings) described heel automats comprise a base plate for attachment to the surface of a ski and a slide which is mounted on the base plate so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski and on which the heel holder is mounted so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis. For example, the position of the slide in the longitudinal direction of the ski relative to the base plate can be adjusted by means of a screw in order to be able to adjust the position of the heel holder in the longitudinal direction of the ski relative to the front automatic of the ski binding, so that the ski binding is adapted to differently sized ski boots can be. In addition, the sled can be biased with a spring to a front position relative to the base plate, whereby the heel holder together with the sled can be pushed back against the bias of the spring in order to change the distance between the front automat and the heel holder, which occur when the ski bends can compensate.

It is irrelevant for the solution according to the invention how the heel holder is designed exactly. The heel holder forms a unit and can be formed in one piece or in several pieces. For example, like the one in EP 0 754 079 B1 (Fritschi AG ) described heel holder can be designed in the form of a cheek, which can grip around the sole of the ski shoe from behind, reaching somewhat forward and to the side and above. The heel holder can also, for example, as in the EP 3 167 943 A1 ( Fritschi AG ) described by a heel hold-down device and a forward heel support structure with two protruding projections that are elongated in the vertical direction. The heel holder can also be used in the same way, for example EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) described as a unit with two pins pointing forward. The heel holder can also be designed differently.

According to the solution according to the invention, the pin is formed on a first of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder, while the receptacle is formed on a second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder. Thus, the pin can be formed on the base unit, while the receptacle is formed on the heel holder. Likewise, the pin can also be formed on the heel holder, while the receptacle can be formed on the base unit.

For the solution according to the invention, it is irrelevant how the radial bearing is designed as long as the radial bearing has a pin and a receptacle, the pin being rotatably inserted into the receptacle, as a result of which the heel holder is pivotable relative to the base unit about a substantially vertically oriented, geometric pivot axis the base unit is stored. The radial bearing preferably prevents a translational movement of the heel holder relative to the base unit in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis. The base unit can also have two elements have, which are movable relative to each other perpendicular to the pivot axis, the radial bearing being arranged on one of these two elements. In this case, the other of the two elements of the base unit can perform a translational movement relative to the heel holder perpendicular to the pivot axis. However, movement of the element of the base unit, on which the radial bearing is arranged, relative to the heel holder perpendicular to the pivot axis of the radial bearing is still prevented. In this case the formulation also applies that the radial bearing prevents a translational movement of the heel holder relative to the base unit perpendicular to the pivot axis.

Regardless of whether the base unit has two elements that are movable relative to each other perpendicular to the pivot axis, the radial bearing being arranged on one of these two elements, there is the possibility that when the heel holder moves along the adjustment path, the pivot axis is displaced relative to the base unit or that the pivot axis remains in an unchanged position relative to the base unit or relative to the element of the base unit on which the radial bearing is arranged.

It is irrelevant for the solution according to the invention how the elastic element of the pretensioning device is designed. The elastic element can thus be formed in one piece or in several pieces. For example, the elastic element can be a spring, in particular a spiral spring. The elastic element can also comprise, for example, two or more spiral springs arranged one inside the other.

Regardless of the specific design of the elastic element, the elastic element is arranged in the pin according to the inventive solution. This preferably means that preferably 70% or more of a volume of the elastic element, particularly preferably 90% or more of the volume of the elastic element, very particularly preferably the entire volume of the elastic element is within an internal volume of the pin. The internal volume of the pin is preferably limited in the radial direction by a lateral surface of the pin and in the axial direction by a distal end of the pin and a proximal end of the pin. It is irrelevant whether the pin has a continuous circumferential surface has or whether there are gaps in the lateral surface of the pin. If there are one or more gaps in the lateral surface of the pin, the internal volume of the pin in the area of the respective gap is preferably limited by a (fictitious) continuously differentiable continuation of the lateral surface adjacent to the gap.

As already mentioned, the pivot axis about which the heel holder is pivotably mounted on the base unit by the radial bearing relative to the base unit is oriented essentially vertically. This preferably means that an angle between an exactly vertical line and the pivot axis is less than 45 °. However, the pivot axis about which the heel holder is pivotably mounted on the base unit relative to the base unit by the radial bearing is particularly preferably oriented vertically.

According to the solution according to the invention, the alignment axis of the elastic element is aligned perpendicular to the pivot axis. The alignment axis of the elastic element is thus preferably aligned essentially horizontally, particularly preferably horizontally. The alignment axis of the elastic element is preferably determined by the first force oriented in the first direction or by the first direction.

Depending on the type of elastic element, the alignment axis of the elastic element can also coincide with a longitudinal axis of the elastic element. This is the case, for example, in the case of a spiral spring as an elastic element, which is compressed or pulled apart along its longitudinal axis and is therefore pretensioned in order to generate the first force along its longitudinal axis.

According to the solution according to the invention, the first counter structure is assigned to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder. The first counter structure is preferably held in a rotationally fixed manner on the second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, particularly preferably in a rotationally fixed manner on the receptacle. Accordingly, the first counter-structure rotates together with the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder relative to the pin when the heel holder is rotated about the pivot axis relative to the base unit. In a first preferred variant thereof, the first counter structure is in the axial direction relative to the second of the two Units of base unit and heel holder are movably mounted on the second of the two units of base unit and heel holder or in the axial direction relative to the second of the two units of base unit and heel holder on the receptacle. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be very well biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path, but the first counter structure can also be moved along the pivot axis. Correspondingly, a further functionality of the automatic heel unit, for example a safety release in the forward direction, can also be made possible or even controlled by the first counter structure. In a second preferred variant, on the other hand, the first counter-structure is fixed to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, particularly preferably fixed to the receptacle. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be optimally biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path.

The solution according to the invention has the advantage that, in an automatic heel unit with a predetermined size, the pin can be formed with a comparatively large diameter, since the elastic element is arranged in the pin and not outside the pin. As a result, the pin has a comparatively great stability, with which the heel holder can be mounted comparatively stably on the base element. Accordingly, with the solution according to the invention, a compactly constructed automatic heel unit is made possible, which at the same time enables the heel holder to be stably supported on the base element.

According to the solution according to the invention, the first pushing element can be pressed with the first positioning structure against a first counter-structure on the basis of a first force generated by the elastic element and oriented along an alignment axis of the elastic element in a first direction. The first push element with the first positioning structure can preferably be pressed against the first counter structure with a first push element force due to the first force. In a first preferred variant thereof, the first push element force with which the first push element with the first positioning structure can be pressed against the first counter structure is the same as the first force which is generated by the elastic element and along the Alignment axis of the elastic element is aligned in the first direction. In this first preferred variant, the elastic element preferably acts directly on the first impact element with the first force in order to press the first impact element with the first positioning structure against the first counter structure. In a second preferred variant, the first push element force differs from the first force. The reason for this can be, for example, a deflection mechanism or a lever mechanism of the automatic heel unit which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the first force into the first push element force. Therefore, in this second preferred variant, an absolute amount of the first push element force differs from an absolute amount of the first force and / or an alignment of the first push element force from an alignment of the first force. Accordingly, the automatic heel unit in the second preferred variant preferably comprises a deflection mechanism or a lever mechanism which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the first force into the first push element force.

Advantageously, the first thrust element is mounted so as to be movable in the pin radially to the pivot axis, particularly preferably being mounted so that it can be moved radially to the pivot axis. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be made compact. For this purpose, the first pushing element is particularly preferably movably or displaceably mounted directly on the pin. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be constructed in a particularly simple manner, since no additional elements are required for the storage of the first pushing element in the pin. As a variant, however, there is also the possibility that the first thrust element is mounted on an element other than the pin in the pin so as to be movable or displaceable radially to the pivot axis.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility that the first push element is not mounted so as to be radially movable in the journal.

The pretensioning device advantageously comprises a second pushing element with a second positioning structure, the second pushing element with the second positioning structure against the second positioning structure due to a second force generated by the elastic element and oriented along the alignment axis of the elastic element in a second direction opposite the first direction the second counter structure assigned to the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder can be pressed when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to pretension the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position. This has the advantage that, due to the first push element and due to the second push element, a better power transmission to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder can be achieved in order to pretension the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position.

The second counter structure is preferably held in a rotationally fixed manner on the second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, particularly preferably in a rotationally fixed manner on the receptacle. Accordingly, the second counter-structure rotates together with the second of the two units consisting of the base unit and the heel holder relative to the pin when the heel holder is rotated about the pivot axis relative to the base unit. In a first preferred variant thereof, the second counter structure can be moved in the axial direction relative to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder, and can be moved in the axial direction relative to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder stored at the recording. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be very well biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path, but the second counter structure can also be moved along the pivot axis. Correspondingly, the second counter structure can also enable or even control further functionality of the automatic heel unit, such as a safety release in the forward direction. In a second preferred variant, on the other hand, the second counter-structure is fixed to the second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder, particularly preferably fixed to the receptacle. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be optimally biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path.

Regardless of whether the second counter structure is rotatably or firmly held or arranged on the second of the two units comprising the base unit and heel holder or on the receptacle, the second pushing element is preferably with the second positioning structure with a second pushing element force due to the second force against the second Counter structure can be pressed. In a first preferred variant thereof, the second push element force with which the second push element with the second positioning structure can be pressed against the second counter structure is the same as the second force which is generated by the elastic element and along the alignment axis of the elastic element in that of the first direction opposite, second direction is aligned. In this first preferred variant, the elastic element preferably acts directly on the second impact element with the second force in order to press the second impact element with the second positioning structure against the second counter structure. In a second preferred variant, the second push element force differs from the second force. The reason for this can be, for example, a deflection mechanism or a lever mechanism of the automatic heel unit which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the second force into the second push element force. Therefore, in this second preferred variant, an absolute amount of the second push element force differs from an absolute amount of the second force and / or an alignment of the first push element force from an alignment of the second force. Accordingly, the automatic heel unit in the second preferred variant preferably comprises a deflection mechanism or a lever mechanism which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the second force into the second pushing element force.

Alternatively, however, there is also the possibility that the pretensioning device does not comprise such a second push element.

If the pretensioning device comprises a second pushing element with a second positioning structure, the second pushing element against the second positioning structure against one of the second ones due to a second force generated by the elastic element and oriented along the alignment axis of the elastic element in a second direction opposite to the first direction second counter structure assigned to the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder can be pressed when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to pretension the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position, an absolute amount of the first force is preferably the same as a Absolute amount of the second force. This has the advantage that symmetrical power transmission from the elastic element to the first push element and to the second push element can be achieved in a simple manner.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the absolute amount of the first force differs from the absolute amount of the second force.

The second thrust element is preferably mounted so as to be movable in the pin radially to the pivot axis, particularly preferably being mounted so that it can be moved radially to the pivot axis. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be made compact. For this purpose, the second pushing element is particularly preferably movably or displaceably mounted directly on the pin. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be constructed in a particularly simple manner, since no additional elements are required for the storage of the second pushing element in the pin. As a variant, however, there is also the possibility that the second thrust element is mounted on an element other than the pin in the pin so as to be movable or displaceable radially to the pivot axis.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility that the second push element is not mounted so as to be radially movable in the journal.

Particularly preferably, both the first thrust element and the second thrust element are mounted so as to be movable in the pin radially to the pivot axis, very particularly preferably are slidably mounted, the first thrust element and the second thrust element preferably being movably or displaceably mounted directly on the pin. The first thrust element is preferably mounted such that it can be moved or slid along a straight line, the second thrust element preferably being movably or slidably supported along a straight line continuation of the straight line.

Alternatively, however, there is also the possibility that only the first push element or only the second push element is mounted in the pin radially to the pivot axis or displaceably, or that neither the first push element nor the second push element is mounted in the pin radially to the pivot axis.

If the pretensioning device comprises a second pushing element with a second positioning structure, the second pushing element against the second positioning structure against one of the second ones due to a second force generated by the elastic element and oriented along the alignment axis of the elastic element in a second direction opposite to the first direction If the heel holder is located in the first area of the adjustment path in order to prestress the heel holder in the first area of the adjustment path toward its holding position, the first push element is preferably on a first side of the elastic element arranged and the second pushing element is arranged on a second side of the elastic element opposite the first side of the elastic element. This has the advantage that the first push element and the second push element can be coupled to one another in a simple manner via the elastic element, so that the two push elements can be pressed against the second unit consisting of the base unit and heel holder with essentially the same force. For this purpose, the elastic element is preferably clamped between the first impact element and the second impact element. In a first preferred variant thereof, the first push element and the second push element are each mounted or displaceable in the journal radially to the pivot axis, the elastic element being clamped between the first push element and the second push element and only via the first push element and the second push element is held in the spigot. In a second preferred variant thereof, the first push element and the second push element are each mounted or movable in the pin radially to the pivot axis, the elastic element being fastened in its central region to the pin and being clamped between the first push element and the second push element. In both preferred variants, both the first push element and the second push element are particularly preferably movably or displaceably mounted directly on the pin. As an alternative to these two preferred variants, other arrangements are also possible in which the elastic element is clamped between the first push element and the second push element.

Preferably, the first push element force and the second push element force are opposite, i.e. aligned in opposite directions, wherein an absolute amount of the first push element force is preferably essentially the same size, particularly preferably the same size as an absolute amount of the second push element force. This has the advantage that the two thrust elements are pressed symmetrically away from the pivot axis or symmetrically towards the pivot axis against the respective counter-structure, as a result of which a force acting in the radial direction on the radial bearing is minimized due to the pretensioning of the elastic element. Accordingly, a load on the radial bearing can be reduced and the lifespan of the automatic heel unit increased.

In addition, the first push element force is preferably the same as the first force and the second push element force is the same as the second force. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be constructed in a particularly simple manner.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility that the first push element force and the second push element force are the same, i.e. are aligned in the same direction, or that the first thrust element force and the second thrust element force are oriented at an angle between 0 ° and 180 °, particularly preferably at an angle between 10 ° and 170 °.

If the pretensioning device comprises a second pushing element with a second positioning structure, the second pushing element against the second positioning structure against one of the second ones due to a second force generated by the elastic element and oriented along the alignment axis of the elastic element in a second direction opposite to the first direction second counter structure assigned to the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder can be pressed when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to pretension the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position, and if the first push element is arranged on a first side of the elastic element and the second pushing element is arranged on a second side of the elastic element opposite the first side of the elastic element, the first counter structure is preferably from the pivot axis seen arranged in a first radial direction and the second counterstructure viewed from the pivot axis in a second radial direction opposite to the first radial direction. This has the advantage that the two thrust elements can be pressed symmetrically away from the swivel axis with their positioning structures against the respective counter-structure or symmetrically to the swivel axis with their positioning structures against the respective counter-structure, as a result of which a radial force acting on the radial bearing due to the preload of the elastic element is minimized, while at the same time, due to the arrangement of the counter structures, a torque which is aligned along the pivot axis can be brought about symmetrically in order to optimally prestress the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path toward its holding position, which likewise results in an external force acting on the radial bearing is reduced. Accordingly, a load on the radial bearing can be additionally reduced and the lifespan of the automatic heel unit can thus be increased further.

As an alternative to this, there is also the possibility that the first counter structure is arranged in a first radial direction as seen from the pivot axis, while the second counter structure is not arranged in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction as seen from the pivot axis.

A prestress of the elastic element is preferably adjustable in order to adjust the first force generated by the elastic element and, if appropriate, the second force generated by the elastic element. This has the advantage that the pretension with which the heel holder is pretensioned in the first region of the adjustment path toward its holding position can be set.

Alternatively, however, there is also the possibility that the prestressing of the elastic element cannot be adjusted. Such an alternative has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be constructed more simply. In addition, the automatic heel unit can be designed in such a way that it has less weight.

In a first preferred variant, the first of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder is the base unit and the second of the two units comprising the base unit and Heel holder the heel holder. This has the advantage that the pin is arranged on the base unit and that the receptacle is arranged on the heel holder. Thus, in the assembled state of the automatic heel unit, the heel holder with the receptacle is put over the pin from above. Accordingly, during normal use of the automatic heel unit, in which the sliding surface of the ski, on which the automatic heel unit is attached, points down towards the snow, any liquid, such as water, which has accumulated between the pin and the radial bearing, can flow out of the receptacle. Accordingly, icing of the automatic heel unit is prevented in a simple manner.

In a second preferred variant, the first of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder is the heel holder and the second of the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder is the base unit. This has the advantage that the pin is arranged on the heel holder and that the elastic element and the push element are pivoted with the heel holder relative to the base unit when the heel holder is pivoted about the pivot axis relative to the base unit. Since the elastic element can thus be held in a same position relative to the heel holder apart from a change in the pre-tension of the elastic element caused by the interaction of the first and possibly second positioning structure with the second or possibly existing second counter structure, the elastic element can thereby can also be used for further functionality of the heel holder. If, for example, the automatic heel unit enables a safety release in the forward direction and the mechanism which controls this safety release in the forward direction is arranged in the heel holder, the elastic element can also be used for the mechanism which controls the safety release in the forward direction, for example.

The radial bearing advantageously also forms an axial bearing. This has the advantage that the heel holder is supported on the base unit against movement along the pivot axis relative to the base unit by the axial bearing. It is irrelevant whether the thrust bearing acts only in one direction or in both directions along the pivot axis or whether the heel holder is prevented by the thrust bearing from moving in one of the two Directions or in both directions along the pivot axis relative to the base unit is supported on the base unit.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the radial bearing does not simultaneously form an axial bearing. In this case, the automatic heel unit can have, for example, an axial bearing which is formed separately from the radial bearing.

The heel holder is advantageously in its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be optimally biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the heel holder is not in the first area of the adjustment path in its holding position.

If the heel holder is in its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path, then when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path, a first distance between the first positioning structure and the pivot axis is dependent on the position of the heel holder on the adjustment path, the the first distance is smaller, the further the heel holder is from its holding position on the adjustment path. This has the advantage that the heel holder can be optimally biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path.

If the pretensioning device also comprises a second pushing element with a second positioning structure, the second pushing element against the second positioning structure against one of the second ones due to a second force generated by the elastic element and oriented along the alignment axis of the elastic element in a second direction opposite to the first direction second counter structure assigned to the two units comprising the base unit and the heel holder can be pressed when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path in order to pretension the heel holder in the first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position, when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path is located, preferably a second distance between the second positioning structure and the pivot axis depending on the position of the heel holder on the adjustment path, the second distance being smaller the further the heel holder is on the adjustment path from se iner Stop position is removed. This also has the advantage that the heel holder can be optimally biased towards its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path. This advantage is particularly great if both the first distance between the first positioning structure and the pivot axis and the second distance between the second positioning structure and the pivot axis are dependent on the position of the heel holder on the adjustment path, if the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path is located, the first distance and the second distance being smaller the further the heel holder is from its holding position on the adjustment path.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility that when the heel holder is in the first region of the adjustment path, a distance between the first positioning structure and the pivot axis or between the second positioning structure and the pivot axis does not depend on the position of the heel holder on the Adjustment path is, or that if the heel holder is in the first area of the adjustment path, the first distance and / or the second distance is not smaller the further the heel holder is from its holding position on the adjustment path.

The heel holder can preferably be pivoted away from its holding position in both directions about the pivot axis, starting from its holding position along the adjustment path. This has the advantage that easier handling of the automatic heel unit is made possible. In addition, a lateral safety release can be made possible on both sides, which increases the safety for the skier.

As an alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility that the heel holder, starting from its holding position along the adjustment path, can only be pivoted away from its holding position in one direction about the pivot axis.

The automatic heel unit preferably has a walking configuration in which the heel holder is in a walking position and the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding is released from the heel holder and can be lowered towards the ski until the heel region of the ski shoe touches the automatic heel unit or the ski, and can be lifted away from the ski again without being locked in the lowered position by the heel holder. This has the advantage that the Heel automat particularly suitable for touring ski binding, telemark ski binding or cross-country ski binding.

If the automatic heel unit has a walking configuration, then the heel holder is preferably adjustable along the adjustment path from its holding position to its walking position and back. This has the advantage that the operation of the automatic heel unit is simplified. As a variant, however, there is also the possibility that the heel holder cannot be adjusted along the adjustment path from its holding position to its walking position and back.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit does not have a walking configuration in which the heel holder is in a walking position.

The automatic heel unit advantageously enables a safety release. This has the advantage that safety is increased for the skier.

In a preferred variant of this, the automatic heel unit enables a lateral safety release.

In a preferred variant, the automatic heel unit enables a safety release in the forward direction. In a further preferred variant thereof, the automatic heel unit enables both a safety release in the forward direction and a side safety release.

If the automatic heel unit enables a lateral safety release, the lateral safety release is preferably made possible by a movement of the heel holder along the adjustment path away from its holding position. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be constructed in such a way that it is light in weight.

As an alternative, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit does not allow safety tripping.

The at least one holding means for holding a ski shoe in a heel area of the ski shoe is preferably two holding means, each with a holding element for holding the ski shoe in the heel area of the ski shoe. Preferably the two holding elements are each formed by a pin which points forward with its free end in order to engage a recess in the heel area of the ski shoe in order to hold the ski boot in the heel area of the ski shoe. The two holding elements can also be designed differently. Regardless of the shape of the holding elements, the two holding means can preferably be moved relative to one another, as a result of which a distance between the two holding elements can be changed. The two holding elements are preferably in a holding position at a holding distance from one another. In this case, the two holding elements can preferably be pretensioned to their holding distance by a pretensionable, elastic pretensioning element, by means of which pretensioning a holding force can be generated in the pretensioned state.

In a preferred variant, the at least one holding means for holding a ski boot in a heel area of the ski boot is a heel cheek.

As an alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility that the at least one holding means for holding a ski boot is designed differently in a heel area of the ski boot.

The heel holder preferably has two holding means for holding the ski boot in the heel region of the ski boot. In addition, the automatic heel unit preferably has a prestressable elastic prestressing element for generating a prestressing force and a transmission element for transmitting the prestressing force. The two holding means preferably each have an arm with a holding end and a holding element arranged at the holding end of the respective arm for holding the ski shoe in the heel area of the ski shoe, the two holding means being movable relative to one another, as a result of which a distance between the two holding elements can be changed, wherein the two holding elements can be pretensioned with a holding force to one another in order to cooperate in the holding configuration of the automatic heel unit with the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding and to hold the heel region of the ski boot down in the lowered position. In this case, each holding means preferably has a sleeve which can be displaced along the arm of the respective holding means, the transmission element being able to be pressed against the sleeves of the two holding means on account of the prestressing force generated by the elastic prestressing element preload both holding elements with the holding force to their holding distance. This has the advantage that when the two holding means move relative to one another, the sleeves can be displaced along the arm of the respective holding means, as a result of which the sleeves can be optimally positioned relative to the transmission element when the two holding means move relative to one another, so that the two holding elements are optimal can be biased with the holding force to their holding distance.

This advantage is achieved regardless of the further features of the automatic heel unit according to the invention described above. A second invention therefore relates to an automatic heel unit for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding, the automatic heel unit comprising a heel holder with two holding means for holding a ski boot in a heel region of the ski boot, a prestressable elastic prestressing element for generating a prestressing force and a transmission element for transmitting the prestressing force. The automatic heel unit according to this second invention has a downhill configuration in which the heel holder is in a holding position and the two holding means can interact with the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel region of the ski boot is held down in a lowered position. The two holding means each have an arm with a holding end and a holding element arranged at the holding end of the respective arm for holding the ski shoe in the heel region of the ski shoe, the two holding means being movable relative to one another, as a result of which a distance between the two holding elements can be changed, whereby the two holding elements can be pretensioned with a holding force to one another in order to cooperate with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding in the holding configuration of the automatic heel unit and to hold down the heel area of the ski boot in the lowered position. Each holding means has a sleeve which can be displaced along the arm of the respective holding means, the transmission element being able to be pressed against the sleeves of the two holding means on account of the prestressing force generated by the elastic prestressing element in order to pretension the two holding elements with the holding force at their holding distance.

Both an automatic heel unit according to the first invention and an automatic heel unit according to the second invention can have one or more of the features described below as preferred.

Preferably, the two holding elements are each formed by a pin, which points forward with its free end in order to engage in a recess in the heel area of the ski shoe in order to hold the ski boot in the heel area of the ski shoe.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the holding elements are designed differently.

Regardless of whether the two holding elements are each formed by a pin which points forward with its free end, the two holding elements can preferably be moved apart from their holding distance and thus away from their holding distance against the holding force. This has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can enable safety release in the forward direction in a simple manner.

The holding means are preferably each pivotably mounted in a region of an end of the respective arm opposite the holding end of the respective arm, in particular pivotably on the remaining heel holder.

As an alternative to this, there is also the possibility that the holding means are pivotably mounted in another area of the respective arm, in particular pivotable on the rest of the heel holder, or that the holding means are not pivotably but rather displaceably, in particular displaceably, mounted on the rest of the heel holder.

The holding means are preferably mounted so as to be movable relative to one another in a horizontal plane. For this purpose, the arms of the holding means are preferably pivotally or displaceably mounted in the horizontal plane. As an alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility that the holding means are mounted in a different manner relative to one another.

The holding means are advantageously each rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis of the respective arm, in particular rotatably on the rest of the heel holder. This has the advantage that it is easier to get into the automatic heel unit because the holding means are around the The longitudinal axis of the respective arm can rotate when a ski boot is passed over the holding means from top to bottom. In order to achieve this advantage, it is irrelevant whether the arms of the holding means are additionally pivotable or displaceable relative to one another or at most pivotably or displaceably mounted in the horizontal plane or not.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the holding means are not each rotatably supported about the longitudinal axis of the respective arm.

Preferably, the sleeves each have a first control structure, each of which interacts with a first control counter-structure of the heel holder, the sleeves with their first control structures being pressed against the first control counter-structures by the transmission element on account of the biasing force generated by the elastic biasing element in order to engage the two holding elements with the To bias holding force to their holding distance. This has the advantage that the two holding elements can be optimally pretensioned to the holding distance with the holding force. If the prestressing force generated by the elastic prestressing element is aligned along the arms of the holding means, on the one hand the prestressing element can be aligned along the arms of the holding means in a space-saving manner and on the other hand the sleeves can be displaced along the respective arm when the two holding means move relative to one another optimally position the sleeves relative to the transmission element, so that the two holding elements can be optimally pretensioned with the holding force to their holding distance. Accordingly, a space-saving mechanism for enabling a safety release in the forward direction is provided. The first control counter structures are particularly preferably arranged on a housing of the heel holder. Alternatively, however, there is also the possibility that the first control counter structures are arranged on another element of the heel holder.

The sleeves preferably each have a second control structure, which each cooperate with a second control counter-structure of the transmission element, the transmission element with its second control counter-structures against the second due to the biasing force generated by the elastic biasing element Control structures of the sleeves is pressed to bias the two holding elements with the holding force to their holding distance. It is possible that the sleeves each have only the first control structure described above, only the second control structure described above, or both the first control structure described above and the second control structure described above. Particularly preferably, the sleeves each have both the first control structure described above and the second control structure described above. This achieves the advantage that the two holding elements can be pretensioned with their holding force to their holding distance in a particularly effective manner, in that the pretensioning force generated by the elastic pretensioning element is deflected and / or under or translated particularly effectively into the holding force.

The prestressing force generated by the elastic prestressing element is preferably aligned along the arms of the holding means. Accordingly, the elastic biasing element is preferably also aligned along the arms of the holding means. Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the biasing force generated by the elastic biasing element is oriented differently. For example, the pretensioning force generated by the elastic pretensioning element can also be oriented vertically and thus perpendicular to the horizontal plane in which the arms of the two holding means are, if appropriate, pivotably or movably mounted.

The prestressing of the elastic prestressing element is preferably adjustable, with which the prestressing force generated by the elastic prestressing element can be set. This has the advantage that the holding force with which the two holding elements are pretensioned to their holding distance can be set, as a result of which a trigger value of the safety release made possible by the automatic heel unit can be set in the forward direction.

A ski binding preferably includes an automatic heel unit according to the invention. In a preferred variant of this, it is a touring ski binding. But it can also be a different type of ski binding.

A ski advantageously comprises a ski binding with an automatic heel unit according to the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1a, b, c

je eine Schrägansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Fersenautomaten für eine Skibindung, wobei der Fersenautomat einmal in einer Abfahrts-konfiguration, einmal in einer ersten Gehkonfiguration und einmal in einer zweiten Gehkonfiguration gezeigt ist,

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Fersenautomaten in der Abfahrts-konfiguration in einer Schrägansicht,

Fig. 3a, b

je eine Aufsicht auf einen horizontal ausgerichteten Querschnitt durch den Fersenautomaten auf einer Höhe eines elastischen Elements, eines ersten Stosselements und des zweiten Stosselements, wobei der Fersenautomat einmal in der Abfahrtskonfiguration und damit der Fersenhalter in seiner Haltestellung gezeigt ist und wobei der Fersenhalter einmal von seiner Haltestellung weg etwas nach links geschwenkt gezeigt ist,

Fig. 4a, b

je eine Ansicht eines vertikal ausgerichteten, in Skilängsrichtung verlaufenden Querschnitts durch den Fersenautomaten, wobei der Fersenautomat einmal in der Abfahrtskonfiguration und einmal in der zweiten Gehkonfiguration gezeigt ist,

Fig. 5a, b, c

je eine Untersicht auf einen horizontal ausgerichteten Querschnitt durch einen Fersenhalter des Fersenautomaten auf einer Höhe eines Mechanismus, durch welchen eine Vorspannung erzeugt wird, mit welcher zwei Haltemittel des Fersenhalters zueinander hin vorgespannt sind, und

Fig. 6

eine vereinfachte schematische Seitenansicht eines weiteren erfindungsgemässen Fersenautomaten.

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

1a, b, c

each an oblique view of an automatic heel unit according to the invention for a ski binding, the automatic heel unit being shown once in a downhill configuration, once in a first walking configuration and once in a second walking configuration,

Fig. 2

an exploded view of the automatic heel unit in the downhill configuration in an oblique view,

3a, b

a top view of a horizontally oriented cross section through the automatic heel unit at a height of an elastic element, a first pushing element and the second pushing element, the automatic heel unit being shown once in the downhill configuration and thus the heel holder in its holding position and the heel holder once from its holding position shown a little to the left,

4a, b

a view of a vertically oriented cross section running in the longitudinal direction of the ski through the automatic heel unit, the automatic heel unit being shown once in the downhill configuration and once in the second walking configuration,

5a, b, c

a bottom view of a horizontally oriented cross section through a heel holder of the automatic heel unit at a height of one Mechanism by means of which a prestress is generated, with which two holding means of the heel holder are prestressed towards one another, and

Fig. 6

a simplified schematic side view of a further automatic heel unit according to the invention.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

The Figures 1a, 1b and 1c each show an oblique view of an automatic heel unit 1 according to the invention for a ski binding. The automatic heel unit 1 is shown in such a way that the automatic heel unit 1 is at the top left in the figures at the front, while the automatic heel unit 1 is at the bottom right in the figures at the rear. Furthermore, the top and bottom of the automatic heel unit 1 are also located in the figures above and below.

The automatic heel unit 1 comprises a base unit 2 for fastening the automatic heel unit 1 on a surface of a ski, not shown here. Furthermore, the automatic heel unit 1 comprises a heel holder 3 with two holding means 4.1, 4.2 for holding a ski boot, not shown here, in a heel area of the ski boot. This heel holder 3 is pivotally mounted on the base unit 2 by a radial bearing about a vertically oriented, geometric pivot axis relative to the base unit 2 and is thus adjustable along an adjustment path. In addition, the automatic heel unit 1 comprises a ski brake 5 and a climbing aid 6.

In the Figure 1a the automatic heel unit 1 is shown in a downhill configuration. In this downhill configuration, the heel holder 3 is in a stop position. This means that the heel holder 3 is aligned in such a way that the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 can interact with the heel region of a ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel region of the ski boot is held down in a lowered position. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are formed by horizontally oriented pins which point forward with their free ends in order to fit into corresponding recesses in the heel region of the Engage ski boots to hold the heel area of the ski boot down in the lowered position. Thus, the holding means 4.1, 4.2 correspond to those in the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) described holding means. The two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are the same as in FIG EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) described heel automats biased towards each other. The mechanism by which this pretensioning is brought about and by which the automatic heel unit 1 enables a safety release in the forward direction differs in the present automatic heel unit 1 from the automatic heel unit according to FIG EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ). The mechanism of the present automatic heel unit 1 is described in more detail below.

In embodiments of the present invention, which differ from in the Figures 1a, 1b and 1c Different heel automat 1 shown, the heel automat can also be the one in the EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel ) described mechanism with which the two holding means are biased towards each other. The mechanism can also be designed differently. In addition, it is not necessary for the heel holder to comprise two holding means. For example, the heel holder can also comprise only one holding device or more than two holding devices. In addition, it is not necessary for the holding means to be designed as horizontally aligned pins. For example, the heel holder with the holding means as that in the EP 0 754 079 B1 (Fritschi AG ) described heel holder can be designed in the form of a cheek, which can grip around the sole of the ski shoe from the rear, reaching both to the side and above, slightly to the front, or the heel holder can, as in FIG EP 3 167 943 A1 (Fritschi AG ) described by a heel hold-down device and a forward heel support structure with two protruding projections that are elongated in the vertical direction.

In the Figure 1b the automatic heel unit 1 is shown in a first walking configuration. In comparison to the downhill configuration of the automatic heel unit 1, the heel holder 3 in this first walking configuration is pivoted 180 ° relative to the base unit 2 about the vertical pivot axis, so that the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 point with their free ends to the rear. As a result, the heel holder 3 is in a walking position and the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding is from the heel holder 3 released and can be lowered towards the ski until the heel area of the ski boot reaches a bearing plate of the ski brake 5, which is located in front of the heel holder 3, and is supported on this bearing plate. The heel area of the ski boot is not locked in the lowered position by the heel holder 3, but can instead be lifted away from the ski from the bearing plate. The automatic heel unit 1 thus enables the ski binding to function as a walker and is accordingly suitable for a touring ski binding, a cross-country binding or a telemark binding.

In the Figure 1b As already mentioned, the automatic heel unit 1 is shown in the first walking configuration. The climbing aid 6 is in a deactivated position. However, the climbing aid 6 can be swiveled forward about a horizontal axis from its deactivated position into an activated position, so that it is located in the swivel path of the heel area of the ski boot held in the front automatic of the ski binding and supports the heel area of the ski boot in a position above the bearing plate , If the climbing aid 6 is in this activated position, the automatic heel unit 1 is located as in FIG Figure 1c shown in a second walking configuration.

The Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the automatic heel unit 1 in the downhill configuration in an oblique view. As already in the Figures 1a, 1b and 1c the automatic heel unit 1 is shown so aligned that in the automatic heel unit 1 in the front Figure 2 is at the top left, while with the automatic heel unit 1 in the back Figure 2 is at the bottom right. Next are also at the top and bottom of the automatic heel unit 1 in the Figure 2 above and below.

In the Figure 2 it can be seen that the base unit 2 comprises several elements. The base unit 2 thus comprises a base plate 21 which can be attached to the ski. The base unit 2 further comprises a slide 22 which is mounted on the base plate 21 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski. There is also a longitudinal positioning arrangement between the carriage 22 and the base plate 21. The longitudinal positioning arrangement comprises, inter alia, a worm 23, which engages in a half thread on an upper side of the base plate 21, and a longitudinal compensation spring 24. By rotating the worm 23, the position of the slide 22 on the base plate 21 in the longitudinal direction of the ski can be known Can be adjusted in order to be able to adapt a position of the heel holder 3 to ski shoes of different sizes. Due to the longitudinal positioning arrangement, the carriage 22 is also biased forward in a known manner together with the heel holder 3 by the longitudinal compensation spring 24 and can be pressed back against this bias in order to change the distance between the automatic front unit and the heel holder 3, which occur when the heel bends Skis can arise to compensate.

On the carriage 22 there is a vertically aligned pin 25 which is concentrically aligned with the pivot axis and which is formed together with the carriage 22 in one piece. This pin 25 is hollow on the inside and has two front-facing first recesses and a rear-facing second recess in its lateral surface. In the first recesses, a first push element 27 is mounted in the pin 25 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski on the pin 25, while in the second recess a second push element 28 is mounted in the pin 25 so that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ski on the pin 25. An elastic element 26 is clamped between the first impact element 27 and the second impact element 28. The entire volume of the elastic element 26 is located in an inner volume of the pin 25. In other embodiments, however, there is also the possibility that, for example, only 70% or only 90% of the volume of the elastic element 26 is located in the inner volume of the pin 25.

The elastic element 26 is a spiral spring which is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Since the elastic element 26 is clamped between the first push element 27 and the second push element 28, the elastic element 26 generates a forwardly directed first force, due to which the first push element 27 is pressed forward. An alignment axis of the elastic element 26 aligned along the direction of the first force is thus aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski and thus perpendicular to the pivot axis. At the same time, the elastic element 26 generates a rearward-directed second force, due to which the second pushing element 28 is pressed backwards. The preload of the elastic element 26 and thus a strength of the first force and a strength of the second force can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 35.

The heel holder 3 is mounted on the pin 25 so that it can pivot about the pin 25 and thus about the pivot axis. The heel holder 3 comprises a housing 31 which comprises two parts. These two parts of the housing 31 are screwed together in the assembled state of the automatic heel unit 1 and form a downwardly oriented receptacle 32 into which the pin 25 is rotatably inserted. The pin 25 and the receptacle 32 thus form the radial bearing, by means of which the heel holder 3 is mounted on the base unit 2 so that it can pivot about the pivot axis relative to the base unit 2. The pivot axis runs concentrically through the pin 25 and through the receptacle 32.

The Figures 3a and 3b each show a top view of a horizontally oriented cross section through the automatic heel unit 1 at a height of the elastic element 26, the first push element 27 and the second push element 28. The automatic heel unit 1 is shown in FIG Figure 3a shown in the downhill configuration, where the heel holder 3 is in its stop position. In the Figure 3b on the other hand, the heel holder 3 is pivoted slightly to the left, starting from its holding position, so that the holding means 4.1, 4.2, which are not visible here, point to the front left.

In the Figures 3a and 3b It can be seen that the first impact element 27 comprises a first positioning structure 29 on its side facing away from the elastic element 26 and thus facing forward. Furthermore, it can also be seen that the second pushing element 28 comprises a second positioning structure 30 on its side facing away from the elastic element 26 and thus facing backwards. It can also be seen that a first counter structure 33 and a second counter structure 34 are located opposite one another on the inside of the receptacle 32. The first counter structure 33 is thus arranged in a first radial direction from the pivot axis, while the second counter structure 34 is arranged in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction from the pivot axis. If the automatic heel unit 1 is in the downhill configuration and thus the heel holder 3 is in the holding position, the first counter structure 33 is located at the front on the inside of the receptacle 32, while the second counter structure 34 is located on the inside on the inside of the receptacle 32.

As already mentioned, the elastic element 26 is clamped between the first push element 27 and the second push element 28. As a result, the elastic element 26 generates a forwardly directed first force, due to which the first pushing element 27 is pushed forward, and a rearward directed second force, due to which the second pushing element 28 is pressed backward. In the holding configuration of the automatic heel unit 1, the first push element 27 with the first positioning structure 29 is thus pressed against the first counter structure 33, while the second push element 28 with the second positioning structure 30 is pressed against the second counter structure 34. Since the elastic element 26 acts directly on the first pushing element 27 with the first force, the first pushing element 27 is pressed with the first positioning structure 29 against the first counterstructure 33 with a first pushing element force. Since the elastic element 26 also acts directly on the second pushing element 28 with the second force, the second pushing element 28 is pressed against the second counterstructure 34 with the second positioning structure 30 using a second pushing element force which is the same as the second force. In other embodiments, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit comprises a first deflection mechanism or a first lever mechanism which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the first force into the first pushing element force. Likewise, in other embodiments there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit comprises a second deflection mechanism or a second lever mechanism, which effects a deflection and / or a step-up or step-down of the second force into the second push element force. The possibly existing first deflection mechanism or first lever mechanism and the possibly existing second deflection mechanism or second lever mechanism can also be a combined mechanism.

Starting from its holding position, the heel holder 3 can be pivoted on both sides about the pivot axis. As already mentioned, the heel holder 3 can thus be adjusted along the adjustment path. When the heel holder 3 is in its holding position is located and if the heel holder 3 is pivoted somewhat about the pivot axis starting from its holding position on one of the two possible sides, then the heel holder 3 is in a first region of the adjustment path. With such a pivoting movement of the heel holder 3, the first counter structure 33 is tilted to the first positioning structure 29 within the first region of the adjustment path, while at the same time the second counter structure 34 is also tilted to the second positioning structure 30. The further the heel holder 3 is moved away from its holding position, the more the first push element 27 is moved toward the pivot axis against the bias of the elastic element 26 due to the shape of the first positioning structure 29 and the first counter structure 33. Likewise, the further the heel holder 3 is moved away from its holding position, the second pushing element 28 is moved further towards the pivot axis against the bias of the elastic element 26 due to the shape of the second positioning structure 30 and the second counterstructure 34. The heel holder 3 is therefore biased towards its holding position within the first region of the adjustment path. In addition, the heel holder 3 can be pivoted away from this holding position within the first range of the adjustment path against this bias on both sides. If a ski boot is thus held in the downhill configuration in the automatic heel unit 1, the heel holder 3 can be pivoted away from its holding position against the bias in the event of lateral impacts on the ski, the ski binding or the ski boot. If the energy of a shock exceeds a limit value, the heel holder 3 can be pivoted far enough about the pivot axis so that the ski boot on the corresponding side is released by the automatic heel unit 1. The automatic heel unit 1 thus enables a lateral safety release.

If the heel holder 3 is pivoted laterally away from its holding position beyond the first region of the adjustment path, then the first push element 27 and the second push element 28 are no longer moved against the bias of the elastic element 26 toward the pivot axis. Only when the heel holder 3 is pivoted further does the heel holder 3 reach a second region of the adjustment path, where the first counter structure 33 has reached the second positioning structure 30 of the second push element 28 and the second counter structure 34 has reached the first positioning structure 29 of the has reached the first impact element 27. In this second area of the adjustment path, the first push element 27 and the second push element 28 can be moved further apart again by the prestressed elastic element 26 with increasing pivoting movement of the heel holder 3 until the heel holder 3 has reached its walking position, where it is compared to its holding position is pivoted relative to the base unit 2 by 180 ° about the pivot axis. The heel holder 3 is thus biased toward its walking position within the second region of the adjustment path.

The Figures 4a and 4b each show a view of a vertically aligned cross section through the heel machine 1, which runs in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The heel machine 1 is shown in FIG Figure 4a shown in the downhill configuration while he is in Figure 4b is shown in the second walking configuration.

It can be seen in the figures how the elastic element 26 is clamped between the first push element 27 and the second push element 28. In addition, it can be seen that the adjusting screw 35 is supported to the rear on the second push element 28 and that a nut 36 is screwed onto the adjusting screw 35, which supports the elastic element 26 to the rear. A recess in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3, which is located on the side of the housing 31 opposite the holding means 4.1, 4.2 and is thus located in the downward configuration of the automatic heel unit 1, gives access to the adjusting screw 35 (see Figure 4a ). Therefore, in the downhill configuration of the automatic heel unit 1, the adjusting screw 35 can be rotated, as a result of which the nut 36 is moved along the adjusting screw 35 and the pretensioning of the elastic element 26 is adjusted. The energy which the automatic heel unit 1 can absorb until a lateral safety release occurs can thus be set.

As already mentioned, the pin 25 is hollow on the inside and has two front-facing first recesses and a rear-facing second recess in its outer surface. Through these recesses, the first thrust element 27 and the second thrust element 28 extend out of the pin 25 and can interact with their first positioning structure 29 or second positioning structure 30 as described above with the first counter structure 33 or with the second counter structure 34. In the Figures 2 and FIGS. 4a and 4b, it can also be seen that the pin 25 has at its proximal end and at its distal end a brim that extends over the lateral surface and extends away from the pivot axis. In the assembled state of the automatic heel unit 1, the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 engages around the upper brim and extends somewhat in the region of the lateral surface of the pin 25 towards the pivot axis towards the lateral surface. As a result, the heel holder 3 is held on the pin 25 in the axial direction. Thus, the radial bearing formed from the pin 25 and the recess 32 also forms an axial bearing. In other embodiments, however, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit has an axial bearing that is separate from the radial bearing. The axial bearing can be arranged, for example, seen from the pivot axis in the radial direction outside or inside the radial bearing.

As already mentioned, in the present exemplary embodiment of the automatic heel unit 1, the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are formed by horizontally oriented pins which point forward with their free ends in order to engage in corresponding recesses in the heel region of the ski shoe in order to lower the heel region of the ski shoe in the lowered region Hold down position. The two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are biased towards one another and can be pressed apart against this bias, whereby the automatic heel unit 1 enables a safety release in the forward direction. The mechanism by which this pretension is generated is arranged in the heel holder 3 above the pin 25.

The Figures 5a, 5b and 5c each show a bottom view of a horizontally oriented cross section through the heel holder 3 of the automatic heel unit 1 at a level of the mechanism by which the pretension is generated, with which the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are pretensioned toward one another. The two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are each shown with their free ends pointing to the left in the figures. If the automatic heel unit 1 is thus in the downhill configuration and the heel holder 3 is in its holding position and the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 thus point forward with their free ends, then the automatic heel unit 1 is on the left in the illustration, while the automatic heel unit 1 at the back of the illustration on the right. In Figure 5a the cross section shown runs through the two holding means 4.1, 4.2. In the Figures 5b and 5c however, the cross section runs at a height slightly below the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 through the heel holder 3. In the Figures 5a and 5b the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are shown at a holding distance from one another, while the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 in the Figure 5c are shown moving away from their stopping distance away from each other.

In the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c It can be seen that the two holding means 4.1, 4.2, as already mentioned, are formed by horizontally aligned pins, which in the holding position of the heel holder 3 point forward with their free ends in order to engage in corresponding recesses in the heel area of the ski shoe. The two holding means 4.1, 4.2 or the two pins can each be subdivided into an arm 41.1, 41.2 and a holding element 42.1, 42.2 for holding the ski shoe in the heel region of the ski shoe, the respective holding element 42.1, 42.2 at a holding end of the respective one Arms 41.1, 41.2 is arranged. The wording correspondingly also applies, according to which the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are each formed by a pin, which points forward with its free end in order to engage in a recess in the heel region of the ski shoe in order to hold the ski boot in the heel region.

The two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are each pivotably mounted on the remaining heel holder 3 in a region of an end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 opposite the holding end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2. For this purpose, the pins are held in the area of the end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 opposite the holding end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 in the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2. In addition, the pins each have a circumferential groove 44.1, 44.2 in the region of the end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 opposite the holding end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2, with a vertical bolt 43.1 for each holding means 4.1, 4.2 in the assembled state of the automatic heel unit 4.1 , 43.2 is inserted in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3, which extends through the groove 44.1, 44.2 in the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 and thereby the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2 on a movement of the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2 in the longitudinal direction of the arm 41.1, 41.2 of the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2 prevents. With that the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are each mounted in a region of the end of the respective arm 42.1, 42.2 opposite the holding end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 so as to be pivotable relative to one another on the remaining heel holder 3, as a result of which a distance between the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 can be changed. In addition, the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are each rotatably mounted on the remaining heel holder 3 about the longitudinal axis of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2.

In order to pretension the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 with a holding force at a holding distance from one another, the automatic heel unit 1 further comprises a transmission element 46 arranged in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 and an elastic prestressing element 47 also arranged in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 Holding means 4.1, 4.2 each have a sleeve 45.1, 45.2.

The elastic biasing element 47 is designed in the form of a spiral spring and is supported at a first end against a nut 52. This nut 52 is screwed onto a screw 53, which in turn is supported on an inside of the housing 31 of the heel holder 3. A position of the first end of the elastic prestressing element 47 within the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 can thus be adjusted by turning the screw 53. This makes it possible to adjust a bias of the elastic biasing element 47 because the elastic biasing element 47 is also supported at a second end against the transmission element 46. Therefore, the elastic prestressing element 47 presses against the transmission element 46 with a prestressing force that depends on the prestressing of the elastic prestressing element 47. Because of this prestressing force, the transmission element 46 acts on the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 with the prestressing force.

The two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 are each slidably mounted on the arm 41.1, 41.2 of the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2 in a region of the holding end of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2 in the longitudinal direction of the respective arm 41.1, 41.2. In addition, the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 are horizontally displaceable in the ski transverse direction in the housing 31 of the heel holder 3. Because of this mounting of the sleeves 45.1, 45.2 and due to the pivotable mounting of the arms 41.1, 41.2, the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are mounted so as to be movable relative to one another in a horizontal plane.

In order to pretension the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 with the holding force to the holding distance from one another, the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 each have a first control structure 48.1, 48.2 facing the holding element 42.1, 42.2 of the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2. These first control structures 48.1, 48.2 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal directions of the arms 41.1, 41.2 and run towards the center of the ski in the direction of the holding elements 42.1, 42.2. These first control structures 48.1, 48.2 face first control counterstructures 49.1, 49.2, which are arranged on an inside of a wall of the housing 31 of the heel holder 3 facing the holding elements 42.1, 42.2 and which are also inclined to the longitudinal directions of the arms 41.1, 41.2 and to the center of the ski run towards the holding elements 42.1, 42.2. Since the elastic biasing element 47 is aligned parallel to the arms 41.1, 41.2, the elastic biasing element 47 presses the transmission element 46 with the biasing force against the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2, as a result of which the sleeves 45.1, 45.2 with their first control structures 48.1, 48.2 against the first Control counter structures 49.1, 49.2 are pressed on the housing 31 of the heel holder 3. Because of the alignment of the first control structures 48.1, 48.2 and the first control counterstructures 49.1, 49.2, the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 are thereby biased towards one another. As a result, the two holding ends of the arms 41.1, 41.2 are also biased toward one another with the sleeves 45.1, 45.2, with the result that the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are biased towards one another at their holding distance with the holding force, so that the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 in the holding configuration of the Automatic heel unit 1 can interact with the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding and hold down the heel region of the ski boot in the lowered position, and thus the automatic heel unit 1 enables a safety release in the forward direction.

In order to optimize the transformation of the prestressing force into the holding force, the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 also each have a second control structure 50.1, 50.2 facing away from the holding element 42.1, 42.2 of the respective holding means 4.1, 4.2. These second control structures 50.1, 50.2 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal directions of the arms 41.1, 41.2 and run away from the holding elements 42.1, 42.2 towards the center of the ski. These second control structures 50.1, 50.2 face second control counter-structures 51.1, 51.2, which are arranged on the transmission element 47 and also opposite are inclined in the longitudinal directions of the arms 41.1, 41.2 and run away from the holding elements 42.1, 42.2 towards the center of the ski. Therefore, if the transmission element 47 is pressed with the prestressing force against the sleeves 45.1, 45.2, the two sleeves 45.1, 45.2 are thus not only due to the interaction of the first control structures 48.1, 48.2 with the first control counterstructures 49.1, 49.2, but also through the interaction of the second control structures 50.1, 50.2 with the second control counter-structures 51.1, 51.2 biased towards one another. The holding ends of the arms 41.1, 41.2 are thus biased towards one another, with the result that the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are biased toward one another with the holding force at their holding distance. The two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are accordingly located as in FIG Figures 5a and 5b shown in their holding distance from one another when the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are not pressed apart by an external force.

Due to the mechanics described above, the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 are not only pretensioned to their holding distance with the holding force, but are also as in FIG Figure 5c shown against the holding force apart from their holding distance and thus movable away from their holding distance. Thus, the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 for entry into the automatic heel unit 1 can be moved apart from one another by their holding distance if a ski boot for the entry into the automatic heel unit 1 is guided from top to bottom over the holding means 4.1, 4.2. In exactly the same way, the two holding elements 42.1, 42.2 can also be moved apart from their holding distance counter to the holding force if a force acting upwards on the ski boot or a force acting downwards on the automatic heel unit 1 or the ski is sufficiently large around the ski boot for a safety release in the forward direction from the automatic heel unit 1. A trigger value of this safety release can be set in the forward direction because the pretensioning force and thus also the holding force can be set by adjusting the screw 53.

Both entry into the automatic heel unit 1 and a safety release in the forward direction also take place in an optimally controlled manner, because the arms 41.1, 41.2 of the two holding means 4.1, 4.2 are each rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the respective arms 41.1, 41.2 remaining heel holder 3 and are rotatably mounted in the respective sleeve 45.1, 45.2, which minimizes frictional resistance of the ski boot on the holding means 4.1, 4.2.

Figure 6 shows a simplified schematic side view of a further automatic heel unit 101 according to the invention. This automatic heel unit 101 is essentially the same as that in FIGS Figures 1a to 5 Heel automat 1 shown constructs and comprises a base unit 102 for attachment to the surface of a ski, a heel holder 103 with at least one holding means 104 and a radial bearing, by means of which the heel holder 103 can be pivoted on the base unit 102 about a vertically oriented, geometric pivot axis relative to the base unit 102 is stored. In addition, the automatic heel unit 101 also comprises an elastic element 126 arranged in the pin 125, the alignment axis of which is oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis. Again, a first push element 127 and a second push element 128 are slidably mounted in the pin 125, the elastic element 126 being clamped between the first push element 127 and the second push element 128. In contrast to in the Figures 1a to 5 Heel automat 1 shown is in here Figure 6 heel automat 101 shown, however, the pin 125 is arranged on the heel holder 103, while the receptacle 132 is arranged on the base unit 102. In addition, the first counter structure 133 and the second counter structure 134 are assigned to the heel holder 103, while the first positioning structure 129 is still arranged on the first push element 127 and the second positioning structure 130 is also arranged on the second push element 128.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the base unit can be designed differently, for example in one piece. The heel holder can also be designed differently. For example, instead of the pins as holding means, a jaw can also be used as holding means. It is also not necessary that the radial bearing also form an axial bearing. For example, the automatic heel unit can also comprise an axial bearing which is formed separately from the radial bearing.

In summary, it can be stated that an automatic heel unit is created which is of compact construction and at the same time enables the heel holder to be stably supported on the base element.

Claims (15)

Automatic heel unit (1, 101) for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding, comprising a. a base unit (2, 102) for attachment to the surface of a ski, b. a heel holder (3, 103) with at least one holding means (4.1, 4.2, 104) for holding a ski boot in a heel area of the ski boot, the automatic heel unit (1, 101) having a downhill configuration in which the heel holder (3, 103) is in a holding position and the at least one holding means (4.1, 4.2, 104) can interact with the heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the heel area of the ski boot is held down in a lowered position, c. a radial bearing, by means of which the heel holder (3, 103) is mounted on the base unit (2, 102) so as to be pivotable relative to the base unit (2, 102) about a substantially vertically oriented, geometrical pivot axis and thus, starting from its stop position, along an adjustment path the pivot axis can be pivoted away from its holding position, the radial bearing having a pin (25, 125) which is formed on a first of the two units comprising the base unit (2, 102) and heel holder (3, 103), and the radial bearing is a receptacle (32, 132), which is formed on a second of the two units comprising the base unit (2, 102) and heel holder (3, 103), the pin (25, 125) being rotatably inserted into the receptacle (32, 132) whereby the heel holder (3, 103) is mounted on the base unit (3, 103) so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the base unit (2, 102), and d. a pretensioning device, by means of which the heel holder (3, 103) can be pretensioned in a first region of the adjustment path towards its holding position, the pretensioning device comprising a first push element (27, 127) with a first positioning structure (29, 129) and an elastic element ( 26, 126), the first thrust element (27, 127) due to an elastic element (26, 126) and along an alignment axis of the elastic element (26, 126) first force oriented in a first direction with the first positioning structure (29, 129) can be pressed against a first counter structure (33, 133) when the heel holder (3, 103) is in the first region of the adjustment path pre-tension the heel holder (3, 103) in the first area of the adjustment path towards its holding position, characterized in that the elastic element (26, 126) is arranged in the pin (25, 125) and the alignment axis of the elastic element (26, 126) is aligned perpendicular to the pivot axis and in that the first counter structure (33, 133) of the second of the is assigned to both units comprising the base unit (2, 102) and the heel holder (3, 103). Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first push element (27, 127) is mounted in the pin (25, 125) so as to be movable radially to the pivot axis. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pretensioning device comprises a second push element (28, 128) with a second positioning structure (30, 130), the second push element (28, 128) due to one of the elastic Element (26, 126) generated and along the alignment axis of the elastic element (26, 126) in a direction opposite to the first direction, second force aligned with the second positioning structure (30, 130) against one of the second of the two units from the base unit ( 2, 102) and heel holder (3, 103) associated second counter structure (34, 134) can be pressed when the heel holder (3, 103) is in the first region of the adjustment path around the heel holder (3, 103) in the first region of the Pretension adjustment path to its stop position. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first push element (27, 127) is arranged on a first side of the elastic element (26, 126) and in that the second push element (28, 128) on one of the first Side of the elastic element (26, 126) opposite, second side of the elastic element (26, 126) is arranged. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the first counter-structure (33, 133) is arranged in a first radial direction as seen from the pivot axis and that the second counter-structure (34, 134) is arranged from the Seen pivot axis is arranged in a second radial direction opposite to the first radial direction. Automatic heel unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first of the two units from the base unit (2) and the heel holder (3) is the base unit (2) and that the second of the two units from the base unit (2) and Heel holder (3) is the heel holder (3). Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the radial bearing also forms an axial bearing. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the heel holder (3, 103) is in its holding position in the first region of the adjustment path . Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to claim 8, characterized in that when the heel holder (3, 103) is in the first region of the adjustment path, a first distance between the first positioning structure (29, 129) and the pivot axis depends on the position of the heel holder (3, 103) is on the adjustment path, the first distance being smaller the further the heel holder (3, 103) is from its stop position on the adjustment path. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the heel holder (3, 103) can be pivoted away from its holding position in both directions about the pivot axis, starting from its holding position along the adjustment path . Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the automatic heel unit (1, 101) has a walking configuration in which the heel holder (3, 103) is in a walking position and the The heel area of the ski boot held in the ski binding is released by the heel holder (3, 103) and can be lowered towards the ski until the heel area of the ski shoe touches the automatic heel unit (1, 101) or the ski and can be lifted off the ski again, without being locked in the lowered position by the heel holder (3, 103). Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the automatic heel unit (1, 101) enables a safety release. Automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to claim 12, characterized in that the automatic heel unit (1, 101) enables a lateral safety release. Ski binding with an automatic heel unit (1, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 13. Ski with a ski binding according to claim 14.

Images