EP3799939A1

EP3799939A1 - Adapter part for a cross country ski binding

Info

Publication number: EP3799939A1
Application number: EP20396002.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antti-Jussi Tiitola
Original assignee: Oac Finland Oy
Current assignee: Oac Finland Oy
Priority date: 2019-04-15
Filing date: 2020-04-14
Publication date: 2021-04-07
Also published as: FI12458U1

Abstract

An adapter part fastenable to a ski binding (12, 16), in which adapter part, a common boot (14) is fastenable by general fasteners, such as adjustable strap arrangements (2-5), included in said adapter part. The adapter part includes a bottom plate (1) the lower surface of which is designed fittable on top of commonly used ski bindings (12, 16) and which bottom plate (1) is provided with a bar (10) located at the toe of bottom plate, via which bar (10), the bottom plate (1) is fastenable to a fastening mechanism (12) of the ski binding and said strap arrangement (2-5) is fastened to said bottom plate (1).

Description

Background of invention

The invention relates to an adapter part connectable to a ski binding, in which adapter part, a conventional boot is fastenable by general fasteners, such as adjustable strap arrangements, included in said adapter part.
The basic structure of all modern cross-country ski bindings is similar to each other. In them, the boot is fastened to the binding via a bar at the toe of the boot sole. The bar and a locking mechanism of the binding form a pivot. The motion of the pivot is controlled by means of a rubber spring which provides the desired motion resistance and ski control for skiing. Additionally, a profiled rail is fastened on the surface of the ski, and the sole of the boot is designed to fit this rail. This provides the lateral control between the ski and the boot.
A problem for the user is that, if the boot and the ski are made by different manufacturers, their forms of surface profile differ from each other. Similarly, the position of the fastening bar and the mechanics of the fastening are different. Due to this, the user must always purchase matching ski bindings and ski boots. This causes great problems particularly in families with children if different brands of ski gear have been purchased for different people. As children grow and their boot size increases, the older brother's or sister's boots do not fit to the little brother's skis and the like. This problem is especially great e.g. when pupils ski at school. Teachers complain that most of the time reserved for skiing is spent finding fitting skis for boots.

Brief description of invention

In the arrangement according to the invention, an adapter for a common boot has been developed, whereby common winter boots, hiking boots or training shoes can be used as ski boots. The invention is characterised by the adapter part including a bottom plate the lower surface of which is designed fittable on top of commonly used ski bindings and which bottom plate is provided with a bar located at the toe of the bottom plate, via which bar, the bottom plate is fastenable to a fastening mechanism of the ski binding and by said strap arrangement being fastened to said bottom plate.
An advantage of the invention is that, when using the adapter, it is possible to go skiing with common footwear and the fastening of the footwear is rather quick even though having to make adjustments. If the school or the pupil purchases adaptor parts according to the invention, it is much easier for the pupils of the school to go skiing even though they have no skis of their own.

Detailed description of some embodiments of invention

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Fig. 1 shows an oblique bottom view of an adapter fastenable to a ski binding.
Fig. 2 shows an oblique top view of the adapter according to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows the adapter fastened to the ski and the boot at the end of a skiing kick.
Fig. 4 shows the case of Fig. 3 the adapter and the boot in the skiing kick position.

Fig. 1 shows an adapter according to the invention which consists of a flexible bottom plate 1. The lower surface of the bottom plate is designed such that it is suitable for use together with all boot-guiding profiles 16 of ski bindings in the market. The toe of the bottom plate 1 includes a bar 10 which fits in fastening mechanisms 12 of all ski bindings.
Fig. 2 shows in more detail that on edges 7 of the bottom plate 1 are formed rails such that a heel part 6 of the adapter can be moved supported by the rails. The moving heel part 6 is locked in a position required by the boot size by means of a locking lever 8. A boot 14 is fastened to the bottom plate 1 by commonly known fastening methods, such as plastic straps 5, tightening clamps 4 or hook-and-loop straps.
Fig. 3 shows the adapter fastened to a binding 12, 16 of a ski 15. Further is shown a common boot 14 which is inside a strap arrangement 2-5 of the adapter. The boot 14 is shown in the skiing kick position, whereby the adaptor and the boot 14 are both turned around the bar 10 of the adapter which bar is locked to the binding mechanism 12. Fig. 3 shows how the boot turns around the bar 10 at the end stage of the skiing kick and, at the same time, a contact part 11 (Figs. 1 and 2) included in the toe of the adaptor starts to press against a rubber spring 13 included in the binding mechanism 12. The rubber spring decelerates the excessive turning of the boot 14 and stabilises skiing.
When using the ski binding 12, 16, all boots 14 operate like normal ski boots. In the initial phase of a skiing push when the skier's weight focuses on the ball of the foot, the flexible bottom plate 1 bends together with the sole of the boot 14.

Claims

An adapter part fastenable to a ski binding (12, 16), in which adapter part, a common boot (14) is fastenable by general fasteners, such as adjustable strap arrangements (2-5), included in said adapter part, characterised in that the adapter includes a bottom plate (1) the lower surface of which is designed fittable on top of commonly used ski bindings (12, 16) and which bottom plate (1) is provided with a bar (10) located at the toe of bottom plate, via which bar (10), the bottom plate (1) is fastenable to a fastening mechanism (12) of the ski bindings and in that said strap arrangement (2-5) is fastened to said bottom plate (1).
An adapter according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom plate (1) is flexible.
An adapter part according to claim 1, characterised in that the strap arrangement (2-5) includes a fastening element (6-9), a heel part (6) of which is movable in a rail formed by edges (7) of the bottom plate (1) and that the heel part (6) is lockable to the bottom plate (1) in different positions according to the size of the boots (14).
An adapter part according to claim 1, characterised in that the toe of the bottom plate (1) includes a contact part (11) which turns against a rubber spring (13) as the boot (14) and the heel of the bottom part (1) rise up.