FR2610836A1 - Binding for cross-country ski - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a binding intended to provide the link between a cross-country ski boot and a cross-country ski. Common elastic stressing means, including a stirrup piece (clevis) 79 mounted so as to swivel on a member 27 for articulated linking of a front end zone 6 of the boot 5 with the ski 1, and means 101 for energising the stirrup piece (clevis) 79, ensure both the removable securing of the boot 5 to the linking member 27 and the return of the latter towards a position of bearing of the boot 5 flat on the ski 1. The binding 4 has a low height and a low movable mass.

Description

 The present invention relates to a binding for cross-country skiing.

More specifically, it relates to improvements to a known binding, intended to ensure the connection between a cross-country ski boot and a cross-country ski and comprising for this purpose
- at least one support member,
a member for connecting an anterior end zone of the shoe with the support member, said link member being journalled on the support member, around a first transverse axis,
- abutment means for limiting the rotation of the connecting member in a first determined direction, around the first axis, relative to the support member, so as to define a preferred angular position of the connecting member relative to the support member, said first direction being oriented from front to back above the first axis,
- A locking member of a zone of ex anterior end of the boot with the connecting member, said locking member being mounted to pivot on the connecting member, around a second transverse axis, between two positions respectively ae joining and releasing a front end zone of the shoe with respect to the connecting member, the passage from the release position to the joining position being effected by rotation of the locking member in a second determined direction, around the second axis, with respect to the connecting member, said second direction being oriented back and forth above the second axis,
means for direct elastic biasing of the locking member in said second direction and indirect elastic biasing, via the locking member, for a connecting member in said first direction.

 This known attachment, described by the Applicant in its French patent application NO 85 17775 of December 2, 1985, comprises as means of direct elastic biasing of the locking member and indirect elastic biasing of the connecting member, a elastically compressible member acting elastically between the connecting member, by means of the locking member, and a counterpart member itself articulated on the support member; the counterpart member guides the elastically compressible member, which rests on the locking member by means of a cam track, which makes it possible to reach the locking position or the position release by pivoting of the assembly formed by the counterpart member -and the elastically compressible member and sliding of the latter on the locking member.

 This design of the means of direct elastic biasing of the locking member and indirect of the connecting member has a number of drawbacks.

 One of these drawbacks is that the elastically compressible member and the counterpart constitute above the ski an assembly which moves relative to the ski during each movement of extension of the foot, that is to say that is to say permanently during the practice of cross-country skiing, and which has a significant mass and inertia, favorably influencing the dynamics of the binding and of the ski as a whole.

 Another disadvantage lies in the fact that it is essential to respect a rigorous geometry at the level of the support of the elastically compressible member on the locking member, in order to be able to bring the latter into the locking position or into the release position by a simple controlled movement, with respect to the ski, of the assembly formed by the counterpart member and the elastically compressible member; this precision can be obtained without difficulty during manufacture, which however makes it delicate and consequently expensive; in addition, this need for great precision makes the binding particularly vulnerable to the consequences of wear and tear inevitably occurring, in particular at the level of the support of the elastically compressible member on the locking member.

The purpose of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and, to this end, the present invention provides a binding for cross-country skiing of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that the means oe Elastic restraint comprise
- a stirrup mounted journalling on the connecting member, around a third transverse axis, between a first limit position in which it rests on a first zone of the locking member in the fastening position, in a third direction determined going back and forth above the third axis and in said second direction, and a second limit position in which it is supported on a second zone of the locking member in the release position, in the opposite direction to said third direction and in opposite direction of said second direction,
- Caliper energizing means, elastically urging the caliper in said third direction, in the first limit position and in positions of the caliper close to said first limit position.

 This keeps the advantage, already existing in the known attachment described above, of the use of common elastic biasing means for both retaining the locking member in the fastening position and ensuring the elastic return of the connection to the aforementioned preferred angular position, corresponding in practice to pressing the boot flat on the ski; however, the design, according to the invention, of the elastic biasing means makes it possible to reduce practically to the mass of the stirrup the mass of these means which is movable with the connecting member during the movements of extension of the foot, that is to say in practice to make the influence of these elastic biasing means on the mass and the inertia of the parts of the binding which are movable relative to the ski during the practice of cross-country skiing impossible .

 In addition, the fact that the retention of the locking member in a position for securing the anterior end zone of the shoe and the biasing of the abutment member towards the preferred angular position of support of the boot flat on the ski resulting from an elastic stress on the stirrup when rotating does not require great precision in terms of the mutual support of the stirrup and the locking member, which lends itself to a economical to manufacture and makes the effectiveness of the fastening almost independent of its wear.

 According to an advantageous embodiment of the fixing according to the invention, the means for energizing the stirrup blastically urge the stirrup in the opposite direction to said third direction, in said second limit position and in positions of the stirrup close to said second limit position; thus, by manual action on the stirrup, for example by means of a ski pole, the latter can be brought at will to one or the other of two stable positions, one of which corresponds to the securing the shoe with the connecting member and the other of which corresponds to the release of the shoe.

 In a particularly simple manner, the means for energizing the stirrup advantageously comprise at least one link articulated on the stirrup around a fourth transverse axis, means for guiding said link relative to the support member, at longitudinal sliding and in rotation about a fifth transverse axis, and means of elastic biasing of said rod in longitudinal sliding relative to the support member; then, the positions of the locking member corresponding to the securing and to the release of the anterior zone of the shoe are made easily stable, respectively, if an arrangement such as the fourth axis defines a toggle joint with the fifth and third axes. at least in said preferred angular position of the connecting member.

 When the positions of the locking member corresponding respectively to the securing and to the release of the anterior zone of the boot constitute stable positions, it is easy to carry out an automatic flush attachment by providing that the locking member has an area biasing by the anterior zone of the shoe in said second direction, in the release position; then, the natural movement of the boot fitting causes the locking member to be urged towards the securing position, and the locking member to move to this position under the action of the elastic urging means, transmitted by the 'middle of the stirrup.

 Preferably, although other arrangements may also be adopted, the fourth axis is permanently located at a level higher than that of the first axis and, at least in said first limit position of the stirrup, at a level higher than that the third axis; then, to obtain the aforementioned toggle effect, the third axis is permanently located at a level higher than that of the first axis and the fourth axis is located at an intermediate level between the respective levels of the first and third axes at least in said second limit position of the stirrup.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the binding according to the invention will emerge from the description below, relating to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, as well as from the appended drawings which form an integral part of this description.

 - Figure 1 shows, in side elevation, a binding according to the invention while the link member occupies said preferred angular position, in which the boot lies flat on the ski, the locking member occupies the position of fastening of the front end of the shoe with the connecting member, and the stirrup rests on the locking member in said first limit position, corresponding to the maintenance of the locking member in the fixing position of the 'anterior end of the shoe with the connecting member and with elastic retaining of the latter, via the locking member, in said preferred angular position.

 - Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view, shown schematically by a line II-II in Figure 1.

 - Figures 3, 4, 5 show, in the same position as in Figure 1, respectively the connecting member, the locking member and the bracket of the fastener according to the invention.

 FIG. 6 shows, in an exploded view, in perspective, the essential constituents of this fixing in an orientation corresponding to that which they occupy in FIGS. 1 to 5.

 - Figure 7 shows a view of the binding, in side elevation, while the connecting member occupies the aforementioned privileged position and that the locking member and the stirrup occupy their position corresponding to the release of the shoe; the latter is illustrated in a position prior to fitting the binding.

 - Figure 8 shows, in a view similar to that of Figures 7 and 8, the attachment in the shod state during an extension movement of the foot, the connecting member oc cupant a position angularly offset from said privileged position while the locking member and the stirrup occupy their respective positions corresponding to the connection of the anterior end of the shoe with the connecting member.

 In Figures 1, 2, 7, 8, there is illustrated a central section of a ski 1 lying flat on a horizontal surface, in a normal position of use; a normal longitudinal direction of travel has been designated by 2.

of this ski, this direction being horizontal in this example, and by 3 a median longitudinal plane, vertical in this example, which plane constitutes for the entire ski 1 as for the binding 4 a longitudinal plane of symmetry.

 Subsequently, as elsewhere in the foregoing, the concepts of longitudinality, transversality, front, rear are understood by reference to the longitudinal direction 2 and the median longitudinal plane 3; the notions of level are understood for their part by reference to the position of the ski 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8 but must be considered as indications of relative level, implying no limitation as to the position in which the binding according to the invention can work.

 In FIGS. 1, 7, 8, a front end zone 6 of a boot 5 has also been illustrated, which front end zone 6 is linked to the central zone, illustrated, of the ski 1 by means of attachment 4 in Figures 1 and 8.

 In a manner known per se and by way of nonlimiting example, in its illustrated central zone, the ski 1 has an approximately planar and horizontal lower face 7, perpendicular to the plane 3, two approximate side edges 8 and 9, are planar and vertical. , symmetrical to each other with respect to plane 3 and delimiting in the direction of a distance from this plane 3 the lower face 7, which these edges 8, 9 connect, upwards, to two bands 10 , 11 of upper face, approximately planar, coplanar and horizontal, symmetrical with each other with respect to plane 3; the two bands 10 and 11 are delimited by their connection with the edges 8 and 9 in the direction of an el elation with respect to the plane 3 and are connected, in the direction of approximation with respect thereto, to two sides 12, 13 of a longitudinal rib 14 forming an integral part of ski 1 and projecting above the upper face strips 10 and 17 of this ski; the two faces 12 and 13 are plane, mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 3 and oblique with respect to the latter, so as to converge mutually upwards, where they are connected to an upper face 15, approximately planar and horizontal, the rib 14 for communicating therewith a trapezoidal section, in the example illustrated; this example is in no way limiting and one could communicate to the rib 14 any other section, just as one could provide this rib 14 in the form of an integral part on the ski 1.

As is known per se, the rib 14 is intended to cooperate with a complementary groove 16 arranged in a sole zone of the shoe 5, in particular in the anterior end zone 6 thereof, so that
the boot 5 can in particular occupy with respect to the ski 1 the position illustrated in FIG. 1, in which it rests flat on the ski, by the upper face strips 10 and 11 on either side of the rib 14 and / or by the upper face 15 thereof and / or by the side faces 12 and 13 thereof, and in which the groove 16 conforms as precisely as possible to the rib 14 so as to then avoid any possibility of sliding of the boot relative to the ski in a direction perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 thereof, and that
such cooperation of the groove 16 with the rib 14 is preserved, more locally, when the heel is raised relative to the ski by means of an extension of the foot during the practice of cross-country skiing, as shown in FIG. 8, to facilitate subsequent return to the previously described position illustrated in Figure 1.

 This mode of cooperation of a rib of a ski and a groove of a shoe is known to those skilled in the art, as are the characteristics of shape and dimension making it possible to access it, which will not be this fact not described further.

 However, the binding 4 will now be described, intended to maintain a connection between the anterior end zone 6 of the boot 5 and the ski 1 during such relative movements, by exclusively allowing rotation of the boot 5 relative to the ski 1 around a transverse axis 16, that is to say perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, which axis 16 is fixed with respect to the ski 1 as with respect to the boot 5 and situated at an intermediate level between that of the upper surface 15 of the rib 14 and that of the upper surface bands 10 and 11 of the ski 1 so as to cut the rib 14, for example at mid-height thereof.

To this end, the binding 4 comprises, in the nonlimiting example illustrated, a support member 17 secured to the rib 14 of the ski 1, for example by screwing, not shown, and being for example in the form of a rigid plate folded.
- Marry the faces 12, 13, 15 of the rib 14 in a localized area of the latter, presenting parallel to each of these faces 12, 13, 15 a respective flat face turned in the direction of a distance from the rib 14, namely a side face 18, a side face 19 and an upper face 20, respectively
- Furthermore, in a solid manner, projecting from the faces 18 and 19 respectively in the direction of a distance from the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, two bosses 21, 22 located around the axis 19 and whose each is delimited in particular upwards by a coplanar extension of the face 20 and, in the direction of a distance with respect to the plane 3, by a respective plane face 23, 24 parallel to the plane 3, with respect to which the faces 23 and 24 are mutually symmetrical, and connecting perpendicularly downward respectively to the upper face strip 10 and to the upper face strip 11.

 Cantilevered respectively above the upper face strip 10 and above the upper face strip 11, each of the bosses 21, 22 integrally carries a respective pin 25, 26 having a shape of revolution around axis 16 to define the latter with respect to ski 1.

 It will be noted that other modes of defining the faces 23 and 24 and the pins 25 and 26 relative to the ski 1 could be chosen without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example as a function of a different shape of the rib 14 or of a possible absence of the latter at the axis 16.

 The two pins 25 and 26 are extended respecti velrent to a coplanar geometrical extension of the edge 8 and to a coplanar geometric extension of the edge 9 and provide the swivel mounting around the axis 16, relative to the member support 17 and relative to the ski 1, of a rigid member 27 for connection between the anterior end zone 6 of the boot 5 and the ski 1, which connection member 27 will now be described more particularly with reference to the figures 1, 2, 3, 6.

 In the example illustrated, this connecting member 27 has the shape of a yoke overlapping the rib 14 and the support member 17; for this purpose, the connecting member 27 comprises two wings 28, 29 of generally flat shape, mutually parallel and symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane 3, which wings 28, 29 run alongside the support member 17 laterally, respectively on either side of the rib 14, and are connected above the support member 17 by means of a core 30 also having a generally flat shape with a general orientation perpendicular to the plane 3.

 One towards the other, the two wings 28 and 29 have respective faces 31, 32 plane, mutually parallel, symmetrical with each other with respect to the plane 3, and these faces 31 and 32 are spaced apart from each other. '' a distance substantially coinciding with the distance separating the respective faces 23 and 24 from the localized bosses 21, 22, so that a sliding contact is established respectively between the face 31 and the face 23 and between the face 32 and the face 24; the axis 16 is also intersecting faces 31 and 32 in each of which opens a bore such as 33 arranged in the respectively corresponding wing 28, 29, which bore 33 has a shape of revolution around the axis 16 to receive respectively the pin 25 or pin 26 and ensure, by complementarity of form, the guiding of the connecting member 27 to rotation about the axis 16 relative to the support member 17 without other possibility of relative movement.

 Between the wings 28 and 29, at a level higher than that of the bores such as 33! the core 30 of the connecting member 27 has downward, that is to say facing the upper face 20 of the support member 17, a lower face 34 plane, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 ski 1, in an area located behind the axis 16 and at a distance from this axis substantially identical to the distance between the upper face 20 of the support member 17.and this axis 16 so that the face 34 of the core 30 can bear on the face 20 of the support member 17, as illustrated in Figure 1, to define by such support a preferred angular position of the connecting member 27 relative to the support member 17, corresponding to a limit of rotation of the connecting member 27 relative to the support member 17 in a direction 35 going back and forth above the axis 16.

 Towards the front, slightly behind the axis 16 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the face 34 is connected to a front face 36 of the friend 30, which face 36, also located between the faces 31 and 32 wings 28 and 29, is also perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of ski 1 but ascending towards the front from its connection with face 34, so that from the position illustrated in FIG. 1, l the connecting member 27 can pivot in a direction 37 opposite to the direction 35, about the axis 16, relative to the support member 17, and thus gain another angular position illustrated in FIG. 8, offset for example by 45 in the direction 37 with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

 Naturally, the wings 28 and 29 have respective edges 38, 39 whose shape is such that they do not constitute an obstacle to the rotation of the connecting member 27 relative to the support member 17 and relative to the ski 1 between its two angular positions illustrated in Figures 1 and 8 respectively; for example, the edges 38 and 39, defined by generatrices perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski, have respective lower faces in front of the axis 16 such as 40 parallel to the lower face 34 of the core 30, with a level lower than that of the axis 16 and such that these faces such as 40 rest on the strips of upper faces such as 10, 11 of the ski 1 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1; towards the front, these edges have respective front faces such as 41 as for them parallel to the face 36, in front of the latter and in front of the axis 16 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and these faces such as 41 are connected to the faces such as 40 by a face such as 42 of cylindrical casing of revolution around the axis 16; naturally, other shapes could also be adopted for this purpose for the edges 38 and 39 without departing from the scope of the present invention; if one refers to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the faces such as 41 of the edges 38, 39 of the wings 28, 29 are connected forwards and upwards to the respective edges of edges such as 43, also planar and perpendicular to the median loncstudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, and as for them ascending towards the rear from their connection with the faces 41, thus converging upwards with the face 36 of the core 30; along a same straight line perpendicular to the plane 3, the face 36 and the faces such as 43 are thus connected upwards to a flat upper face 44 of the connecting member 27, which is parallel to the lower face 34 of the core 30 whereas, towards the rear, if one refers for example to FIG. 1; the core 30 as well as the wings 28 and 29 are delimited by the same flat face 45, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the ski 1 and ascending forwards in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, with a softened edge 46 , 47 for connection with the faces such as 40 descents 38 and 39 of the wings 28 and 29, to a rectilinear edge 48, perpendicular to the plane 3, by which the face 45 is connected upwards and towards the front to the face 44 .

 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, this rear face 45 delimiting towards the rear the whole of the connecting member 27 is intended to serve as support forwards and downwards, in a manner known in itself, for a face 49 provided additionally on the anterior end 6 of the shoe 5, in a wise shoe position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8.

In a manner also known per se and for
cooperate with the anterior end zone 6 of the shoe 5 in the boot position, the connecting member 27 bears integrally, projecting above its face 44 in the immediate vicinity of the edge 48 connecting with the face 45, a flat tongue 50, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1 with respect to which it is symmetrical; this tongue 50 has for example a trapezoidal shape, converging upwards, when it is seen in a plane perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, and it is ascending towards the rear in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 of way to present towards the rear, above the face 45 of the connecting member 27, a flat face 51 also ascending towards the rear in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, to serve as a support towards the forward and upward to a face 52 provided additionally on the anterior end 6 of the shoe 5, above the face 49; forwardly, parallel to the face 51, the tongue 50 has a second flat face 53 having itself, in the immediate vicinity of the connection of the tongue 50 with the face 44 of the connecting member 27, two symmetrical bosses 154 one from the other with respect to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1 so that when the faces 49 and 52 of the anterior end zone 6 of the boot 5 are pressed against the faces 45 and 51, respectively , corresponds to a support, on the localized bosses 54, of a rectilinear bar 155, then perpendicular to the plane 3, that the zone a'extrérr ;; ity anterior 6 of the shoe 5 carries integrally, projecting in front of the face 52, for example in the form of a section of an arch 156, moreover having two branches 157 symmetrical to one another with respect to the plane 3 and approximately horizontal in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, which branches 757 connect the section 155, in an integral manner, to the zone of th x anterior end 6 of the shoe 5 and are placed respectively on either side of the tongue 50 in the boot position by abutting laterally on this tongue 50 so as to then prevent movement of the shoe in a direction perpendicular to the median ongitudinal plane 3 of the ski, relative to the connecting member 27.

Also projecting above the upper face 44 but in the immediate vicinity of the junction of this face 44 with the face 43, the connecting member 27 integrally carries two bosses 54, 55 respectively disposed on either side from the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, symmetrically to one another with respect to this plane; the two bosses 54 and 55 are pierced with respective bores 56, 57 having a shape of revolution around the same axis 58 parallel to the axis 16 and located, in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, at a level higher than that of the axis 16 as well as that of the face 44 of the connecting member 27, slightly in front of the vertical alignment of the axis 16; by these two bores 56 and 57, the two bosses 54 and 55 receive integrally two end zones of a rectilinear rod 59 arranged along the axis 58 and thus having between the two bosses 54 and 55 a central zone
By this central zone, the rod 59 ensures the swiveling mounting, around the axis 58, relative to the connecting member 27, of a rigid locking member 60, suitable for thus occupying relative to the member
link 27 a position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, in
which it integrates with the connecting member 27 the
section155 of the rollbar156 of the anterior end zone
re 6 of shoe 5, that is to say this anterior zone
6 itself, and a position illustrated in FIG. 7 in
which the locking member 60 occupies a position
suitable for heaving, by releasing the section
con 155 of the roll bar 156 upwards with respect to the member
link 27, or the boot by engagement of the arch 156 from top to bottom on the tongue 50.

For reasons of simplicity, the
lock 60 will be described essentially in its po
connection of the anterior end zone
re 6 of shoe 5 with connecting member 27, occu
pant itself relative to the ski its angular position
of support of the face 34 on the face 20 of the support member
17, corresponding to the support of the shoe flat on the
skiing; this position is illustrated in Figure 1 as well
than in Figures 2, 4 and 6.

If we refer to these figures, we see that
the locking member 60 present between the two bosses
ges 54, 55 an anterior beak 61 pierced along the axis 58,
a bore 62 of revolution around this axis 58 to re
receive the rod 59 and ensure the swiveling mounting of
the locking member 60 relative to the connecting member
sound 27; to receive the bill 61 and authorize its evolution
tion, with the entire locking member 60, between
the securing position of the anterior end zone
shoe 6 of shoe 5 with link member 27 and
the release position of the anterior end zone
6 of the shoe 5, the connecting member 27 is hollowed out between the bosses 54 and 55, by its face 36 and its face 44, of a recess 63 delimited on the one hand by two plane faces such as 64, mutually parallel and symmetrical to each other with respect to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski, and on the other hand by a face 65 also flat, extending coplanarly the face 53 of the tongue 50 to the face 34, to which the face 65 is connected along the same line perpendicular to the plane -3 as the face 36; the spout 61, in particular delimited by two flat faces such as 66 mutually parallel and symmetrical to each other with respect to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1 to bear respectively between one and the other of the faces 64 and thus preventing lateral movement of the locking member 60 relative to the connecting member 27, present radially with respect to the axis 58, downwards if reference is made to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 , 4, an extension such that in the release position illustrated in FIG. 7, it has an end zone 67 in the immediate vicinity of the face 53 of the tongue 50, or more precisely at a distance from this face 53 less than the dimension that the section 55 of the arch 156 of the anterior end zone 6 of the shoe 5 has horizontally, along the plane 3 or parallel to this plane, when the shoe 5 occupies its position illustrated in FIG. 1, in which it lies flat on the suppo ski se horizontal this dimensional characteristic must also be kept for orientations of the locking member 60, relative to the connecting member 27, close; the shoe release orientation illustrated in FIG. 7.

 Towards the rear, in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, the front beak 61 of the locking member 60 is delimited by a flat, approximately vertical face 68 which, in the position illustrated in FIG. 7, is oriented approximately horizontally and, due to the above dimensional characteristic of the spout 61, reaches up to the immediate proximity of the face 53 of the tongue 50; forward in the position illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, the spout 61 is delimited by an anterior face 69 whose shape is indifferent as long as it does not hamper the various movements described in the foregoing and this following.

 Behind the front spout 61 if we refer to the position illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, by means of a spacing with respect to the rear face 68 thereof, the locking member 60 so integral with a rear spout 70 having the shape of a wedge tapering downwards, in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, between two plane faces 71 corresponding to coplanar extensions of the two faces 66 of the front spout 61, a rear face 72 flat and approximately parallel to the face 68, and a rear face 73 also flat, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski, and having an orientation such that it is applied flat against the face 53 of the tongue 50, partially between the bosses 154, in the position for securing the anterior end 6 of the shoe 5 with the connecting member 27 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8 the vertical extension of the rear spout 70, assumed in the illustrated position in Figures 1, 2, 4, es t such that on the one hand it does not hamper the pivoting movements of the locking member 60 relative to the connecting member 27 previously described, and that on the other hand it is inserted between the section 155 of the arch 156 of the front end zone 6 of the shoe 5 to apply a forward traction to this section, so as to forcefully press the faces 49 and 52 of the front end zone 6 of the shoe 5 against the faces 45 and 51 of the connecting member 27 and the tongue 50, respectively, in the position of solidaris-tion illustrated in Figures 1 and 8.

 Above the two spouts 61 and 70, if one refers to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, the locking member 60 has the shape of an approximately horizontal plate 75 in the illustrated position. in Figure 1 and having in particular in this position an upper face 76 approximately flat and approximately horizontal extending forward, from its junction 99 with the face 73, until its connection with a tab 77 extending upwards , above this upper face 76, the front spout 61 of the locking member 60; towards the front, this tab 77 is delimited by an extension of the face 69, of different shape since it does not constitute an obstacle to the movements which have already been described or will be described later, while towards the rear, if one refers to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, the tab 77 is delimited by a face 78 defined by generatrices perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1, with a concave shape; in the position illustrated in FIG. 7, the face 76 extends approximately vertically while the tab 77, in particular by its face 78, extends approximately horizontally.

 In addition to the locking member 60, the connecting member 27 also carries a hinge 79 which will be described more particularly with reference to its position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5.

 To this end, along an axis 80 located between the respective levels of axes 16 and 58, in particular in the position illustrated in these figures, and for example directly below axis 16 in this position, the connecting member 27 has two bores such as 81, of revolution around the axis 80 and each of which intersects a respective notch 83, 84 arranged in the connecting member 27 along respective planes parallel to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski, each of the notches 83, 84 opening forwards and upwards in the faces 41, 43, 44 of the connecting member 27; more precisely, each of the notches 83, 84 is located between one, respectively, of the bosses 54, 55 and a respective face 85, 86 which is flat, parallel to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski and delimiting the connecting member 27 in the sense of a distance from this plane.

 By each of the bores such as 81, the connecting member 27 receives in solidarity an respective pin 87, 88, of axis 80, intended to ensure the swiveling mounting of the stirrup 79 on the connecting member 27.

 For this purpose, the stirrup 79 has two arms 89, 90 flat, mutually parallel, symmetrical to each other with respect to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski and mutually spaced apart by a distance such that each can engage, by a respective free end 93, 94, in one, respectively, of the notches 83, 84; at its aforementioned free end, respectively 93, 94, each of the arms 89, 90 is pierced with a respective bore 91, 92, of revolution around the axis 80, to receive the respective one of the pins 87 and 88 and thus ensure the swiveling mounting of the stirrup 79 on the connecting member 27.

 The two arms 89, 90 have a respective second end 95, 96 by which they are mutually connected, in an integral manner, by a flat cross member 97, perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski i whereas, between this cross member 97 and the bores 91, 92, they are also connected to each other, from. rigidly, by a rectilinear spacer 98 also perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski 1.

 The distance separating the spacer 98 from the axis 0 and the shape of the arms 89; 90 of the stirrup 79 are such that it can notably occupy the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, in which it is supported by the spacer 98 on the upper face 76 therefore ~ gane de vèrrouillage 60 occupying its position in which the front end zone 6 of the shoe 5 is aligned with the connecting member 27, this support being effected in a direction going from the front to the rear above the axes 58 and 80 of such that the stirrup 79 thus maintains the locking member 60 in abutment by its face 73 against the face 53 of the tongue 50; for this purpose, the distance separating the spacer 98 from the axis 80 is greater than the geometric distance separating the face 76 from this axis 80 when the locking member 60 occupies the fastening position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, but this distance separating the spacer 98 from the axis 80 is less than the distance then separating from the axis 80 the rectilinear edge 99 of junction between the upper face 76 of the locking member 60 and the rear face 73 of that -this ; thus, in the position illustrated in Figure 1, a geometric plane passing through the spacer 98 and the axis 80 is ascending rearward.

 L> mutual spacing of the spacer 98 and the axis 80 and the conformation of the branches 89 and 90 of the stirrup 79 are also such that, by rotation of the stirrup 79 around the axis 80 in one direction going from back to front above this axis and rotation of the locking member 60 also in a direction going from back to front above the axis 58, the stirrup 79 and the member locking device 60 can also be brought into the position illustrated in FIG. 7, in which the stirrup 79 is supported by the spacer 98 against the face 78 of the tab 77 of the locking member 60, in said direction going from back to front over axes 80 and 58.

 A movement in this direction can be caused at will, by manual action on the stirrup 79, for example by means of a ski pole by means of which a thrust is applied in this direction on a tab 100 carried integrally by crossbar 97.

 The stirrup 79 is also elastically stressed by energizing means 101, a preferred embodiment of which will now be described.

 In view of its cooperation with these energizing means 101, the stirrup has on its two arms 89 and 90 two bores 102, 103, of revolution about the same axis 104 parallel to the axis 80 and located at a level greater than that of this axis 80 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, as well as in the position illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the stirrup 79 and the locking member 60 occupy the same positions as in FIG. 1 with respect to to the connecting member 27, while this axis 104 is on the other hand situated at an intermediate level between the respective levels of the axes 80 and 16 in the position illustrated in FIG. 7.

 Each of the bores 102 and 103 thus coaxially receives a respective journal 105, 106 also engaged with the possibility of relative rotation about the axis 104, in a respective coaxial and complementary bore 107, 108, arranged in a respective bracket 109, 110 bearing in addition, in a solidaireunebiellette respective rectilinear lil, 112, of own mean direction 113, 114 radial relative to the axis 104.

 Each of the links 111, 112 thus forms a longitudinal projection forward with respect to the respectively corresponding arm 89, 90 of the stirrup 79, either horizontally, in a manner not shown, or with an oblity of the order of a few degrees d angle relative to the horizontal, preferably descending forward in the direction of a distance from the axis 104, as illustrated, and this regardless of the position that the links 111 and 112 can be zoned to occupy during the operation of the binding 4.

 To retain the connecting rods 111 and 112 in such an orientation, the ski 1 carries integrally, in front of the axis 16 and either in one piece with the support member 17, in a manner not shown, or in the form of a piece 116 independent of the support member 17 but secured by any suitable means, in front of this support member 17, with the ski 1, guide means 115 allowing longitudinal sliding of the two links 111, 112 relative to the ski 1, out by allowing their rotation relative to the ski 1 about an axis 117 parallel to the axis 16 and fixed, or at least approximately fixed, relative to the ski 1; for example, for this purpose, the part 116 has, as a means 115, a front U-shaped zone, overlapping the rib 14 of the ski 1 and having, respectively on either side of this rib 14, that is to say say respectively above one and the other of the upper face strips 10, 11 of the ski 1, a respective bore such as 118 receiving the longitudinal sliding, that is to say in its own direction 113, 114 , one, respectively, of the links 111 and 112 while allowing, by the choice of a section greater than that of the links 111 and 112, a slight relative offset that each of the links 111, 112, to allow a variation of inclination of each of these links 111 and 112 as a function of the position of the axis 104 relative to the axis 16; such an arrangement is easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art, and does not require further precision; it could naturally be replaced by a provision, not shown, using a precise sliding guide of each link 111, 112 in a part l.rntée to rotation around the axis 117 relative to the part 116, the axis 117 then being rigorously fixed relative to the latter.

 The guide means 115 also serve as a forward support, relative to the part 116, for respective anterior end zones such as 119 of helical springs such as 120 each of which is arranged coaxially around one , respective, of the links 111 and 112 and moreover has a rear end such as 121 bearing backwards against the respective corresponding bracket 109, 110, under permanent compressive stress between the guide means 115 and this respective bracket 109 , 110.

Thus, taking into account the position of the axis 104 which has been described above
the position of the stirrup 79 illustrated in FIG. 1, that is to say a position in which this stirrup 79 is supported backwards and downwards by its spacer 98 on the upper face 76. of the connecting member 60 in the position for fastening the anterior end 6 of the shoe 5 with the connecting member 27, itself bearing backwards and downwards by the underside 34 of the core 30 on the upper face 20 of the support member 17, constitutes a stable state, due to the action of the springs such as 120 energizing means 101 on the stirrup 79
- If, from this position, the connecting member 27 pivots in the direction 37 relative to the ski 1, the springs such as 120, the compression of which increases, retain the stirrup 79 and the member locking 60 in the same position as in FIG. 1 with respect to the connecting member 27, as shown in FIG. 8, and, acting on this connecting member 27 via the stirrup 79 and the 'Locking member 60, apply to the connecting member 27 a biasing torque in the direction 35, to the position illustrated in Figure 1;
- during such a movement, the directions 113 and 114 of the rods 111 and 112, radial with respect to the axis 104, pass permanently above the two axes 16 and 80, so that this effect is preserved even in the limit tilting position of the connecting member 27 in the direction 37, illustrated in the fig
- If, from the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the stirrup 79 is manually printed, by acting on the wafer 100, a force tending to cause it to tilt forwards, around the axis 80, by relative to the connecting member 27 as for it stationary with respect to the ski 1, this tilting of the stirrup 79 results in increased compression of the springs 120, which thus quit 2 return it to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 as long as the directions 113, 114 of the links 111, 112 remain above the axis 80
on the other hand, as soon as the directions 113 and 114 of the links 111, 112 pass during this movement below the axis 80, the energizing means 101 elastically urge the stirrup 79 towards the position illustrated in FIG. 7, with drive of the locking member 60 to the position also illustrated in FIG. 7 because the spacer 98 of the stirrup 79, leaves its support rearward and downward against the face 76 of the member locking 60, bears forwards and downwards against the face 78 of the tab 77 of the latter, suitable stop means make it possible to make this position illustrated in FIG. 7 a stable position for example, for this purpose and in this position, the arms 89 and 90 of the stirrup 79 come into abutment inside the brackets 109, 110 and / or the tab 77 of the locking member 60, forming a projection relative to the two lateral faces such as 66 of the front spout 61 of the locking member 60, comes in ap then back against the anterior zones of the bosses 54, 55 by two facets 122 perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 3 of the ski and turned downwards, approximately horizontally, in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4
- A stress applied in the opposite direction either to the stirrup 79, or to the locking member 60, for example by means of the section 155 of the arch 156 of the anterior zone 6 of the shoe 5 applying to the rear face 68 d anterior spout 61, from top to bottom, when putting on the boot causes the return to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, with imprisonment of the section 55 between the locking member 60 and the connecting member 27 as is said above, first against the action of the energizing means 101 and then with the help of these means, by the effect of a toggle when the axis 80 is crossed by the respective directions 113 and 114 links 111 and 112.

 Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the binding thus designed constitutes a so-called "step in" binding, that is to say an automatic fitting by simply moving the shoe up and down relative. skiing, it being understood that it would not depart from the scope of the present invention by making the binding in such a way that only the position illustrated in FIG. 1 constitutes a stable position; in particular, the energizing means 101 could be designed differently from what has been described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

 In general, the binding which has just been described is susceptible of numerous variants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

 1. Binding, intended to ensure the connection between a cross-country ski boot and a cross-country ski, said binding comprising for this purpose  - at least one support member (17),  a member (27) for connecting an anterior end region (6) of the boot (5) with the support member (17), said link member (27) being pivotally mounted on the support member (17), around a first transverse axis (16),  - stop means (34, 20) for limiting the rotation of the connecting member (27) in a first determined direction (35), around the first axis (16), relative to the support member (17 ), so as to define a preferred angular position of the connecting member (27) relative to the support member (17), said first direction (35) being oriented from front to back above the first axis (16),  - A member (60) for locking a front end region (6) of the shoe (5) with the connecting member (27), said locking member (60) being pivotally mounted on the connecting member (27), around a second transverse axis (58), between two positions respectively for securing and releasing a front end zone (6) of shoe (5) with respect to the connecting member ( 27), the passage from the release position to the securing position being effected by rotation of the locking member (60) in a second determined direction, around the second axis (58), relative to the link (27), said second direction being oriented from front to back above the second axis (58),  - Means (79, 101) for direct elastic biasing of the locking member (60) in said second direction and indirect elastic biasing, through the locking member (60), of the locking member link (27) in said first direction (35),  characterized in that the elastic biasing means (79, 101) comprise - a C strier (79) mounted swiveling on the connecting member (in), around a third transverse axis (80), between a first limit position in which it is supported on a first zone (76) of the locking member (60) in the secured position, in a determined third direction going back and forth above the third axis (80) and in said second direction , and a second limit position in which it rests on a second zone (78) of the locking member (60) in the release position, in the opposite direction to said third direction and in the opposite direction to said second direction,  - Means (101) for energizing the stirrup (79), elastically biasing the stirrup (79) in said third direction, in the first limit position and in positions of the stirrup (79) close to said first limit position.  2. A binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (101) for energizing the stirrup (79) elastically urge the stirrup (79) in the opposite direction to said third direction, in said second limit position and in stirrup positions (79) close to said second limit position.  3. A binding according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking member (60) has an area (61, 68) biased by the anterior area (6) of the shoe (5) in said second direction, in position of release.  4. Attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (101) for energizing the stirrup (79) comprise at least one link (111, 112) articulated on the stirrup (79 ) around a fourth transverse axis (104), means (115) for guiding said rod relative to the support member (17), to longitudinal sliding and to rotation about a fifth transverse axis (117 ), and means (120) for elastic biasing, of said rod (111, 112) in longitudinal sliding relative to the support member (17).  5. A binding according to claim 4 in combination with any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the fourth axis (104) is arranged so that it defines a toggle joint with the fifth and third axes (117, 80) at least in said preferred angular position of the connecting member (27).  6, binding according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the fourth axis (104) is permanently located at a level higher than that of the first axis (16) and, at least in said first limit position of the stirrup (79), at a level higher than that of the third axis (80).  7. Attachment according to claims 5 and 6 er. combination, characterized in that the third axis (80) is permanently located at a level higher than that of the first axis (16) and in that the fourth axis (104) is located at an intermediate level between the respective levels of the first (16) and third axes (80) at least in said second limit position of the stirrup (79).