FR2614545A1 - Safety binding for a ski - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety binding for a ski, the said binding comprising a body 3 which is movable longitudinally along a slide 6 integral with the ski. The body 3 is immobilised longitudinally by a movable bolt 13 having locking means which interact with complementary means of the slide 6. …<??>The bolt 13 has, moreover, a free end 20 which is accessible from the outside and which enables it to be manoeuvred. …<??>The binding is characterised in that the free end 20 has, on its face which is oriented towards the slide, a relief 27, oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of mobility of the body 3, which is intended to interact with a complementary relief of an adjusting tool, so as to make it possible to simultaneously unlock the bolt 13 and couple the body 3 and the adjusting tool in a longitudinal direction. … …

Description

The invention relates to a ski safety binding, in particular but not

exclusively for alpine skiing, which is intended to retain one end of a boot, and to free this end

when it subjects the binding to excessive stresses exceeding a predetermined threshold.

More exactly, the invention relates to improvements made to a ski binding, which affect the adjustment of the longitudinal position of this binding on the ski. Generally, a boot is retained on the ski by a front binding, and a rear binding. Furthermore, at least one of these two bindings is adjustable in the longitudinal position on the ski, so as to be able to use boots of different sizes. This longitudinal adjustment also makes it possible to vary the intensity of the force with which the shoe sole is

longitudinal pinch between the front binding and the rear binding.

It is generally the rear binding which is adjustable in length. To do this, it most often comprises a longitudinal slide which is integral with the ski, and a body which is mounted to slide along the slide and which is held in a given longitudinal position by locking means. From this holding position, the body of the binding can move longitudinally in the direction of moving away from the other binding, against the return energy of a spring, which is commonly called a spring. recoil, or another

means of energy.

One of the known longitudinal locking means of a rear binding is a worm, the rotation of which also causes the longitudinal movement of the body of the rear binding. Such a means thus allows the longitudinal adjustment of the binding and its maintenance in a position.

longitudinal determined.

This locking and adjustment means has the advantage of being very precise.

However, it is ill-suited to frequent adjustments, or even to large amplitude adjustments. Another known locking means consists of a vertically tilting latch, which has projecting teeth under its lower surface which are engaged in corresponding openings of the slide. Such a lock is for example described in French patent 2,454,822. The upward tilting of the lock causes the teeth to disengage, which also allows the longitudinal adjustment of the body along the slide. The upward tilting is obtained for example by means of the blade of a screwdriver which is engaged between the free end of the lock and the slide. The return to the lower position of the lock is made elastically, for example by taking advantage of the return energy of the recoil spring, when moreover the studs of the

latch fall in front of the slide openings.

This adjustment means has the advantage of being simple to produce, but it is not suitable for frequent adjustments, or large amplitude adjustments. In fact, maintaining the lock in the high position and the longitudinal displacement of the body are two distinct maneuvers which each occupy one hand of the operator. It is therefore understood that an operator cannot simultaneously operate a longitudinal displacement of the binding and present a shoe for

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adapt the longitudinal adjustment to the length of the shoe. Such an adjustment is then made in successive stages, which takes time. In addition, when moving the body of the binding, it is necessary that the movements of both hands of the operator are coordinated, so that

the tool that lifts the lock remains firmly engaged under it.

Such drawbacks are especially noticeable for bindings which are used as rental bindings. In fact, in this case, a length adjustment must be made at each

change of user, based on the shoe size of the new user.

To remedy this drawback, there are certain types of rear bindings, the lock of which has two stable positions, a locked position, and an unlocked position. Such a lock o10 simplifies the length adjustment operation, since it frees one of the operator's hands once the lock has been placed in the high position. However, when the desired longitudinal position of the body of the binding has been reached, the lock must be lowered by an operation separate from the adjustment itself. There are also certain types of binding in which the free end of the lock is connected to a kind of hoop which extends vertically, and the upper part of which protrudes at the level of the rear part of the body of the binding. Such a construction is for example described in French patent 2,451,756. A screwdriver, the blade of which has at least one lateral notch, associated with such a lock, makes it possible to raise the lock, to move the body longitudinally, and to lower the lock only by the operation of the screwdriver, which is animated by a movement of rotation, then of longitudinal translation and then finally of rotation in the opposite direction. An operator performs these various operations using only one of his hands, his other hand being available, for example, to present the shoe. Another advantage is that the operator performs these operations without letting go of the screwdriver, resulting in a very short operation time, since there are no unnecessary movements. The object of the present invention is to improve this device by making the guiding as easy as possible.

of the screwdriver blade as it engages under the free end of the latch.

Another object of the invention is also to simplify the construction of the body of the rear binding, in particular by preventing the lock or one of its elements vertically passing through the body of the binding, and thus by preventing it from going around. the release spring hardness adjustment screw,

which until now requires a particular construction of this screw and of the rear of the body.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows.

The safety binding for the ski according to the invention comprises a slide secured to the ski, and a body whose longitudinal position on the slide is adjustable and lockable by means of a lock located in its lower part. Said lock has, under its lower surface, locking means which collaborate with the corresponding means of the slideway, and it is movable and is resiliently returned to a locking position, in which the complementary locking means are engaged in one another. The lock also has a free end, which is accessible from outside the body, the fixing having

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as for it in this zone a bearing surface which defines with the free end of the lock a slot

in which the blade of an adjustment tool, such as a screwdriver, can be engaged.

The binding is characterized by the fact that the lock has on its face which is opposite the bearing face, a relief which is oriented in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of mobility of the body on the slideway, said relief being intended to collaborate with the complementary relief of an adjustment tool, such that the rotational movement of the tool which causes the unlocking of the lock simultaneously causes the mutual engagement of the two complementary reliefs of the body of the binding and of the 'adjustment tool, which realizes a coupling of the

body and tool in a longitudinal direction, simultaneously unlocking the lock.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below, as well as the

accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figure I is a side view, in partial section, of a rear ski binding, and illustrates a

mode of implementation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view AA of the device shown in Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lock which equips the binding of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the lock of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the lock.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view which illustrates another alternative embodiment.

Figure 7 shows by way of illustration of the invention an adjustment tool which can be

advantageously used with the device of the invention.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the different phases of setting the binding by means of

routil of figure 7.

Figure 1 shows a side view, and in partial section, a traditional rear binding 1, which is mounted on a ski 2. This is not limiting, and in an obvious manner. The invention can be adapted to other types of bindings than that shown. This is within the reach of the skilled man. The binding I comprises a body 3 on which are articulated a jaw 4, and a lever 5, which

is commonly referred to as the release lever.

The body 3 of the binding I is mounted to slide, in a longitudinal direction, which corresponds substantially to the longitudinal direction of the ski 2, along a slide 6, integral with the ski. The slide 6 is more particularly visible in Figure 2. It is in the form of a plate elongated in a longitudinal direction, which is folded, on each of its side edges, so as to form two profiles in the form of " C ", 7 and 8, the openings of which face towards the other Body 3 of the binding 1 represents, in its lower part, two lateral runners

9 and 10, which are engaged inside these profiles "C" 7 and 8.

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Of course, any other suitable and known construction is suitable, from the moment o

it allows mobility of the body 3 of the binding in a longitudinal direction.

The body of the binding 3 can be immobilized relative to the slide 6, in a position

longitudinal defined by a locking means, shown in the form of a lock 13.

However, from this determined longitudinal position, in a known manner, the body of the binding 3 can move longitudinally, in the direction of moving away from the other binding, against the energy of a return means. elastic, which is represented in figure t under the

form of a spring 14. In a common manner, this spring is called a recoil spring.

The lock 13 is connected to the body and it is located in its lower part, in the immediate vicinity of

slide 6.

The lock 13, in a known manner, has the locking means, which collaborate with the complementary means of the slide. These figures represent these means in the form of teeth 16, which protrude under the lower surface 17 of the lock, and which cooperate with

corresponding orifices 18, which the slide 6 has in its central part.

The lock 13 is movable, and it has a stable locking position, in which the teeth 16 are engaged in corresponding holes 18. The lock 13 also has an unlocking position, in which the teeth 16 are released from the orifices 18 of the slide, which then makes it possible to move the body 3 of the binding longitudinally. The lock is resiliently returned to its locking position, and advantageously, this elastic return

is provided by the recoil spring 14.

The lock 13 has towards the rear an end 20, which is accessible from the outside of

fixing, and which allows it to be maneuvered.

The figures show this free end 20 in the form of a tab which extends

approximately horizontally outward from the body 3.

In the immediate vicinity of the tab 20, the fastener 1 has a bearing surface 23 which defines with the tab 20 a slot 22. In this slot, the front end of a tool, such as the flat blade of a screwdriver. can be engaged. The rotation of the blade causes the lug 20 to move away from the bearing surface of the binding, which also causes the lock 13 to be unlocked by

release of teeth 16 from their respective housing.

The bearing surface of the binding 1 may be formed by the upper surface of the slideway 6, in its zone which is situated under the tab 20. However, preferably, this bearing surface is constituted by a tongue 24, which is integral with the body, and which is located between the slide and the

tab 20. In this way, advantageously, the two elements which define the slot 22, that is to say

say the tab 20 and the bearing surface 23 of the tongue 24 are connected to the body, and are therefore movable

with the latter in its longitudinal displacement.

According to the invention, the tab 20 has, at its face 26 which is oriented towards its bearing surface, a relief which is itself oriented in a direction transverse to the direction

longitudinal mobility of the body 3 of the binding.

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Figures 1, 3 and 4 show such a relief 27, which protrudes from the surface

lower 26 of the tab 20. Referring to Figure 3, the relief 27 is the transverse branch of a.

sort of bead which delimits the perimeter of the lower face 26 of the tab 20.

Such a relief is for example obtained with a metal lock, by a stamping operation; which reduces the thickness of the tab 20 in its central zone, so as to generate this

peripheral bead.

Preferably, the face 28 of the bead 27, which is adjacent to the lower face 26 of the tab

, forms with this face 26 a sharp angle, which is approximately equal to 90 degrees.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, in the locked position of the lock 13, the lower face 26 of the lock forms with the upper face of the tongue 24 an acute angle, which

is around 5 to 15 degrees.

Also, preferably, the latch 13 also has a fold 30, which provides a face 31, oriented towards the relief 27, and adjacent to the lower face 26 of the tab 20. This face 31

provides a stopper for the front end of the adjustment tool.

FIG. 5 shows a variant, according to which the free end 20 of the lock has, at its lower surface 26, a hollow relief, which is constituted by a groove 33 oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of mobility of the body 3. Preferably the

groove 33 is delimited outwardly by an approximately vertical face 34.

FIG. 6 represents another variant, according to which the free end 20 of the latch 13 has, at its lower surface 26, a protruding relief, consisting of a crenellate 35. The crenellate 35 is oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction, and he presents

preferably, towards the interior, an approximately vertical face 36.

FIG. 7 illustrates an adjustment tool, which can be advantageously associated with the device of the invention, and more particularly with the embodiment shown in the FIGS.

figures 1 to 4.

The tool 39 shown in Figure 7 is approximately like a screwdriver, and it

consists of a rod 41, and a handle 40. The end of the rod 41 forms a flat blade 42.

This blade 42 has laterally on one of its sides, and preferably on each side, a notch 43 which is delimited towards the front end of the blade 42 by a face 44 oriented

approximately perpendicular to the general direction of the rod 41.

Furthermore, preferably, on each side of the plane defined by the blade 42, the shank 41 of the tool

has a rib 47,48, which extends as far as the zone of birth of the blade 42.

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the preferred operating mode for longitudinal adjustment of the

fixing 1 of Figure 1, by means of routil shown in Figure 7.

In a first phase which is illustrated in FIG. 8, the operator presents the tool 39, with the

blade 42 oriented substantially horizontally.

Advantageously, the front end of the tool 39, and more precisely of the lower rib 48, bears on the upper surface of the slide, which then serves as a guide. The

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height of the rib 48 is determined so that in this position the anterior end of

the blade 42 is at the height of the slot 22 previously described.

In this way, the blade 42 engages without any difficulty in the slot 22, until

the front end of the blade 42 abuts against the face 31 of the fold 30 of the lock.

FIG. 9 illustrates the relative position of the binding 1 and of the tool 39 at the end of this phase

blade engagement.

In the following phase, by a simple rotation of the blade, around the axis defined by the rod, the operator simultaneously performs the tilting of the lock 13 in its unlocked position, and a

longitudinal coupling between the body 3 of the binding, and the tool.

The tilting of the lock 13 is obtained by relative spacing of the tab 20 and the surface

crappui, in particular of the tab 24.

The longitudinal coupling is for its part produced by mutual engagement of the relief presented by the free end of the lock, in particular the bead 27, and one of the notches 43 that

presents the blade 42 of the tool 39.

FIG. 10 illustrates the attachment 1 and the tool at the end of this phase.

It should be noted that in order to carry out the operations described above, the operator

uses only one of his hands, i.e. the one holding tool 39.

In addition, after having released the lock 13, and the longitudinal coupling of the body 3 and the tool 39, the operator can, without letting go of his grip, perform a longitudinal displacement of the body 3 along its slide, in both directions, which is shown schematically by the two arrows 50 and 51. The tool 39 is withdrawn by proceeding in the reverse manner, initially by a rotation of the rod 41, so as to bring back the blade 42 in an approximately horizontal position, then removing the tool, possibly taking advantage of the guidance provided by the surface

upper slide 6 and lower rib 48.

Naturally, the present description is given only as an indication, and one could adopt

other implementations of the invention without departing from the scope thereof.

2 6 1 4 5 4 5

Claims (7)

1- Ski safety binding, comprising a slide (6) integral with the ski (2), and a body (3) whose longitudinal position on the slide (6) is adjustable and lockable by means of a lock (13) located in its lower part, said lock (13) having, under its lower surface, locking means (16) which collaborate with corresponding means (18) of the slide (6), and being movable and resiliently returned to a locking position , in which the complementary locking means are engaged in one another, the latch (13) furthermore having a free end (20) which is accessible from the outside of the body (3), the fixing (1) having as to it in this zone a bearing surface (23) which defines with the free end (20) of the latch (13) a slot (22) in which the blade of an adjusting tool such as a screwdriver can be engaged, characterized in that the lock (13) has on its face (26) which is facing the bearing surface (23) of the binding (1), a relief (27,33,35) which is oriented in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of mobility of the body (3) on the slide (6) ), said relief (27,33,35) being intended to collaborate with the complementary relief (43) of an adjusting tool (39), such that the rotational movement of the tool which causes the unlocking of the lock , simultaneously causes the mutual engagement of the two complementary reliefs of the adjustment routil and of the body of the binding, which achieves a coupling of the body and the adjustment in a longitudinal direction simultaneously with unlocking of the lock. 2- Binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the latch (13) has on its face (26) oriented towards the bearing surface (23) of the binding a relief (27,35) projecting oriernté transversalerrient, which is intended to collaborate with a hollow relief of the adjustment tool. 3- Binding according to claim 2, characterized in that the projecting relief is a bead (27) which borders at least transversely the face (26) of the free end (20) of the latch (13). 4Fixation according to claim 2, characterized in that the protruding relief is a slot transverse (35) presented by said face (26) of the free end of the lock. - Binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock has on its said face (26) oriented towards the bearing surface (23) of the binding (1) a relief (33) in hollow oriented transversely, which is intended to collaborate with a protruding relief of the adjustment tool. 6- Binding according to claim 5, characterized in that the hollow relief is a transverse groove (33) that the free end (20) of the lock has at its said face (26). 7- Binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing surface (23) which defines a slot (22) with the free end of the latch is the upper face of a transverse tongue (24) integral with the body (3) of the binding, which is located between the slide (6), and the free end (20) of the lock (13). 8- Binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the face (26) of the latch (13) which carries the relief (27,33,35) is substantially inclined relative to the bearing surface (23) of the fixation, 2 6 1 4 5 4 5 and defines with said face an acute angle open outwards. 9- Binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the face (26) of the latch (13) which carries the relief (27,33,35) is extended by an approximately vertical face (31) forming a stop for adjustment routil.