FR2657269A1 - Alpine ski safety binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety binding for a ski, which is intended to retain, in a releaseable manner, the front end of a boot. The front binding comprises a jaw 10, and a mechanism for elastically returning the jaw 10 into a centred position. It also comprises a compensation mechanism with a feeler (sensor) 13 which is movable vertically in response to the stresses of the boot. A layer of shock-absorbing material 30 is inserted between the upper surface of the feeler 13 and the upper surface of the ski 2.

Description

 The invention relates to a ski safety binding, which is intended to retain the front end of a boot on a ski, and to release this boot end when it exerts excessive stress on its binding.

 More specifically, the invention relates to a front binding which is equipped with a compensation mechanism, with a probe movable vertically in response to the vertical downward stresses on the sole of the shoe.

 Such fasteners are for example known from patent FR 2,537,442, or else patent DE-OS 29 05 837.

 Such bindings include a jaw intended to retain the front end of the shoe, an elastic return mechanism which elastically opposes the lateral movement of the jaw, as well as a compensation mechanism, with a vertically movable feeler. Connection means are further provided between the feeler and the jaw or the elastic return mechanism, so that a vertical downward bias of the shoe actuates the feeler, and that the vertical downward movement of the feeler is transmitted either to the jaw, or to the compensation mechanism, in the form of a lowering of the elastic restoring force of the jaw, or else of an increase in the lateral force towards the outside to which the jaw is subjected .

 Such a mechanism is effective in compensating for the increase in friction of the boot relative to the ski, and facilitating the release of the boot in the event of a combined fall of the skier in front and in torsion.

 Such a mechanism gives good results, but it has the drawback of not being effective in filtering out vibrations, jolts or shocks to which the ski is subjected, and which are transmitted to the boot during skiing. Indeed, when the amplitude of these vibrations, jolts or shocks is not sufficient to activate the compensation mechanism, or to cause the release of the shoe, these jolts, vibrations or shocks are transmitted to the shoe, and are therefore perceived by the skier, in the same way as other information from the snow, from which the skier steers his ski, for example to correct his position, initiate a turn or take an edge. These shocks, jerks or vibrations are then harmful because their amplitude is excessive compared to the level of other information that the skier receives. These shocks, jerks or vibrations therefore temporarily mask other information, and the skier does not have an optimal perception information transmitted to him by his skis.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a ski binding which filters the information which the skier receives from the ski by
The intermediary of his shoe, so as to attenuate the information of too great amplitude.

 Another object of the invention is to propose a compensation mechanism with a feeler as well as means for connecting this feeler and filtering means which can be acted upon independently of each other.

 Another object of the invention is to provide a ski binding which is simple to construct.

 Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, this description being however given by way of indication, and not limitation.

The ski safety binding, intended to detachably retain the front end of a boot, and to release this end, when it exerts excessive stress on the binding at least in a lateral direction, comprises:
- a jaw, intended to retain the end of the shoe laterally, and in a vertical upward direction,
- An elastic return mechanism of the jaw in a position centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, which opposes an elastic return force to any movement of the jaw at least in a lateral direction.

It also includes
- a compensation mechanism with a feeler which is carried by a base, and on which rests the front end of the shoe sole, the feeler being movable downward relative to its base under the action of a vertical force down the shoe,
- connecting means between the feeler and one of the elements that are the jaw or the elastic return mechanism of the jaw, so that a downward movement of the feeler causes a lowering of the lateral force which the shoe must overcome to be released laterally.

 It is characterized by the fact that a layer of shock absorbing material is interposed between the upper surface of the feeler on which the shoe sole rests, and the upper surface of the ski.

 The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below, as well as to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

- Figure I shows a side view, in section, a front attachment with its compensation mechanism in a non-limiting mode of implementation of the invention;
- Figure 2 is a partial view of the device of Figure 1, and illustrates the operation of the compensation mechanism
- Figure 3 is a partial view similar to that of Figure 2, and illustrates another phase of operation of the compensation mechanism
- Figure 4 shows in section, side view, a front attachment in another embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 5 is a top view of an element of the binding of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a partial side sectional view, and illustrates an operating phase of the compensation mechanism of the device of Figure 4;
- Figure 7 is a partial sectional view, side view, and illustrates an alternative embodiment
- Figure 8 shows, in section, side view, a front attachment in another embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 9 is a partial side view, which illustrates an operating phase of the compensation mechanism
- Figure 10 is a partial sectional view, side view, which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the compensation mechanism of Figure 8;
- Figure 1 I shows in section, side view, a front attachment according to another alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a top view, and partially in section, of the device in FIG. 11.

 FIG. 1 represents a binding 1 which is mounted on the upper surface 4 of a ski 2. The binding 1 is of a known type, for example according to patent application FR 81.22577.

 The embodiment shown comprises a pivot 3, integral with the ski 2. A body 5 is articulated with respect to the pivot 3 around one or the other of two converging support lines that the pivot has on its rear side, corresponding to the right side of the figure.

 A return spring 6 is housed inside the body. This spring 6 is supported at its front end against a threaded plug 7, which is screwed into a threaded orifice in the body, and which makes it possible to adjust the initial stress of the spring at rest. At its rear end, the spring 6 bears against the front face 8 of the pivot 3, by means of a support piece 9.

 A jaw 10, in which engages the front end of the shoe sole, constitutes, with the body, a one-piece assembly. A screw 11, substantially vertical, and screwed into the pivot 3, makes it possible to adjust the height of the body 5 and of the jaw 10. The body 5 is in fact coupled to the screw II at its head 12, for all movements vertical of this head.

 The body 5 and the jaw 10 can pivot laterally, under the lateral stresses of the shoe, and against the return action of the spring 6, which tends to return the jaw 10 to the rest position, that is to say centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski. The body 5 and the jaw 10 can also pivot in a limited manner, in a vertical plane, around the head 12 of the screw 11. This movement takes place against the return action of the spring 6, and it also causes a reduction in the effort that the shoe must overcome in order to push the jaw laterally, if necessary until the shoe is released by the jaw.

 The binding 1 also includes a compensation mechanism. This compensation mechanism shown is of a known type, for example according to French patent application No. 82.20852. It comprises a feeler 13 on which the front end of the shoe sole rests. Preferably, the upper surface of the probe 13 is coated with a plate of an anti-friction material, such as for example polytetrafluoroethylene, on which the sole of the shoe rests.

 The probe 13 is carried by a base 17 constituted for example by a thin metal plate. The front part of the base 17 is sandwiched between the pivot 3 and the upper surface 4 of the ski. The rear part 18 of the base 17 is folded over the rear edge 19 of the probe 13. This assembly constitutes a kind of transverse articulation, and allows the probe 13 to pivot relative to this zone around a transverse axis.

 In the front zone of the probe is a lever 20 with two arms, which is articulated relative to the base 17 around a transverse axis 21. The rear arm 22 of the lever 20 extends, from the axis 21, backwards and upwards. The front edge of the probe 13 is supported on the rear end of the arm 22. The front arm 23 of the lever 20 has, seen in section in the plane of the figure, a square shape, with, starting from the axis 21, a horizontal part bearing on the base 17, then a vertical part. The upper end of this vertical part bears against the lower end of a substantially vertical nail 25, which is anchored in the lower part of the jaw 10.

 In a known manner, under the action of a downward vertical force exerted by the shoe on the feeler 13, the feeler pivots around its rear edge 19, which causes the lever 20 to tilt clockwise, this tilting in turn causing the body 5 and the jaw 10 to tilt around the screw head 12, in a counterclockwise direction.

 As has been said previously, such a vertical movement of the body reduces the force that the shoe must overcome to rotate the binding laterally, and be released if necessary. This reduction compensates for the increase in friction between the boot and the ski which is induced by this vertical downward force.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the probe 13 consists of a support plate 27, with an upper surface on which the shoe sole rests, and moreover of a base plate 28, which is located under the support plate 27. It is the rear edge 19 of this base plate 28 which is engaged in the recess 18 of the base 17. The support plate 27 and the base plate 28 are interconnected continuously, in their front part, by an elastic deformable zone 29 constituting a transverse hinge.

 In addition, a layer of damping material 30 is interposed between the support plate 27 and the base plate 28, in their rear part. This layer 30 is embedded in a housing 31 of the base plate 28, and for example, its underside is glued to the bottom of the housing 31.

 The thickness of the layer of damping material 30 is greater than the depth of the housing 31. In this way, the rear part of the support plate 27 is kept spaced from the base plate 28 by the layer of damping material 30.

 Figures 2 and 3 break down the operating phases of the compensation mechanism which has just been described.

 In FIG. 2, to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that the boot exerts relative to the ski, via the feeler 13, a vertical force downwards F, and that the energy produced by this force is entirely absorbed by the layer of shock absorbing material 30. Thus, FIG. 2 represents the support plate 27 which has approached the base plate 28, which has caused the compression of the layer of shock absorbing material 30. On the other hand, the probe 13, or more precisely the base plate 28, has not actuated the lever 20.

 As soon as the stress F has ceased, the elasticity of the layer of damping material 30, and the elasticity of the front region 29 of the probe 13 return the support plate 27 to its original position, that is to say - say that of figure 1.

In FIG. 3, it is assumed, also to facilitate understanding, that the boot exerts, relative to the ski, via the feeler 13, a force
P which has no influence on the layer of damping material 30, and which is entirely transmitted to the lever 20. In this case, the support plate 27 and the base plate 28 switch simultaneously around the rear edge 19 of the probe 13, which also causes a pivoting, clockwise, of the lever 20, and an upward tilting of the jaw 10, as has been described above.

 In practice, depending on the nature of the stresses that the boot exerts on the ski, the operation of the compensation mechanism is a combination of the two operating modes which have been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the stresses which exist between the boot and the ski in a vertical direction are either absorbed by the layer of shock absorbing material 30, or are transmitted to the lever 20.

 As the filtering means and the compensation means operate independently, a stress on the boot relative to the ski can either be absorbed and filtered by the layer 30, or else be transmitted by the lever 20, or else be partly filtered. and partly transmitted to lever 20.

 In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the binding has an operation similar to that which has been described in relation to FIG. 1.

 The compensation mechanism comprises a feeler 33, the front part of which bears on the rear end of a lever 40 similar to the previous lever 20.

The rear edge 39 of the probe 33 is taken up by a fold back 38 of a base 37 similar to the previous base 17, which extends under the fixing, and which is sandwiched between the pivot 3 and the upper surface 4 of the ski 2. The probe 33 can thus pivot counter-clockwise with respect to the zone 38, 39, which causes the lever 40 to tilt.

 A plate 47 is also interposed between the base 37 and the upper surface 4 of the ski 2. The plate 47 is for example secured to the ski by the screws which retain the pivot 3 to the ski. In its rear part, in the region of the probe 33, the plate 47 has a recess 48. Inside this recess 48 extends a layer of damping material 50. Preferably, this layer extends in the rear part of the recess 48, at least in the region of the rear edge 39 of the probe 33.

 The thickness of the layer 50 is greater than the depth of the recess 48.

In this way, the base 37 is substantially prestressed upwards by the layer 50.

 In a preferred embodiment, immediately behind the fold 38, the plate 47 has a rim 51, the substantially vertical front face 52 of which constitutes a support for the rear part of the layer 50.

 Also, in a preferred embodiment, the recess 48 is bordered laterally by two edges 54 and 55, on which the base 37 comes to bear beyond a determined compression of the layer 50.

 Figure 6 illustrates the operation of the compensation mechanism. In this figure, the boot exerts, relative to the ski, a force F, via the feeler 33, and it is assumed that the energy resulting from this force is fully absorbed by the layer of material 50. This layer 50 is flattened, until the base 37 comes into contact with the edges 54 and 55 of the plate 47. In addition, the layer 50 is retained in its rear part by the vertical face 52 of the flange 51. As a result, the material 50 works mainly compression, and works little in shear. Advantageous damping characteristics are thus obtained. These characteristics can be modified by varying the distance between the face 52 and the rear part of the layer 50.

 Operation in pure compensation, without amortization, is identical to what has been described previously with respect to FIG. 3.

 FIG. 7 illustrates a variant according to which the vertical face 52 of the rim 51 is offset towards the front by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the layer 50.

 The layer 50 is then extended towards the rear by a part 56, which rises between the fold 38 of the base 37, and the face 52 of the flange 51.

 As in the previous case, the filtering means and the compensation means can be actuated independently.

 FIG. 8 represents another variant of the compensation mechanism according to which a layer of damping material 65 is interposed between the rear edge 64 of the probe 63 and the base 67. In this zone, the base 67 has a fold 69, in which are engaged both the rear edges of the layer 65 and of the probe 63.

 FIG. 9 represents the probe 63 subjected to a vertical force F, directed downwards, and it is assumed, in this figure, that the energy of this force F is fully absorbed by the layer 65. Thus, the figure shows that the posterior edge 64 of the feeler 63 has lowered in the direction of the ski, which has also compressed the layer of material 65.

 FIG. 10 represents an alternative embodiment, according to which the layer of damping material 65 is extended towards the rear, and is interposed between the rear edge 64 of the probe 63 and the fold 69 of the base 67.

 FIG. 11 represents another variant, according to which the binding has a fixed body 70, which is integral with the ski, and a jaw 71 movable relative to the body 70.

 The jaw is connected to the body by means of a tie rod 72, which acts on a spring 73. The spring 73 bears on one side against a face 75 of the body 70, and on the other side, it is solicited by a plug 74 connected to the tie rod 72.

 A lateral movement of the jaw causes a movement of the tie rod from left to right, which causes compression of the spring.

 The binding of FIG. 11 also includes a compensation mechanism, with a feeler 76 on which the shoe sole rests. The probe 76 is substantially raised relative to a base 77.

 In its front part, the feeler bears against the inclined face 78 of a pusher 79.

 The front end of the pusher 79 bears against the lower end of a lever 80, which extends substantially vertically, and which is articulated in its central part around an axis 82. The upper end of the lever 80 is engaged in the tie 72.

 A vertical downward movement of the front part of the feeler 76 causes the feeler to slide along the inclined face 78 which forms a ramp, a forward translational movement of the pusher 79, and a clockwise tilting of the lever 80. This tilting results in a rearward movement of the tie rod 72, resulting in additional compression of the spring 73, which decreases as much as the force that the jaw 71 must overcome to open and release the shoe. if applicable.

 A layer of damping material 81 is also interposed between the rear part of the probe 76 and the base 77. At this level, the base 77 has a fold 83 which closes above the rear edge of the probe 76.

 A downward movement of the rear part of the feeler 76 thus causes compression of the layer of damping material 81. Preferably, the upper surface of the feeler 76 is curved, so that a vertical downward stress exerted by the shoe, relative to the ski, can be transmitted independently by the front part of the probe 76 to the pusher 79, and by its rear part to the layer of damping material 81.

 Naturally, the present description is given for information only, and other implementations of the invention could be adopted without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (9)

 1- Safety binding for skiing, intended to releasably release the front end of a boot, and to release this end, when it exerts on the binding an excessive stress at least in a lateral direction, comprising:  - a jaw (10, 71), intended to retain the end of the shoe laterally, and in a vertical upward direction,  - an elastic return mechanism (6, 9, 72, 73) of the jaw (10, 71) in a position centered on the longitudinal axis of the ski, which opposes an elastic return force to any movement of the jaw (10 , 71) at least in a lateral direction,  further including  - a compensation mechanism with a feeler (13, 33, 63, 76) which is carried by a base (17, 37, 67, 77), the base itself being carried by the upper surface (4) of the ski (2), the front end of the shoe sole resting on the upper surface of the probe, and the probe (13, 33, 63, 76) being movable downward relative to its base (17, 37, 67, 77) under the action of a vertical force towards the bottom of the shoe,  - connecting means (20, 79, 80) between the feeler (13, 33, 63, 76) and one of the elements that are the jaw (10, 71), or the elastic return mechanism of the jaw ( 6, 9, 72, 73), so that a downward movement of the probe (13, 33, 63, 76) results in a lowering of the lateral force which the shoe must overcome to be released laterally,  characterized in that a layer of cushioning material (30, 50, 65, 81) is interposed between the upper surface of the feeler (13, 33, 63, 76), on which the shoe rests, and the upper surface (4 ) skiing (2).  2- binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe comprises a support plate (27) on which the shoe sole rests, and a base plate (28) articulated relative to the base (17) , and that the layer of damping material (30) is interposed between the support plate (27) and the base plate (28).  3- Attachment according to claim 2, characterized in that the base plate (28) and the support plate (27) are interconnected continuously by an elastically deformable area (29) forming a hinge.  4- binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of damping material (50) is interposed between the base (37) of the probe (33) and the upper surface (4) of the ski (2).  5- binding according to claim 4, characterized in that the layer of damping material (50) is interposed between the base (37) and a plate (40) bearing against the upper surface (4) of the ski (2) , and that it is located in the probe area (33).  6- binding according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate (40) has behind the rear end of the base (37), a flange (51) with a vertical face (52) against which the layer of shock absorbing material (50) bears backwards.  7- A binding according to claim 6, characterized in that the layer of damping material (50) is extended towards the rear by a part (55) which rises between the base (37, 38) and the vertical face (52 ) of the flange (51).  8- A binding according to claim 5, characterized in that the plate has a recess (48) in which extends the layer of damping material (50), that the depth of the recess is less than the thickness of the layer of damping material (50), and that the recess (48) is bordered on each side by an edge (54, 55) which constitutes a vertical stop for the base (37).  9- A binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of damping material (65, 81) is interposed between the rear part (64, 84) of the probe (63, 76) and the base (67, 77) .