FR2810893A1 - Ski bindings for connecting boot to ski, has fastening allowing boot to move to limited height and allows good transfer of boots onto skis - Google Patents

Abstract

The bindings have a front and rear wedge (19,20) for attaching to a holding element on the boot, and a non extendable connection (27) at the end zone (38) of an wedge. The first part has another edge which is mounted releasably in the ski and a second part is fixed in a fastening (65) which allows it to swing to a limited height. The wedge has at least one shaft (58,59) in which a fastening section is placed.

Description

Interface device between an alpine ski and retaining elements of the

  ski boot The invention relates to an interface device between an alpine ski and elements for retaining the boot on the ski.

  Such an interface device makes it possible to modify the flexural characteristics of the ski.

  An interface of this type is for example known from the patent application published under the number WO 83/03360. This interface includes a slender plate on which the shoe retaining elements are assembled. One end of the plate is integrally connected to the ski. The other end has the possibility of moving relatively to the ski, and its movement is controlled by small elastically compressible blocks. A layer of elastomeric material is also interposed between the plate and the surface.

superior of skiing.

  Such an interface gives good results for its dynamic damping and stimulus properties. However, it tends to stiffen the central part of the ski, and therefore it

  not very suitable for current skis which have a line of dimensions in wasp size.

  Another device is known from patent application FR 2 785 821. For this device, the retaining elements are mounted on individual shims connected by a

  connecting rod. One of the cleats is integrally connected to the ski at one of its ends.

  The other end of the wedge and the other wedge are mounted floating. Beyond a certain ski flexion, a stop hinders the movement of the floating wedge. For weak bending of the ski, the reaction to the backward forces of the rear retaining element is taken up by the connecting rod. As a result, the ski is relatively free to flex. For strong flexions, this reaction is transferred to the ski, which momentarily stiffens the central area of the ski, and

  gives a stimulus or rebound effect.

  This device advantageously has several operating modes according to the

degree of flexion of the ski.

  An object of the invention is to propose an improved interface device which frees

  more skiing in its different flexion phases.

  The interface device according to the invention comprises front and rear wedges, each provided to support a shoe retaining element, the wedges being connected together by an inextensible connection, the end of one of the wedges known as the first wedge being intended to be integrally connected to the ski, the other so-called second wedge being provided to be mounted floating relative to the ski. It is characterized by the fact that at least the second wedge is carried by a stirrup, and is retained on this stirrup by a transverse articulation axis around

  from which it can oscillate over a limited amplitude.

  The invention will be better understood by referring to the description below and to

  annexed drawings attached to it.

  Figure 1 shows a side view of the interface device of the invention associated with a

ski and retainers.

  Figure 2 shows a top view of the interface device.

  Figure 3 is an exploded view of the various elements of the interface device.

  FIG. 1 represents the central portion of a ski 1 surmounted by two front and rear retaining elements 2 and 3 respectively of the front and rear ends of a shoe

ski.

  The retaining elements are of any suitable type. In known manner, the front element 2 comprises a retaining jaw 4 carried by a body 5, itself carried by a base 6. The base is extended towards the rear by a support plate 7 provided to support

  the front end of the shoe.

  Likewise, the rear element 3 comprises a movable jaw 9 carried by a body 10.

  The body is movable along a longitudinal slide 11. Its position along the slide is determined by a lock 12 or any other suitable means. From this determined position, the body can still retreat against the restoring force opposed to it by a spring 13

  called recoil spring, which is placed between the body and the latch.

  In front of the body 10, the retaining element has a support plate 14 provided to support the shoe sole, and a braking device 15 with a foot pedal 16 which is actuated by the shoe. All these elements are of a known type and do not

  are not limiting for the invention.

  An interface device 18 is interposed between the retaining elements and the ski. This interface device comprises two front and rear shims 19 and 20. The shims are independent, they are presented as thin plates. The plan dimensions of the front block correspond substantially to those of the front base 6 including the support plate 7. Those of the rear block correspond to those of the slide 11 including the support plate 14 and the pedal shoe 16 when it is in the low position in the

  extension of the support plate 14.

  The shims 19 and 20 have respectively on the top an assembly zone 23 and 24 provided for the front base, and the rear slide. The base and the slide are assembled integrally with the wedges by any appropriate means, in particular screws. Alternatively, one could realize at the front and rear integrated elements in one piece, in particular on

  front a block and a monobloc base.

  The front and rear wedges are made of any suitable material, in particular

  plastic reinforced with reinforcing fibers.

  Preferably, at the front end of the rear wedge there are two lateral studs 25 and 26 projecting. These studs are provided so that the foot pedal 16 of the braking device comes to bear in the presence of the shoe. In this position, the upper surface of the support pedal is very slightly raised relative to the support plate 14 so that the shoe sole rests on the footwear pedal. In this way, the support of the boot is advanced on the ski when the ski is flat. In addition, the lateral position of the studs makes the transmission of the support forces from the boot towards the edges of the ski more direct. When the ski flexes, the support of the boot is transferred further back to the support plate 14. The pads are optional, however, and one could also have only one support mode for the back of the shoe. The two front and rear wedges are connected by a rod 27 whose ends are hooked respectively to the front and rear wedges. The rod is made for example of metal. According to the embodiment shown, the rear end of the rod is folded up, and this fold 29 is engaged from below in one of the housings 30, 31, 32 that has the rear wedge. The housings are distributed over the length of the wedge, their number is not limiting, they allow a rough adjustment of the device to the length of the shoe. The housings have a length dimension which is greater than the thickness of the fold, so that the fold is retained with the possibility of longitudinal play, and a strip

  elastic pushes the fold back against the front wall of the housing with little effort.

  This will be described in more detail later. By way of illustration, FIG. 1 represents the

  folded back against the front wall 31 a of the central housing 31.

  Forward, the rod has a longitudinal lumen 33 which is guided in a groove located on the underside of the front wedge. The front end is assembled integrally with the wedge by a clamping system 34 comprising a screw, a nut, a retaining washer which passes through the lumen and an orifice 36 in the wedge. Other means of assembly could also be suitable. According to the invention, the front zone 38 of the rear wedge 20 rests on the upper surface of the ski, and it is integrally connected to the ski, for example by two screws housed in holes

39 and 40.

  Behind this zone 38, the rear wedge is slightly raised relative to the

upper surface of the ski.

  The rear end 41 of the wedge is mounted suspended and oscillating relative to the ski.

  According to the embodiment shown, the rear end 41 of the plate has two wells 42 and 43 placed side by side. Two arches 44 and 45 of a stirrup 46 are housed in the wells 42 and 43. The stirrup is assembled integrally with the ski, for example by screws. Stirrup

  is made for example from a metal plate cut and shaped.

  As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the hoops preferably have a

rectangular section.

  The wells 42 and 43 are provided larger in a longitudinal direction than the arches 44 and 45 so that there is a possible relative movement, and small blocks 47, 48 of elastomeric material are placed in the wells 42 and 43 to fill the space between the arches and the shafts. At rest, the arches are located in the rear part of the wells. The elastomeric blocks are placed on the front of the hoops, and they control the relative movement

  towards the rear of the wedge with respect to the ski which occurs when the ski flexes.

  In a transverse direction, the arches are adjusted in the wells, to obtain

  good connection precision in the transverse direction.

  The connection between the rear end of the hold and the ski also includes a hinge pin 50 which crosses the hold in the area of the wells and which is housed inside the

hoops 50.

  In the hold, the axis 50 is maintained without play. On the other hand, inside the arches, it is maintained with a longitudinal play which is of the same nature as the play between the arches and the wells, that is to say -to say that in longitudinal section the length of the arches is greater than

axis diameter 50.

  Vertically, the height of the poles is provided so that the rear end of the wedge is kept slightly raised relative to the upper surface of the ski. Two elastically compressible cushions 52 and 53 are interposed between the lower surface of the cleat and the upper surface of the ski, or as is the case in the embodiment shown, the plates of the stirrup 46 which are on each side of the arches. The cushions are for example made of an elastomeric material, they provide an elastic suspension of the rear end of the plate relative to the ski in a vertical direction, and at rest, they hold the axis 50

  resting against the upper wall of the arches.

  Thus, the rear wedge 20 is integrally connected to the ski in its front region 38. On the rear, a relative movement is possible between the ski and the plate, with a longitudinal component of translation, a vertical component of translation and a component of rotation around the transverse axis 50. The movement according to the first component is controlled by blocks 47 and 48, the other two components are controlled by the cushions

52 and 53.

  The front wedge is connected to the rear wedge by the rod 27. The wedge is mounted floating in a longitudinal direction relative to the ski. It has a rear zone 56 which bears against the upper surface of the ski. In front of this zone 56, the forward hold is

  slightly raised from the upper surface of the ski.

  In its middle part, the front wedge is connected to the ski in the same way of connection

than the back of the rear wedge.

  Thus, the hold has two wells 58 and 59 in which are housed the arches 60 and 61 of a

  stirrup 62 connected integrally to the ski, for example by screws.

  The poles are housed in the wells with a longitudinal clearance controlled by blocks of elastomeric material 63 and 64. Transversally, the poles are adjusted in the wells to

  good transmission of forces in this transverse direction.

  At rest, the arches are in the front part of the wells. The blocks 63 and 64 are placed on the rear of the poles, and they control the forward movement of the block relative to the ski. The thickness of the blocks 63 and 64 is determined so that at rest, the

  hoops bear without constraint against the front wall of the wells.

  The wedge and the arches are crossed by a hinge pin 65 with a possibility of vertical play and oscillation around the axis controlled by a compressible filter 66 which is located in front of the axis 65. The filter is by example of an elastomeric material. The filter provides elastic suspension of the front part of the wedge relative to the ski in a vertical direction, and it also controls the oscillation of the wedge relative to the ski around the axis 65. The device which has just been described is designed to be assembled to the ski in the way

next.

  The interface device initially comprises two pre-assembled sub-assemblies and the link. Each sub-assembly is formed by a front or rear block, a stirrup, the hinge pin connecting the block and the stirrup, as well as the elastomeric damping elements. The

  connection includes the rod and its clamping system.

  The ski is pierced using a template adjusted to the length of the boot. In terms of

  this length, the rod is positioned in one of the housings 30, 31, 32 of the rear wedge.

  The rear sub-assembly and the link are then assembled to the ski. Then, the front wedge is connected to the front end of the rod with the clamping system 34. Then the sub-assembly

  front is assembled to the ski. Finally the clamping system is tightened.

  Advantageously, for this last tightening operation, the rod is kept in

  position by the elastic tongue of the housing where the fold is engaged.

  Following this assembly, the front wedge is kept at rest in support without constraint

against the arches of the stirrup.

  Upon engagement of the shoe in the retaining elements, as is known, the body of the rear element moves back and compresses the spring 13 which determines the force of

  shoe pinching between the front and rear retaining elements.

  The reaction to this pinching force is taken up by the rod 27 as long as the ski is flat or for flexion movements of small amplitude. In these operating modes, the ski is not affected by the reaction to the gripping force. It is because of this

  more able to flex with a regular curvature.

  When the ski is in flexion, that is to say with the central portion of the ski below the imaginary line which connects its ends, the front wedge tends to advance relative to the ski. The blocks 63 and 64 offer resistance to this displacement which increases with the degree of bending. For a bending of the ski of high amplitude, as the front block can no longer advance sufficiently, the fold 29 of the rod leaves its support against the front wall of

his accommodation.

  It is the rear retaining element which, when moving back, must then compensate for the curvature of

the central ski area.

  As the rear end of the rod is no longer linked to the rear wedge, the reaction to the pinching force is transferred to the ski. The intensity of this reaction increases by

elsewhere with the bending of the ski.

  there occurs in the middle portion of the ski a spreading of the pressure of the ski on the snow which tends to stabilize the ski and improve its handling. Conditions can be changed

  in which this transfer takes place using blocks 47, 48, 63, 64 of different hardness.

  The fact that the cleats are mounted oscillating around the axes 50 and 65 and the fact that there is a vertical suspension of the rear and front ends and the rear and front cleats allow the ski to flex more freely in these areas, which gives when skiing a curvature

more regular in curves.

  In particular, the rear end of the ski can flex more freely around the axis 50.

  In addition, the cushions or elastomeric filters which are compressed with the flex of the ski

  restore some of the energy they have stored when the flexion stops.

  The oscillation around the axes improves the efficiency of the device insofar as the friction of the parts in contact is reduced. In addition, the axes improve the efficiency with which the cushions or elastomer filter return the energy they have at the end of the curve.

  stored during ski flexion.

  When the ski leaves in counter-arrow, that is to say with the central portion above the imaginary line connecting its ends, the device tends to oppose resistance to this

movement.

  Naturally this description is given for information only, and one could

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

  In particular, the wedges could be reinforced at the level of the housings of the articulation axes, for example with added metal jumpers which improve the recovery.

some efforts.

  The construction of the shafts and arches could also be different, the important thing being the oscillation movement. In particular, we could have a single well and a single hoop per hold. It is also not essential that the wells open onto the upper surface of the holds. Also, one could replace the rod by another inextensible mode of connection which opposes the relative distance of the wedges, but does not oppose resistance to their

relative approximation.

  At the rear retaining element, the hinge pin and the construction with the stirrup is preferred but not essential for the invention. Other ways to link the

  wedge with ski may also be suitable.

  We could reverse the ski connection modes of the front and rear retaining elements. That is to say that an area of the front hold could be integrally connected to the ski, and

  that the rear wedge could be mounted floating.

Claims (8)

  1- Device interface between a ski and the retaining elements of a boot on a ski, comprising front and rear wedges (19, 20), each provided for supporting a retaining element of the boot, the wedges being interconnected by an inextensible link (27), an end zone (38) of one (20) of the so-called first wedges being provided to be integrally connected to the ski, the other wedge (19) called the second wedge being provided for be mounted floating relative to the ski, characterized in that the second wedge (20) is carried by a stirrup (62), and is retained on this stirrup by a transverse articulation axis (65) around which   it can oscillate over a limited amplitude.   2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedge has at least one well (58, 59) in which is housed a hoop (60, 61), that the longitudinal dimensions of the well are larger than those of the hoop so that there is a possibility of relative movement in a longitudinal direction, and that the well and the hoop are   crossed by a hinge pin (65) around which the wedge can oscillate.   3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a block (63, 64) elastomer is housed in the well (58, 59) so as to control the relative movement of   the arch (60, 61) inside its well (58, 59).   4- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a filter (66) locally maintains the raised block relative to the upper surface of the ski with an effect of   suspension in a vertical direction.   - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the first wedge (20) opposite the second wedge is carried by a stirrup (46), and is retained on this stirrup by a transverse hinge pin ( 50) around which it can oscillate on a limited amplitude.   6- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cushions   elastically compressible (52, 53) are placed under the shim on each side of the axis (50).   7- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear end of the wedge has at least one well (42, 43) in which is housed a hoop (44, 45), that the longitudinal dimensions of the well are more larger than those of the hoop so that there is a possibility of relative movement in a longitudinal direction, and that the well and   the hoop are crossed by a hinge pin (50) around which the wedge can oscillate.   8- Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a block (47, 48) elastomer is housed in the well (42, 43) so as to control the relative movement of   the arch (44, 45) inside its well (42, 43).   9- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inextensible connection is formed by a rod (27) whose one end (33) is integrally joined to one of the shims, and whose other end is formed by a fold (29) housed with longitudinal clearance in   a housing (30, 31, 32) of the other wedge.   - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first wedge is the rear wedge, and the second wedge the front wedge, respectively provided to support the   rear and front retainers.