FR2820648A1 - SHOE RETAINING ASSEMBLY ON AN ALPINE SKI AND SKIING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A SKI AND SUCH A RETAINING ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ski assembly comprising a ski (1), two front and rear retaining elements (2, 3) assembled to the ski in its central region. The body (6) of the front retaining element and the frame (16) of the rear retaining element are connected to the ski by rigid connecting uprights (11, 12) which are attached integrally respectively to the body and to the frame, descend in the direction of the ski along its lateral sides, and that connecting journals (42, 43) passing through the structure of the ski articulate the lower ends of the uprights and the ski.

Description

removable sleeve is held by fixing means.

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  Shoe retention assembly on an alpine ski and ski assembly comprising a ski and such a retention assembly

  The invention relates to a shoe retaining assembly on an alpine ski.

  The invention also relates to a ski assembly comprising a ski and such a

restraint system.

  Usually, such an assembly comprises for a ski front retaining elements

  and rear, each adapted to releasably retain one end of the shoe.

  Also in the usual way, the front and rear retaining elements are assembled at

the upper surface of the ski.

  We know that this method of mounting the retaining elements on the ski tends to

stiffen the central area of the ski.

  To improve the freedom of the ski in flexion, patent application EP 938 917 proposes mounting the front and rear retaining elements on plates which are connected to the ski by transverse pins. These pins pass through the structure of the ski. In addition to further freeing the ski in flexion, this construction method improves the transmission of forces between the boot and the edges, in particular when the ski is constructed with a shell structure. In this case, in fact, the forces are reduced to the ends of the trunnions, that is to say

  say that they are close to the edges compared to a traditional construction method.

  The invention aims to further improve the transmission of forces between the elements of

  restraint and edges making it even more direct.

  To this end, the ski seems to comprise a ski defined in an longitudinal and horizontal direction, two front and rear retaining elements assembled to the ski in its central zone, the front retaining element having a body and a jaw. retaining the movable boot relative to the body against the return force of a return mechanism housed in the body, the rear retaining element having a movable jaw relative to a chassis connected to the ski, and the ski having two pins connection transversely passing through its structure, each provided to ensure the connection to the ski of a retaining element. I1 is characterized by the fact that the body of the front retaining element and the chassis of the rear retaining element are connected to the ski by rigid connecting uprights which are fixedly attached respectively to the body and to the chassis, descend in the direction the ski along its lateral flanks, and that the connecting pins connect the ends by articulation

  lower uprights and skiing.

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

  annexed drawings which form an integral part thereof.

  Figure 1 shows a side view of a ski assembly according to a first mode of

implementation of the invention.

  Figure 2 shows in perspective the front retainer.

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  Figure 3 shows is a partial sectional view of the ski at the front pin.

  Figure 4 is a partial sectional view at the rear pin.

  Figure 5 shows in perspective the front plate.

  Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rear plate.

  Figure 7 relates to an alternative embodiment of the wafer adjustment mechanism.

  Figure 8 shows an alternative construction of the front retaining element.

  Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of the previous device in terms of its

connecting pin.

  Figure 10 shows another construction variant.

  Figure 11 is a perspective view of the base of the front element of the previous device. Figure 1 shows the central portion of a ski 1 surmounted by retaining elements 2 and 3 of a shoe. In known manner, the retaining elements are provided to retain the

  shoe by its front and rear tips.

  The front element 2 comprises a jaw 5 carried by a body 6. The jaw 5 is here formed of two independent wings 8 and 9, each articulated relative to the body about a substantially vertical axis. In a known manner, each of the wings has a lateral retention zone 9a and a vertical retention zone 9b for the wing 9. The wings are returned to the shoe retention position by a spring housed in the body 6. Such a mode construction of the wing return mechanism is known for example from the request of

  Patent FR 2 640 882 cited here for reference, and will not be described in detail.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, the body 6 of the front element is surrounded by a hoop 10 which extends under the lower surface of the body by two lateral uprights 11 and 12. The hoop is made of any suitable material, in particular in metal, plastic or composite material. I1 is integrally connected to the body by any appropriate means, in particular screws, rivets, glue or the like. In case it is plastic, it could be

  molded in one piece with the body.

  At their lower part, the uprights 11 and 12 are pierced with a hole 13 and 14 provided

  for a transverse journal connecting to the ski. This will be described in more detail later.

  The rear retaining element 3 comprises a retaining jaw 15. In known manner, the jaw is carried by a chassis 16 formed by two lateral uprights 17 and 18

  connected by a transverse panel 20, the assembly forming a sort of "H".

  The jaw is articulated to the chassis around a transverse axis 21 located in the part

upper of uprights 17 and 18.

  A lever 24 for voluntary opening of the jaw is also articulated to the part

upper of uprights 17 and 18.

  The jaw is movable in rotation and in translation relative to the transverse axis 21 against the return force of a spring in a housing located at the rear part of the jaw and bearing against the axis 21. Its movement is guided by guide lights located on the inner face of the uprights 17 and 18. Such a construction is described in patent application WO 00/69532 cited here by reference. Other modes of

  rear element construction may also be suitable.

  The uprights 17 and 18 extend downward under the jaw. At their bottom

  an orifice 23 and 24 is present for a transverse journal for connection to the ski.

  According to the invention, in fact, instead of resting on the upper surface of the ski, and of being fixed to the ski by screws, the front and rear retaining elements are held in suspension above the upper surface of the ski and they are connected to the ski by pins which

cross its structure.

  Advantageously, the ski has a shell structure, that is to say a structure with a

  upper reinforcement layer which covers the core and which descends towards the edges.

  The arch 10 of the front retaining element 2 and the chassis 16 of the rear retaining element 3 form a kind of second shell directly connected to the first, from which it results for the skier a better feeling of the behavior of the skiing on snow, and better

  driving conditions, in particular for the transmission of lateral forces.

  The structure of the ski at the level of the transverse connecting pins is visible in the

Figures 3 and 4.

  Thus, in these figures, the ski is represented with a sole layer 28 which extends between the two edges 29 and 30, a lower reinforcement layer 31, a core 32, an upper reinforcement layer 33 which descends along the lateral faces of the core up to the edges 29 and 30, and an external decor layer 34. Other methods of building the ski are also suitable, provided that the ski has a shell structure at least in its central zone. Preferably, in the s z ones of li ai sound between the amounts of the arce au and the ch âss is with the ski, the side walls of the ski have recesses 36, 37, 38, 39 in which are

  house the lower ends of the uprights.

  At these recesses, the ski is pierced transversely with a bore 40, 41. A pin 42, 43 of diameter adapted to the diameter of the bore provides the connection between the arch, the chassis and the ski. The figures represent trunnions formed of two parts screwed into each other with a countersunk head at each end which is housed in

  the orifice of the uprights which has been previously milled.

  Alternatively, the holes 40, 41 of the ski could be sheathed with a tube. Also, as shown in the figures, one can provide for each of the retaining elements several holes offset longitudinally. This allows a rough adaptation of the

  longitudinal position of the element at the length of the shoe.

  Preferably, the holes 40 and 41 and the other possible holes pass through the structure of the ski at the height of the upper part of the core, just under the upper reinforcement layer. In the longitudinal direction, the pins 42 and 43 are placed in the area of the

  jaws 5 and 15, and preferably internally on the outside of the vertical retention zones.

  In the vertical direction, the construction is provided so that once the assembly is mounted, the body and the jaw of the front element, the jaw 15 and the panel 20 of the rear element are kept raised, suspended over the above the upper surface of the ski. Thus, skiing is more free to flex. Indeed, in the event of bending, the retaining elements have the

  possibility of oscillating over a limited amplitude around their respective connecting axis.

  A layer of elastically deformable material 45 is placed between the body 6 of the front retaining element and the upper surface of the ski. It is for example a layer of elastomeric material whose thickness in the absence of compression is equal or logically

  greater than the space between the body and the ski.

  The front element 2 also has a support plate 46 on which the shoe sole rests. The support plate is linked to the body 6 by any suitable means. For example, as shown in the figures, the support plate 46 is mounted on a plate 47 which extends forward under the deformable layer 45. This deformable layer 45 is glued to the plate and is assembled to the body by any appropriate means, interlocking of complementary shapes, bonding or other. Preferably, the plate is flexible so that the support plate remains applied against the surface of the ski in the event of oscillation of the body around

the connecting axis 42.

  The support plate is of any suitable type. Preferably, it is covered with a layer of anti-friction material. For example, the backing plate is constructed in accordance

  to what is described in patent application EP769312 cited here for reference.

  Other constructions are possible, in particular constructions where the support plate comprises a laterally movable element to accompany the lateral movement of the shoe. Preferably, the rear retaining element 3 has means which make it possible to adjust the initial orientation of the chassis 16. Thus, it is possible to adjust the ski assembly to the

  length of the shoe with precision.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, the means include a longitudinal screw 4 8 screwed into a housing 49 linked to the ski behind the chassis 16. The end of the screw 48 bears on

  the transverse panel and forms a stop whose position is adjustable.

  For example as shown in Figure 6, the housing 49 is mounted integrally on a plate 50 which rests against the upper surface of the ski. The plate has two legs 51 and 52 which descend along the lateral flanks of the ski on the inside of the uprights 17 and 18. The legs 51 and 52 are pierced at their lower part, and

  they are linked to the ski by the connecting axis 43.

  On the front, the plate extends in front of the chassis, and it carries in this zone a support plate 53 provided to support the rear end of the shoe sole. The support plate is made integral with the plate by any appropriate means, screwing, riveting bonding or the like. It can be formed in one piece with the plate. Of

  preferably, the support plate is curved in the longitudinal direction.

  A ski brake can be associated with the support plate.

  FIG. 7 schematically represents an alternative embodiment according to which the screw 58 is mounted in free sliding relative to the housing 59. A compression spring is placed between a nut 61 screwed onto the part of the screw located on the side of the chassis and housing. The nut is immobilized in rotation by any suitable means. In this way, once in abutment against the screw, the chassis can still oscillate backwards, against the elastic restoring force opposed to it by the spring 60. This facilitates the flexing of the ski. Other modes of

  construction could also be suitable.

  Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the front retaining element. The body 66 of the element 65 has a construction similar to that of the preceding body 6, it is connected to a

  base 67 by an elastically deformable zone 67a forming a kind of elastic hinge.

  Overall, the body and its base are built in accordance with the patent application

  FR 2,640,516 cited here for reference.

  Towards the jaw area, the base 67 has two branches 68 and 69 which descend along the lateral sides of the ski. The branches are pierced with an orifice, and

  they are linked to skiing by a journal 70 which crosses the structure of the ski.

  As in the previous case, the base is kept raised relative to the upper surface of the ski, and a layer of elastically deformable material 71 is placed between

the base and the ski.

  FIG. 10 relates to another variant implementation of the invention.

  The front element 72 comprises a jaw 73 and a one-piece body 74. The body 74 is

  movable relative to a pivot 75 mounted on a base 76.

  The base 76 has two branches 78, 79 which descend downwards along the lateral flanks of the ski. A pin 80 ensures the connection of the base to the ski according to the same construction method as that which has been described previously. Preferably an elastic layer

  deformable 81 is interposed between the base and the upper surface of the ski.

  The rear element 82 has a jaw 83 and a one-piece body 84. The body is pivotable about a transverse axis 85 carried by a chassis 86. With respect to this axis 85, it also has vertical elasticity, and can move upwards against the restoring force exerted by

a spring housed in the body.

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  A lock 87 secured to the body is retained by a transverse pin 88 secured to the chassis. Beyond a determined vertical stroke of the body, the lock escapes the axis and the body is released in rotation around the axis 85, thereby releasing the shoe. Such a construction is for example described in patent application FR 2 577 815 cited here for reference. Other modes of construction of the mechanism for retaining and releasing the

  shoe may also be suitable.

  The chassis 86 is connected to the ski by two uprights 90 which run along the lateral sides of the ski. The uprights are connected to the ski at their lower part by a transverse journal 91 which crosses the structure of the ski. Preferably, the length of the uprights can be adjusted, for example by a screw system, to adjust the spacing of the retaining elements to the length

of the shoe.

  Several accommodations can be provided in the ski for pins 80 and 91.

  Naturally, the present description is given for information only, and one could

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

Claims (7)

  1- Ski assembly comprising a ski (1) defining a longitudinal and horizontal direction, two front and rear retaining elements (2, 3, 65, 72, 82) assembled to the ski in its central zone, the front retaining element (2, 65, 72) having a body (6, 66, 74) and a shoe retaining jaw (5, 73) carried by the body and movable against the restoring force of a restoring mechanism housed in the body, the rear retaining element (72, 74) having a jaw (15, 83) movable relative to a chassis (16, 86) connected to the ski, and the ski having two connecting pins (42, 43, 70, 79, 91) transversely passing through its structure, each provided to ensure the connection to the ski of a retaining element, characterized in that the body (6, 66, 74) of the front retaining element and the chassis (16 , 86) of the rear retaining element are connected to the ski by rigid connecting uprights (11, 12, 51, 52, 68, 69, 78, 90) which are securely attached respectively to the body and to the chassis, descend in the direction of the ski along its lateral flanks, and that the connecting pins (42, 43, 70, 80,   91) articulate the lower ends of the uprights and the ski.   2- assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the uprights (11, 12)   are the extensions of a hoop (10) which encloses the body (6) of the retaining element.   3- assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the uprights (68, 69,   78, 79) come from a base (67, 76) which supports the body.   4- assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (6) is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski and that a layer of deformable material   (45) is interposed between the body (6) and the upper surface of the ski.   - Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (66, 74) is carried by a base (67, 76), that the base (67, 76) is raised relative to the upper surface of the ski, and that a layer of deformable material (71, 80) is disposed between the   base (68, 76) and the upper surface of the ski.   6- An assembly according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the layer of elastically deformable material (45, 71) is assembled on a plate (47) which supports   the support plate (46) of the shoe.   7- assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate (47) is flexible. 8- assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a stop (48) allows   to adjust the initial orientation of the chassis (16).   9- assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower end of the uprights (11, 12, 51, 52, 68, 69, 78, 79, 90) is housed in recesses (36, 37, 38,   39) located on the side faces of the ski.   - Shoe retaining assembly on a ski comprising two front and rear retaining elements (2, 3, 65, 72, 82), the front retaining element (2, 65, 72) having a 8 2820648   body (6, 66, 74) and a shoe retaining jaw (5, 73) carried by the body and movable against the restoring force of a restoring mechanism housed in the body, the rear retaining element ( 72, 74) having a jaw (15, 83) movable relative to a chassis (16, 86), characterized in that the body (6, 66, 74) of the front retaining element and the chassis (16, 86) of the rear retaining element have rigid connecting uprights (11, 12, 51, 52, 68, 69, 78, 79, 90) which are fixedly attached respectively to the body and to the chassis and which are provided to extend the lateral sides of the ski and be connected to the ski by a pin