NO331482B1 - Skiing, special telemarketing. - Google Patents

Abstract

The ski binding (10) has a support mechanism (28) arranged relative to the rear retainer (13) and front retainer (12) over an extendable structural unit (26). The support mechanism is tiltable around a horizontal transverse axis (29), and can be locked by a separate locking latch whenever required. The front and rear retainers are respectively arranged at the front and rear portions of the sole of a ski, and coupled to the structural unit. An effective tensioning mechanism is arranged between the front and rear retainers for raising structural unit and retainers. The tensioning mechanism includes a spring housing (15), a bracing cable (16), a deflection block (17), and an operation lever (19).

Description

The invention relates to a ski binding, in particular a touring, telemark or cross-country skiing binding for attaching a ski boot which has a shaft and a sole, as stated in the introduction to patent claim 1.

Such a ski binding is known from WO 03/101555 Al. This known construction is characterized by the fact that the front holding element, which can for example be designed as a toe iron, is pivotally stored relative to the front and the rear holding element including building unit about an axis running across the longitudinal direction of the sole and approximately parallel to the running surface of the sole. The front holding element is therefore quasi "dynamically" designed. The result is that the front retaining element will offer hardly any resistance when the boot heel is lifted. This is achieved by the front holding element being able to follow the movement of the front sole end in relation to the rear holding element or the building unit comprising the two holding elements. The front sole end is therefore not forcibly pressed down against the upper side of the binding or against the ski by the front holding element or toe iron, so that the front sole end always extends parallel to the ski surface, regardless of the lifting movement of the boot heel.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the known construction with regard to the aforementioned "dynamics", and in particular also to propose measures by which the binding can be converted in a simple way from a "cross-country position" to a "telemark position" and vice versa, since the heel of the boot in the former the position can be lifted essentially freely, while the lifting of the heel in the latter position must be limited by the elasticity of the boot sole and by the counteraction of the clamping device operating between the front and rear holding elements. The heel of the boot can only be lifted slightly in the "telemark position", so that the skier can perform the so-called "telemark style".

This purpose is achieved with the characteristic features stated in patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments and constructive inventive details are stated in the non-independent patent claims.

An important aspect of the present invention is thus that the front

support device assigned to the sole end, against which the front sole end rests, is not an integral component of the construction unit with the front and rear holding elements, but is pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis in relation to the construction unit and can be locked if necessary, namely for the so-called "telemark position" .

By the fact that the sole support device assigned to the front sole end is pivotally mounted, the cushioning of the front sole end will be dynamic in the binding's "cross-country position", particularly when the aforementioned "toe iron" or the front holding element is also pivotally mounted about a horizontal transverse axis, particularly the same horizontal transverse axis. The aforementioned "dynamism" is further promoted by the fact that the aforementioned sole support device is pivotable in relation to the front and rear holding element including, respectively, the building unit or connecting part arranged between these two holding elements, so that an adaptation of the arch of the boot sole takes place when the boot heel is lifted. Said construction unit and sole support device will align in accordance with the arch of the boot sole when the boot heel is lifted. When also the front holding element or toe iron is also pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis, independent of the aforementioned construction elements, the front end of the boot will be held in an essentially force-free manner when the boot heel is lifted.

Advantageously, the support device assigned to the front sole end includes a support plate or strip assigned to the front sole end.

In a manner known in and of itself, the building unit comprising the front and rear holding elements, respectively arranged between these two holding elements, can be designed as a strip, hollow, especially a tube, U- or similar profile. In particular, the aforementioned building unit can alternatively be designed rigidly or flexibly in the vertical plane. With the latter embodiment, an even better adaptation of the sole's cushioning to the arch of the sole is achieved when the boot heel is lifted, especially when the sole of the boot is relatively soft. A cross-country skier then gets the feeling that he/she is not just gliding on the snow, but also "walking". The repulsion of the sole gives the cross-country skier a feeling that a rolling action is taking place against the ground.

The blocking/locking device assigned to the sole support device is described in more detail in claims 4 and 6.

An embodiment as stated in claim 6, where the sole support device and the building unit including the front and rear holding elements are pivotally stored about the same pivot axis, represents a structurally simple and yet functionally correct embodiment. In accordance with the invention, the sole support device and the building unit can be swung relative to each other about the aforementioned same swing axis.

The front holding element is preferably a hoop that grips over the front sole end. The holding element can be designed as a "toe iron". In particular, this concerns an embodiment known per se, as described and shown in WO 03/101555 Al. Advantageously, this hoop is also pivotable about the pivot axis of the sole support device and/or the aforementioned construction unit, so that for the three elements

- front holding bar

- sole support device

- the building unit with front and rear holding element

there is only one horizontal transverse axis as pivot axis. This design is functional and simple, as you can manage with few components.

In principle, one could also imagine having a separate pivot axis for each of the three building elements, or that only two of these have a common pivot axis. The simplest embodiment, however, is the former, with only one common axis of rotation.

For the skier's safety, especially when downhill in the "telemark position" of the binding, it would be advantageous if the front and/or rear holding element enables a lateral swing or release of the boot from the binding. This measure shall here be regarded as an invention independent of the aforementioned main aspect of the present invention. The latter safety measures shall therefore apply to bindings which only satisfy the features stated in the introduction to patent claim 1. A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized by the fact that the rear holding element has two hinged hinges about a respective vertical axis which grip the heel, particularly in the ground plan is approximately L-shaped retaining brackets, which can be swung outwards at a certain torque on the boot, against the action of an elastic element, in particular a torsion spring element.

Alternatively, one can also imagine that the entire holding element can be swung about an upright axis, thereby enabling a lateral release of the boot about the front holding element, as soon as a predetermined lateral torque acts on the boot.

Particular reference should also be made to the embodiment specified in claim 11, where the operating arm assigned to the clamping device on the one hand and to the lock for the sole support device on the other hand can be swung opposite each other in the clamping/locking position. This results in a particularly compact design. In the aforementioned positions of the two operating arms, these are almost on top of each other. To avoid a collision of the two operating arms, one of them is preferably designed as a U-brace, so that the other operating arm can enter the free space that exists between the legs of the U-brace.

It should also be mentioned that the binding designed according to the invention is advantageously mounted on a sled, especially U-profile-like sleds, which are longitudinally displaceable stored and can be fixed in specific places relative to the ski, in particular on a guide plate which is mounted on the ski. This enables easy fitting of the binding when purchasing an associated ski, either by the seller or by the user himself. The same applies to dismantling. During assembly, you no longer need fixing screws or the like that go into the ski. The guide/mounting plate can be very thin and therefore flexible, so that the bending of the ski or a so-called flexing is not hindered by the mounting plate. Advantageously, the guide/mounting plate consists of a very thin plastic profile, with a modulus of elasticity that is less than or at most equal to the modulus of elasticity of the ski surface. Advantageously, the mounting and guide plate is glued to the ski with a large surface. The thickness of the mounting/control plate is approx. 0.5 mm to a maximum of 1.5 mm, preferably approx. 1.0 mm.

Preferred embodiments of the binding according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a ski binding designed according to the invention in side view,

Fig. 2 shows the ski binding in fig. 1 in ground plan,

Fig. 3 shows the ski binding in fig. 1 in a longitudinal section,

Fig. 4 shows the binding in fig. 1-3 in longitudinal section, and in a "cross-country position", with the boot heel lifted (not shown), Fig. 5a shows the ski binding in fig. 1-4 in longitudinal section and in the open state, i.e. an entry approach,

Fig. 5b shows the binding in fig. 5a in a closed position,

Fig. 6 shows the mounting slide for the ski binding in fig. 1-5 in association with a mounting and guide plate, fixed on a ski, in cross-section,

Fig. 7 shows the mounting and control plate in fig. 6 in cross section,

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the ski binding modified with respect to the rear holding element in a plan view, and Fig. 9 shows the embodiment in fig. 8 with a lateral release of the boot or the sole belonging to the boot under the influence of a predetermined lateral torque, so that the boot is released to the side.

The one in fig. The ski bindings shown in 1-7 can be used as touring/cross-country bindings or as telemark bindings. It is designated by the reference number 10. The ski binding serves to fasten a ski boot which includes a shaft and a sole. The ski boot is not shown in detail. It is only in fig. 8 and 9 that the contour of a ski boot sole 11 is shown, clamped between a front holding element 12 and a rear holding element 13. The clamping effect is indicated by the arrow 14. Otherwise, the embodiment in fig. 8 and 9 described in more detail below.

In connection with the embodiment shown in fig. 1-7, it should be mentioned that this also includes a front holding element 12 and a rear holding element 13, between which, for example, a ski boot sole can be clamped against the action of two compression springs arranged in a spring housing 15, which are operatively connected to the rear holding element 13 respectively and a tensioning cable 16, the tensioning cable 16 being laid around a front steering block 17. This steering block 17 is displaceably stored in the binding housing 18 in the longitudinal direction of the binding or the ski, the displacement of the steering block 17 taking place by means of an operating arm 19 pivotably mounted about a horizontal transverse axis. Concretely, an operating cam 20 is arranged between the operating arm 19 and the reversing block 17. This operating cam 19 is pivotably stored in the operating arm 20 about a horizontal transverse axis 21.1 the closed position of the binding, fig. 3, this transverse axis 21 lies below the connecting line between the operating arm 19's pivot axis 22 and the operating cam 20's attack point 23 against the reversing block 17.1 this "above dead center position", the operating arm 19 will be secured in the closed position. In the open position of the operating arm 19, fig. 5a, the transverse axis 21 lies noticeably above the connecting line between the pivot axis 22 and the point of attack 23.

The rear holding element 13, which is designed as a holding bracket arranged in the rear area of the sole, which grips the rearward-directed sole projection, movable in the forward direction as indicated by arrow 24 in fig. 3, by means of operating arms 19 and the tension cable 16 and against the action of the aforementioned compression springs in the spring housing 15. This movement also takes place against the action of a further spring element 25 in a construction unit 26 arranged between the front and the rear holding element, such that a comparison between the figures 3 and 5b and fig. 5a will show.

Fig. 5a shows the binding 10 in an open position, i.e. with the rear holding element 13 shifted backwards in the direction of the arrow 27, under the influence of the compression spring 25 in the building unit 26, which is arranged between the front and rear holding elements and also includes these two holding elements. The movement of the rear holding element 13 in the direction backwards, arrow 27, is first made possible by a movement of the operating arm 19 to an open position as in fig. 5a. Thereby, it is possible that the reversing block 17 and the tension cable 16 can move backwards under the influence of the spring elements arranged in the spring housings 15.

Furthermore, the spring elements arranged in the spring housings 15 serve as a kind of "flexor", i.e. they support the return movement of the building unit 26 towards the ski when the boot heel is lifted. In addition, the spring elements arranged in the spring housings 15 compensate for a deflection of the building unit 26, if this is designed to be flexible.

The construction unit 26 already mentioned several times is the platform, for cushioning the sole of a ski boot, with the exception of the front sole end. The front sole end is supported by a sole support device 28 pivotably mounted in relation to the building unit 26. The assigned pivot axis runs horizontally and across the longitudinal direction of the binding or ski. This pivot axis is denoted by 29. The building unit 26 is also pivotally mounted about this pivot axis 29, preferably in relation to the support device 28 assigned to the front sole end. Moreover, the front holding element 12 is also preferably pivotally pivoted about this pivot axis. The front holding element 12 is designed in a known manner as a hoop that grips the front sole end, respectively as a "toe iron".

As a comparison between fig. 3 on one side and fig. 5a and 5b, on the other hand, will show, the sole support device 28 assigned to the front sole end, which in the embodiment shown is step-shaped, can be locked if necessary with a separate locking element, so that a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 29 is thereby blocked (see Fig. 3 ). For this purpose, the front end of the sole support device 28 is assigned to a latch 30 which, by means of an operating arm 31, can be moved to a position below the front end of the sole support device 28, so far that it rests against the underside of the front end of the support device 28. When operating arm 31 is raised, see fig. 5a and 5b, the sole support device 28 assigned to the front sole end is released, so that it can swing about the axis 29. Thus, the building unit 26 will also be freed for swinging about the axis 29.1 this released position of the latch 30, the binding will be in a so-called " cross-country position", while the binding in fig. 3 is in a so-called "telefield position".

The operating arm 31 includes a cam 32, which cam engages in a complementary recess 33 in the latch 30, so that upon a pivoting movement of the operating arm 31 about a horizontal transverse axis, the pivot axis 22, a corresponding displacement of the latch 30 from its release position will occur, fig. 5a, 5b, and to the one in fig. 3 showed locking position and vice versa. From the description and from fig. 3, 5a and 5b, it will be understood that the two operating arms 19 and 31 have a common axis of rotation, namely the axis of rotation 22.

Furthermore, you can see from the figures that the building elements

- building unit 26

- the sole support device 28

- front holding element 12

has a common pivot axis, namely the pivot axis 29. This pivot axis design is particularly simple, as it is characterized by a minimal number of construction parts.

It should be mentioned here once again that the sole support device is only assigned to the front sole end. In accordance with this, the front sole end is thus fitted between, on the one hand, the front holding element 12 and, on the other hand, the aforementioned sole support device 28, i.e. that the sole end is held or supported upwards and downwards between these two elements. The lateral push-off of the front sole end likewise takes place with the front holding element 12, which holding element is designed as a toe iron (see also fig. 2).

One can also imagine that the front holding element 12 and the sole support device 28 are pivotally stored together, i.e. not independently of each other, about the pivot axis 29. Alternatively, one can also imagine that these two building elements can also be pivoted relative to each other. In all cases, a relative pivotability between the building unit 26 on the one hand and the front holding element 12 and the sole support device 28 on the other hand is essential.

Reference should also be made here to fig. 4. This shows a longitudinal section through the binding 10 in the closed position and with the boot heel raised. The sole support device 28 assigned to the front sole end is released and can thereby pivot about the pivot axis 29 in the same way as the front holding element 12 and the building unit 26 including the front holding element 12 and the rear holding element 13.

Fig. 4 shows in the same way as fig. 1 that the described binding 10 is mounted on a slide 34 with two side rails 35. These two side rails 35 are located within corresponding, downwardly extending side rails 26 on the building unit 26 (see fig. 1). Thereby, optimal lateral stability is achieved for the construction unit 26 relative to the slide 34 and thus relative to the connection with the ski.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section through the slide 34. The slide 34 is thus designed as a kind of U-profile. Furthermore, the slide 34 is longitudinally displaceable stored and can be fixed at specific locations 38 on a ski-mounted mounting and control plate 37, not shown in detail here. These specific locations 38 are defined by means of longitudinally spaced bores in the mounting and control plate 37.1 the bores can be inserted a fixing pin 39 (see Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b).

The two operating arms 19, 31 can be aligned - as in the embodiment shown - or they can be swung in the opposite direction in the tension/lock position. They are also designed so that they do not collide with each other. To achieve this, the two operating arms are designed as U-braces, as the operating cam 20 can enter the free area between the two legs by a movement of operating arms 19, 31 to the closing/locking position, as shown in fig. 2, 3 and 4.

Reference will now again be made to the embodiment in fig. 8 and 9. This embodiment differs from the one described above only in that the rear holding element 13 includes two pivotably mounted hoops about an upright axis 40 which grip a rearward-directed sole projection 41, namely approximately L-shaped retaining hoops 42 in the ground plan, which upon impact of a predetermined lateral torque "M" against the boot can be swung outwards (see lower holding bracket 42 in Fig. 9), against the action of elastic elements, especially torsion spring elements.

At the same time, the rear holding element 13 is then displaced in the direction of the arrow 43 in fig. 9, i.e. backwards, against the action of the aforementioned spring elements. The sole 11 and the associated boot can thus dodge laterally and revolve almost around the front holding element 12 (see fig. 9). In this way, a high degree of safety is achieved for the user of the described binding, particularly with regard to complicated torsional fractures.

All features shown in the description and in the drawing are considered to be essential to the invention, to the extent that they are individually or in combination new compared to the state of the art.

Reference number list:

Claims (12)

1. Ski binding (10), especially touring, telemark or cross-country binding, for fixing a ski boot which has a shaft and a sole (11), - with a front holding element (12) for a front sole part, - one for cooperation with the sole or the heel of the ski boot designed rear holding element (13), - a clamping device (15, 16, 17, 19) operating between the front and the rear holding element with which the ski boot can be inserted between the front (12) and rear (13) holding element so that the heel can is lifted freely, and with - a relative to the front holding element (12) about a horizontal transverse axis (29) pivotally stored building unit (26) which includes the front (12) and the rear (13) holding element, characterized in that the front sole end is assigned a special sole support device (28) which can pivot relative to the front (12) and rear (13)-comprising construction unit (26) about a horizontal pivot axis (29), and if necessary can be blocked with a special locking element (30). 2. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole support device (28) assigned to the front sole end includes a support plate, support strip or a support step. 3. Ski binding according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the building unit (26) including the front (12) and rear (13) holding element is in the form of a strip, hollow, especially tube, U or similar profile, and is rigidly designed or designed flexibly in the vertical plane. 4. Ski binding according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the locking element is a locking device (30) which, by means of an operating arm (31), can be swung and/or moved from a release position for the sole support device (28) assigned to the front sole end and into a locking position for this, or vice versa. 5. Ski binding according to claim 4, characterized in that the operating arm (31) assigned to the latch (30) includes a cam (32) which engages in a complementary recess (33) in the latch (30), so that upon a swinging movement of the operating arm (31) a corresponding displacement of the latch (30) from its release position to its lock position, and vice versa. 6. Ski binding according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the sole support device (28) assigned to the front sole end and the building unit (26) including the front (12) and the rear (13) holding element are pivotally stored about the same pivot axis (29). 7. Ski binding according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the front holding element (12) is designed as a toe iron with a hoop that grips a front sole end, and that the front holding element (12) is likewise pivotable about the pivot axis assigned to the sole support device (28) and/or the building unit (26) (29). 8. Ski binding, in particular according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the rear holding element (13) includes two hinged about an upright axis (40) and a sole projection (41) encircling and overhanging hoops, particularly in the ground plan approximately L-shaped retaining hoops (42), which by the impact of a previously certain lateral torque "M" on the boot can be swung outwards and release the boot, the swing taking place against the action of elastic elements, especially spring elements. 9. Ski binding according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the clamping device (15, 16, 17) acting between the front (12) and the rear (13) holding element is assigned to an operating arm (19). 10. Ski binding according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating arm (31) assigned to the latch (30) is arranged between the front holding element (12) and the operating arm (19) assigned to the clamping device (15, 16, 17). 11. Ski binding according to claim 10, characterized in that the two operating arms (19, 31) are pivotable in the same direction or opposite each other in the locking position, to a respective top dead center position, and vice versa. 12. Ski binding according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that it is mounted on a slide, in particular a U-profile-like slide (34), which slide is longitudinally displaceable stored and can be fixed at specific locations (38) on the ski, in particular on a ski mounted mounting and control plate (37).