SE1651363A1 - Ski binding for flexible ski shoe sole - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ski binding inten-. ded for attachment of a ski shoe having a shoe tip that is flexible in the longitudinal direction and equipped with a transverse locking pin in the forward part of the shoe tip, and which is wider than the shoe tip such that the locking pin protrudes some way out on each side of the shoe tip. The ski binding is suitable for cross-country, classic style, skating/freestyle, touring and telemark skiing.

Description

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 SKI BINDING FOR FLEXIBLE SKI SHOE SOLE The invention relates to a ski binding intended for a flexible ski shoe. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a ski binding intended for attachment of a skishoe having a shoe tip that is flexible in the longitudinal direction and equippedwith a transverse rod or locking pin at the front part of the shoe tip, and which issomewhat wider than the shoe tip such that the locking pin protrudes some way oneach side of the shoe tip. The ski binding is suitable for cross-county skiing, classicstyle, skating/freestyle, touring and telemark skiing.

Background of the invention The inventor of this invention has previously developed a new type of sole for a skishoe which allows the skier to utilise the foot°s natural movement on push-off orkick without compromising his steering ability and control of the skis. The ski shoesole is described in WO 2013/008079.

This ski shoe sole is characterised in that it uses carbon and/or glass fibre layers togive the sole the necessary mechanical properties in the longitudinal and transversedirection, and the required torsional rigidity, and in that the attachment portion tothe ski binding is configured as a plate-like flat tip with a transverse elevation at thevery front part of the sole tip, as illustrated in Figures 5 a) and 5 b), which are afacsimile of Figures 2 and 3 in WO 2013/008079. The figures show a ski shoe 11with a fibre sole 12. The sole”s attachment area to the binding is indicated by thereference numeral 20 and consists of a flat plate-like part 21 which protrudes infront of the ski shoe 11 and which has a transverse extension 15 that has a markedlylarger thickness and a slightly larger width than the part 21, such that it protrudeson both sides of the plate-like part 21 and forms a hammer head-like profile. ln an exemplary embodiment of this sole construction, the transverse extension 15consists of a cylindrical metal rod and the fibre layers in the forward part of the sole12 are folded around and envelope the metal rod as is indicated in Figure 5 a). lnthis embodiment it is the “inner” part of the metal rod 15 that is enveloped. The“hammer head projections” on the sides are bare, i.e., the metal is exposed there.Experience has shown that this construction is very robust and wear resistant, inparticular if the shoe sole is allowed to rotate about the centre axis of the metal rod15 in the last stage of the kick.

The present invention is a ski binding that is suitable for this type of ski shoe soleand which allows rotation of the ski shoe sole over the centre axis of the frontlocking pin. It will be appreciated that the ski binding is not inseparably bound tothis exemplary embodiment of a ski shoe sole. The present invention will besuitable for any ski sole construction which has a plate-like front portion that is WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 flexible in the longitudinal direction and has a transverse locking pin that forms asimilar hammer head profile.

Prior art From FR 2 577 428 is known a ski binding intended for randonee skiing where theski sole 15 has a dovetail-shaped projection 17 with transverse projecting parts 18that fit into a groove in a stirrup 9 pivotally attached to the ski Via a transverse shaft11 through the upper part of the ski. After the projecting parts 18 have been placedin the groove in the stirrup 9, the ski sole can be locked to the stirrup 9 by means ofa pivotal locking mechanism 20, 21 that clamps the projection 17 down against thestirrup 9 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 in the document. The ski shoe is thuspivotally attached to the ski in that the whole ski binding and shoe rotate over thetransverse shaft 11, as shown in Figure 6 in the document.

US 4 613 150 refers to a ski binding intended for cross-country skiing. This bindingis designed for attachment of a ski sole that has a plate-like projection 6 with atransverse rod or locking pin 7, both parts are made of metal. The ski bindingconsists of a rectangular block 11 with an impressed T-shaped groove intended forreceiving the projection 6 with locking pin 7. The T-shaped groove is formed bymaking a transverse linear recess 12 and a rectangular recess 13 in the block 11.The outer ends of the locking pin 7 will enter into a transverse groove 12 in theblock 11 when the ski shoe tip is inserted into the T-shaped groove. Inside therectangular block 11 lies a U-shaped metal rod 28 that is slidable back and forthinside the block such that the ends of the metal rod 28 will project from the block11 above the ends 7 of the locking pins down in the groove 12 and form anoverlying barrier such that the locking pin cannot come out of the groove 12. SeeFigure 2 in US 4 613 150. The metal rod 28 is pushed back and forth with the aid ofa spring-tensioned locking mechanism 18, 19, 22 placed at the front end of theblock 11.

WO 2013/008079 refers to a ski binding comprising a base plate 31 which, togetherwith a substantially laterally oriented side wall 33 on each side of the base plate anda front transverse wall 24, forms a guide channel 22 for receiving the plate-like flattip 21 of a ski shoe sole of the type shown in Figures 5 a) and 5 b) in the presentapplication. In an embodiment intended for the “hammer head variants” of the skishoe sole, the side walls 33 of the ski binding are equipped with transverse slots 32for receiving the “projection” of the transverse extension 15. Attachment of the skishoe sole to the binding is obtained in that a transverse clamping bar 27 is presseddown against the extension 15 along the whole width of the extension, clamps itdown against the base plate 31 and locks the “projections” in the slots 32.

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 Object of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a ski binding that can be used with a low-profile sole and shoe, where the whole structure is minimally exposed to icing andthat it is easy to get to and thus remove snow and ice, which may nevertheless havebecome lodged in the binding.

It is a further object of the invention that the binding°s fastening device should notcome into contact with the side walls of the ski track, which would give a brakingeffect.

Similarly, it is an object of the invention to provide a ski shoe sole and a ski bindingthat provide a robust and reliable connection between ski binding and ski shoe sole.

It is also an object of the invention to reduce the weight of the ski binding and skishoe.

Description of the inventionThe objects of the invention are achieved with a ski binding according to claim l.Additional embodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims 2-10.

Compared to the ski binding referred to in WO 2013/008079, the attachmentprinciples are substantially changed, in that there is a departure from the principleof clamping the shoe tip in place in the binding for a hold/lock principle on the endsof the attachment bar, thereby being able to maintain a rotation of the ski shoe oncompleted kick or push-off. This gives less stress on the fibres in the shoe sole, andwill thus be able to prevent any cracks or breaks on long-term use.

The operating mechanism of the binding is new and very robust, such that it nolonger needs to be operated manually, but can easily be operated by the foot/skis orusing the ski poles, even in an upright position, which makes entering and exitingthe binding much easier, as it can be done without having to bend down. This newmethod can be compared with the standardised and problem-free way in which aslalom ski binding is entered and exited.

These objects are solved by a ski binding according to claim l. Additionalembodiments of the invention are defined in dependent claims 2-10.

The innovation of the invention gives the ski binding a weight reduction in therange of from 10 to 40 %, compared with today°s known commercial solutions.

The present invention provides options for a laterally and torsionally steady andstable attachment of a ski shoe to the ski, where the ski shoe has a sole that isalmost as flexible in the longitudinal direction as a running shoe in the toe portionand the metatarsal region of the sole. Ergo, a far more effective push-off is achievedthat engages the calf muscles fully, but which at the same time gives sufficienttorsional and transverse stability to give the skier good control of the skis under allconditions and in particular on downhill slopes.

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 The present invention also means that the binding°s fastening device preferably liesin front of the toes and holds the sole in place against the ski, such that the foot willalways press against the surface throughout the execution of a push-off. Theinvention°s combined design of sole and binding ensures that the foot alwayspresses down against the ski throughout the push-off phase, which permits a morepowerful and more effective push-off.

Altogether, the changes in the description make a more robust and simpleconnection between the ski shoe, ski and ski binding, where also the possibility offatigue fractures is reduced to a minimum without reducing the sole”s flexibility inthe longitudinal direction and rigidity in the transverse direction.

The ski binding according to the invention can advantageously be integrated with aski plate which will lie between the binding and the ski. An object of the ski plate isto permit a releasable attachment of the binding without screwing screws or in someother way engaging in the ski itself. Another object is to give the end user a moreflexible solution in that the ski binding can easily be transferred from one pair ofskis to another. A further object is to form an “add-on layer” on the ski that lifts theski binding and the ski shoe a little way above the ski. This can be especiallyadvantageous when the ski binding is used together with ski shoes of the typereferred to in WO 2013/008079, as these ski shoes have a very low profile whichfollows the flat sole (lacks relatively thick longitudinal ribs/grooves under the solelike those that today°s commercial cross-country ski shoes have), which can easilyresult in the ski shoe butting against the edge of the ski track. ln an alternative embodiment, the binding can be included in a new fasteningsystem against a fixed flat ski plate that is fastened to the ski in that the undersideof the binding°s base plate is provided with a groove complementary to a groove inthe ski plate which allows an attachment of the ski binding to the ski plate in severalpositions with the aid of the complementary grooves and a stop screw that locks thebinding to the ski plate without any screws entering into the ski. The groove on theunderside of the ski binding can advantageously be configured to form a tongue andgroove type connection with the groove in the ski plate that is fastened to the ski.The underside of the ski plate, i.e., the side facing down towards the ski, may be flatand have no grooves, and will thus be suitable for all types of skis. Alternatively,the underside of the ski plate can be configured such that it will grip and holdsecurely fast to existing solutions for ski plates that are often supplied readymounted on the skis from the ski factory when they are delivered to sales outlets. lnanother alternative, it is only possible to use one or more grooves that arecomplementary to the grooves on the underside of the ski binding base plate withouta ski plate. ln this case, the one or more grooves will be fastened directly on the skiby gluing, screwing or in some other suitable manner.

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 The height that this fastening system builds above the ski allows a somewhat widerbinding platform because it comes higher up in the standardised ski track, and itgives a larger contact face between binding and shoe, which will give betterstability during the execution of the push-off.

List of figuresThe scope and nature of the invention will now be described in more detail withreference to the attached drawings, wherein: Fig. l illustrates a ski binding according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention with overlying bar and locking groove seen in perspective in the closedstate.

Fig. 2 illustrates a ski binding according to a first exemplary embodiment of theinvention with overlying bar seen from the side in the closed state.

Fig. 3 illustrates a ski binding according to a first exemplary embodiment of theinvention with overlying bar and locking groove seen in perspective in the openstate.

Fig. 4 a) illustrates the ski binding shown in Figures l - 3 when it has been releasedfrom the ski plate.

Fig. 4b) illustrates schematically the tongue and groove connection of the ski plateand the ski binding according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 c) illustrates schematically the same connection as in Fig. 4 b), but for theexemplary embodiment where the grooves are fastened directly on the ski.

Figs. 5 a) and b) are a facsimile of Figures 2 and 3 in WO 2013/008079 andillustrate an example of a ski shoe sole suitable for use together with the presentinvention.

Fig. 6 a) illustrates a ski binding according to a second exemplary embodiment ofthe invention seen in perspective in the closed state.

Fig. 6 b) illustrates the same exemplary embodiment as Figure 6 a), but now seenfrom immediately above.

Fig. 6 c) illustrates the same exemplary embodiment of the ski binding as in Figure6 a) in the closed state.

Fig. 6 d) illustrates the same exemplary embodiment as Figure 6 c), but now seenfrom immediately above.

Fig. 7 a) illustrates a cross-sectional full side view of the same exemplaryembodiment as Figures 6 a) and 6 b) along the axis A - A shown in Figure 6 b).

Fig. 7 b) illustrates a cross-sectional full side view of the same exemplaryembodiment as in Figure 6 c) and 6 d) along the axis A - A shown in Figure 6 d).

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 Exemplary embodiments of the invention The invention Will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 1 to4 c) and 6 a) to 7b), which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventionadapted to be integrated with a ski plate that is to be fastened to the ski. Theseexemplary embodiments should not be understood as a limitation of the scope of theinvention, as embodiments are also conceivable where the binding is fasteneddirectly onto the ski by screwing, gluing or in some other suitable manner.

Reference is made to Figure 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment of a skibinding with a fastening device which in its entirety is positioned in front of thetoes. The ski binding according to this exemplary embodiment consists typically oftwo components: a base structure and an overlying bar (1), which may have aprotrusion as shown in Fig. 1 or be a rod-shaped body etc. These parts can beconstructed of any suitable metal, plastic or composite material. Examples ofsuitable materials include, but are not limited to, aluminium, carbon fibre plastic,polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the base structure of the binding comprises a baseplate (14) with a front wall (8) and two side walls (5) that project up from thebinding base plate (14) and enclose a surface/area that constitutes a guide channel(2) on the upper side of the base plate (14). The guide channel (2) will receive theplate-like front portion of the ski shoe sole and should thus be given a shapecomplementary to the plate-like front portion to ensure that the front portion of theski shoe sole cannot be displaced sideways relative to the ski binding. Apart fromthis, there are no limitations to the shape of the guide channel (2), it may be conical,parallel or have any other complementary shape to the front portion of the ski shoesole.

The side walls (5) have a transverse recess (9) which ends in a lower groove (7)intended for receiving the end pieces (“projections”) of the ski shoe sole lockingpin. When these “projections” of the ski shoe sole locking pin have been placed inthe side grooves (7), the grooves (7) will ensure that the ski shoe sole is preventedfrom being displaced forwards or backwards relative to the ski binding.

The front part, i.e., the part of the side wall (5) that is in front of the recess (9), hasa throughgoing opening in the longitudinal direction and forms a housing (11) forreceiving a torque arm (4). The torque arm is fastened pivotally via a transversepivot 15 to the housing (11) as is indicated in broken lines in Figure 2, and is givena shape and a length such that it will always project some way out from the housing(11) in the forward direction (towards the ski tip) regardless of whether the skibinding is in the locked or open state. The torque arms (4) in each side wall (5) areconnected to each other by means of a transverse bar (1) at the front end of thetorque arms as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, which show the binding in respectivelythe open and the closed state.

WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 At the rear end, i.e., the end pointing towards the ski shoe, the torque arm (4) isgiven a 1ength and configuration such that it wi11 a1ternate between being withdrawninto the housing (11) when the binding is in the open state (see Figure 3), andprojecting out of the housing and pressing down against the groove (7) (as shown inFigures 2 and 3) when the binding is in the 1ocked state. Opening and 1ocking of thebinding is thus achieved by rotating the torque arms (4) by pushing the bar (1)forwards and backwards between the positions shown in respective1y Figure 1 andFigure 3. The ski shoe so1e 1ocking pin, in this exemplary embodiment, wi11 besecured/fastened to the groove (7) by means of the end pieces of the torque arms (4)which come out of the forward part of the binding housing (11) and grip about andsecure the 1ocking pin”s “projections” when the over1ying bar (1) is 1ifted up againstthe front wa11 (8), as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 (the figures do not show the1ocking pin or other parts of the ski shoe/ski so1e). The edges of the side wa11s (5)are so high that they provide a 1atera1 support to the attachment of the so1e whenpush-off has been comp1eted. This contributes to a robust connection between so1eand binding.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 where the over1ying bar (1) is shown in the openposition, whereby the cooperating torque arms (4) are withdrawn into the skibinding housing (11). In this open position, the “hammer head projections” of theski shoe so1e (the ends of the 1ocking pin) are 1owered into the 1ocking groove (7)and supported by both the guide channe1 (2) and the guiding edges (5). Asmentioned above, moving the bar (1) up from the ski wi11 cause the torque arms (4)to rotate such that their rear ends come out of the housing and press down againstthe end pieces of the ski shoe so1e 1ocking pin, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Byequipping the front wa11 (8) with an e1evated portion of adapted height such that theend edge of this portion wi11 come into engagement with the over1ying bar (1) when1ifted into the 1ocking position (see Figure 1) and butt against the bar with a suitab1etension, it is possib1e, by inc1uding a recess (10) in the upper end of the front wa11(8), to obtain that the tension in the bar (1) 1ocks it secure1y to the recess (10) with a“c1ick”. This is a very simp1e and robust se1f-1ocking mechanism that can be openedand c1osed by means of skis, po1es or shoes without bending down.

The ski binding can advantageous1y inc1ude an e1astic body on the rear of the frontwa11 (8), i.e., be positioned such that the body wi11 be compressed between the frontwa11 (8) of the ski binding and the ski shoe tip when the skier is in the fina1 phase ofa push-off and 1ifts the ski in order to move the foot forwards to the next push-off.This wi11 give enhanced contro1 of the ski during this part of the push-off or kick.

The to1erance of the distance between the binding°s guide channe1 (2) and thecomp1ementary shape of the so1e tip is preferab1y between 0.01mm and 3mm.

An exemplary embodiment of the ski binding according to the invention is intendedto be fastened to a ski p1ate (3) which is attached to the ski, preferab1y by g1uing or WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 in some other manner that does not include screwing screws into the ski. The skibinding according to the exemplary embodiment will thus obtain advantages in thatthe binding can easily be replaced or transferred to another ski with correspondingski plate (3), and in that the thickness of the ski plate (3) lifts the binding and theski shoe up from the upper side of the ski.

Reference is made to Figure 4 a). The figure shows a ski binding with base plate(14) which, on its underside, has two “female grooves” (12) and a ski plate (3) withtwo “male grooves” (13) having a complementary shape such that they can bepassed into each other and form a tongue and groove type connection. The skibinding base plate (14) has a depression or recess (6) that is throughgoing in thelongitudinal direction and passes through the ski binding base plate (14) to receive ascrew where the head is sunk into the base plate and where the position of the screwcan be changed in the longitudinal direction to vary the ski binding°s attachmentrelative to the ski plate (3) or the ski. Similarly, there is a threaded hole (16) in theski plate (3) for receiving the fixing screw. This hole can advantageously not bethroughgoing such that the screw will not penetrate down into the ski. This permitsshop mounting without drilling into the ski, and allows adjustment of the skibinding°s position in the longitudinal direction as desired by the skier withouthaving to drill.

Figure 4 b) is a schematic side view of an example of the complementary shape ofthe grooves (12, 13) for forming a tongue and groove type connection of the bindingto the ski plate. The recess (6) and the threaded groove (16) are illustrated in brokenlines in the figure.

The recess for screw (6) in the guide channel (2) is, in this exemplary embodiment,constructed for a locking screw to fasten a ski binding to the ski plate (3). Any otherway of fastening the ski binding to the ski plate (3) can also be utilised.

In another exemplary embodiment, it is possible to use only the groove (13) withoutusing a ski plate (3). In this case, the groove (13) is fastened directly to the ski bygluing, screwing or in some other suitable manner. This exemplary embodiment isillustrated schematically in Figure 4 c). The figure illustrates the fastening of thegroove 13 on the upper side of the ski (not shown) by means of one or more screws(23). Other attachment methods are also conceivable, either alone or in combinationwith the screws.

A second exemplary embodiment of the ski binding has the same basic structure asthe first exemplary embodiment in that it uses the same base plate (14) with thesame guide channel (2) and side walls (5) with a transverse recess (9) that ends in alower groove (7) intended for receiving the end pieces (the “projections”) of the skishoe sole locking pin. In the same way as in the first exemplary embodiment, thepart of the side wall (5) that is in front of the recess (9) has a throughgoing openingin the longitudinal direction for receiving a torque arm (4). The torque arm is WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 fastened pivotally via a transverse pivot to the housing (11) as indicated in brokenlines in Figures 7 a) and 7 b), and is given a shape and a length such that it willalways project some way out of the housing (11) in a forward direction (towards theski tip) regardless of whether the ski binding is in the locked or open state. Thetorque arms (4) in each side wall (5) are connected to each other by means of atransverse bar (1) at the forward end of the torque arms.

What distinguishes the second exemplary embodiment from the first is that the bar(1) in the second exemplary embodiment is a rod-shaped body with cylindricalsymmetry and further that the front part of the side walls (5) extends forwards alongthe whole periphery of the front part of the base plate (14) until they meet and areintegrated in each other and that the front wall (8), together with the side walls (5),forms a housing (11) that surrounds the whole of the front part of the binding baseplate and “closes in” the locking mechanism in order to protect it from snow andany debris lying in the ski tracks. Further, in the second exemplary embodiment acover (18) is fastened pivotally Via a pivot (21) to the ski binding's side walls (5) atthe very front edge of the ski binding.

The second exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 a) to 7b). Figures 6 a)and 6 b) show the binding in the closed position, seen respectively obliquely fromabove and immediately from above. Figure 7 a) shows a cross-section of the bindingseen in full side view along the plane indicated in the broken line designated A - Ain Figure 6 b). Figures 6 c) and 6 d) show the binding in the open position, seenrespectively obliquely from above and immediately from above. Figure 7 b) shows across-section of the binding seen in full side view along the plane indicated in thebroken line designated A - A in Figure 6 d). ln Figures 6 a) and 6 b) the cover (18) is closed. ln this position, the torque arm (4)has been rotated such that it projects from an, in the longitudinal direction, through-going opening (17) in the housing (11) and presses down against a lower transversegroove (7) in the transverse slot (9), and will fasten a locking pin that has beenplaced into the groove (7) in exactly the same way as in the first exemplaryembodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3. ln Figures 6 c) and 6 d), the cover (18) hasbeen put in the open position. ln this position, the torque arm (4) has been rotated soas to draw it into the longitudinal opening (17), thereby enabling a locking pin inthe groove (7) to be freely lifted up.

As in the first exemplary embodiment referred to above, this exemplaryembodiment also comprises a torque arm (4) in each side wall (5) that is fastenedpivotally via a transverse pivot (15) to the housing (11) and given a shape and alength such that it will always project some way out of the housing (11) in theforward direction (towards the ski tip) regardless of whether the ski binding is in thelocked or open state. The torque arms (4) in each side wall (5) are connected to eachother by means of a transverse bar (1) at the front end of the torque arms, which is WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/051703 not shown in Figures 6 a) to 6 d) as this part of the binding°s locking mechanismlies inside the housing (11). Figure 6 c) shows, however, that the mechanicalconnection between the torque arm (4) and the cover (18) comprises an underlying(pointing down towards the base plate (14)) fastening device (19) and a torquetransfer arm (20) which at one end is pivotally fastened to the cover”s lockingattachment device (19). At the second end, the torque transfer arm (20) is pivotallyfastened to the transverse bar (1), which also cannot be seen from Figures 6 a) to 6d) as this part of the locking mechanism, too, lies inside the housing (11).

Figure 7 a) shows the ski binding according to the second exemplary embodiment inclosed position in full side view over a vertical cross-section along the broken lineshown in Figure 6 b) to illustrate the closing mechanism in greater detail. ln thisposition, the binding is closed in that the cover (18) has been rotated over the shaft(21) such that it butts against the housing (11) (the figure shows only the upper part,the “roof” of the housing). ln this position, the shaft (22) via which the torquetransfer arm (20) is pivotally fastened to the cover”s locking attachment device (19)is located such that the torque transfer arm (20) has rotated the torque arm (4) viashaft (15) such that its projection projects from the longitudinal opening (17) (notshown) in the housing and presses down against the groove (7). The torque transferarm (20) is pivotally fastened to the torque arm (4) at the shaft/bar (1). The lengthbetween shaft (22) and (1) on the torque transfer arm (20) can advantageously beadapted such that when the cover is in this position, a tension is obtained that locksit in place butting down against the “roof” of the housing (11).

Figure 7 b) shows the same cross-section as in Figure 7 a) in the open position. lnthis figure it can be seen that now the cover°s locking attachment device (19) hasdrawn the torque transfer arm (20) forwards such that the torque arm (4) is rotatedback inside the longitudinal opening (17) (not shown) in the housing (11).

The second exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Figures 6 a) to 7 b) with twoparallel torque transfer arms (20) and two locking attachment devices (19). Thisshould not be interpreted as obligatory for the invention. Embodiments areconceivable which utilise only one torque transfer arm (20) and one lockingattachment device (19), or three or more torque transfer arms (20) and three lockingattachment devices (19).

Claims (10)

1. A ski binding having a forward direction intended to point towards the ski tip and a rear direction opposite to the forward direction, comprising: - a base structure comprising a base p1ate (14), two essentia11y 1ongitudina1 sidewa11s (5) on each side of the base p1ate, an essentia11y transverse front wa11 (8)which projects up from the base p1ate, the side wa11s (5), the front wa11 (8) and thetop of the base p1ate (14) forming a guide channe1 (2) for receiving a ski shoe so1ewith a p1ate-1ike front portion and a transverse 1ocking pin with two end pieces, andwhere the side wa11s (5) have a transverse recess (9) that ends in a 1ower transversegroove (7) intended for receiving the end pieces of the ski shoe so1e 1ocking pin,and - a 1ocking mechanism comprising a transverse bar (1) and two torque arms (4),characterised in that: - a front part of each side wa11 (5) in front of the recess (9) has a throughgoingopening (17) in the 1ongitudina1 direction and forms a housing (11), where a torquearm (4) is 1ocated and fastened pivota11y via a transverse pivot (15) that is 1ocatedinside the housing; - the ends of the torque arms (4) in the forward direction protrude out some way infront of the housing (11) and are connected to each other by the transverse bar (1),and the transverse bar (1) is a1most at right ang1es to the torque arms (4); - the ends of the torque arms (4) in the rear direction are configured such that onrotation about the pivot (15) they can a1ternate between being withdrawn into thethroughgoing opening (17) in the housing (11) and projecting from the housing (11)and pressing down against the groove (7); and - means for ho1ding the bar (1) in the position in which the rear ends of the torquearms (4) project from the housing (11) and press down against the grooves (7).

2. A ski binding according to c1aim 1, characterised in that: - the base p1ate (14) is equipped with a 1ongitudina1 recess (6) for receiving a screwhead; and - a, re1ative to the recess (6), under1ying and throughgoing threaded screw channe1(16) in the base p1ate (14).

3. A ski binding according to c1aim 1 or 2, characterised in thatthe end edge (10) of the e1evated portion of the front wa11 (8) has a transverse recessfor receiving and ho1ding the bar (1).

4. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 3, characterised in that the ends of the torque arms (4) in the rear direction are configured as a grip hookthat grips and secure1y ho1ds the end pieces of the ski shoe so1e 1ocking pin in p1acein the groove (7). WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/05170312

5. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 4, characterised in thatthe e1evated portion of the front Wall is equipped with an e1astic body that wi11become compressed between the ski shoe and the front wa11 (8) when the ski shoerotates up from the ski and/or the ski binding.

6. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 5, characterised in that the underside of the base p1ate (14) has one or more grooves (12) having acomp1ementary shape to the same number of grooves (13) in a ski p1ate (3) so as tobe fastenab1e to the ski p1ate by a tongue and groove type of connection.

7. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 6, characterised in that theski p1ate (3) has a threaded ho1e (16) for receiving a screw for fastening the skibinding to the ski p1ate (3).

8. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 5, characterised in that theunderside of the base p1ate (14) has one or more grooves (12) having acomp1ementary shape to a groove (13) forjoining the base p1ate (14) and one ormore grooves (13) in a tongue and groove type connection, and where each of theone or more grooves (13) are attached immediately onto the ski in the area wherethe binding is to be positioned.

9. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 8, characterised in that: - the means for ho1ding the bar (1) in the position in which the rear end of thetorque arms (4) projects from the housing (11) and presses down against thegrooves (7), comprises an e1evation (10) on the front wa11 (8); and - the height of the e1evation (10) is adapted such that the end edge of the e1evationwi11 come into engagement with and butt against the transverse bar (1) when it is1ifted up to the end edge, in which position the rear ends of the torque arms (4)project from the housing (11) and press down against the grooves (7).

10. A ski binding according to any one of c1aims 1 - 8, characterised in that:- the side wa11s (5) extend a1ong the periphery of the front part of the base p1ate (14)unti1 they meet and are integrated in each other such that, together with the frontwa11 (8), they give the housing (11) a vo1ume that enc1oses the who1e of the frontpart of the binding; and- the means for ho1ding the bar (1) in the position in which the rear ends of thetorque arms (4) project from the housing (11) and presses down against the grooves(7), comprises: - a cover (18) that is pivota11y fastened via a pivot (21) to the housing inthe front part of the housing; - at 1east one 1ocking attachment means (19) under1ying and fastened to thecover (18) and pointing down towards the base p1ate (14); - one torque transfer arm (20) for each of the at 1east one 1ocking attachment WO 2015/159163 PCT/IB2015/05170313 devices (19), Which at one end are pivota11y fastened to the 1ocking attachmentdevices (19) via a shaft (22) and at the other end are pivota11y fastened to the bar(1), and Wherein - the dimensions of each of the at 1east on 1ocking attachment device (19) and thetorque transfer arm (20) are adapted such that When the cover (18) is rotated into afirst position in Which one end of the cover is ti1ted up from the housing (11), thetorque arms (4) are rotated such that they are WithdraWn into the housing°s (11)throughgoing openings (17), and When the cover (18) is rotated into a secondposition in Which it butts against the housing (11), the torque arms (4) are rotatedsuch that they project from the housing°s (11) throughgoing openings (17) and pressdown against the grooves (7).