US3866928A

US3866928A - Safety ski binding

Info

Publication number: US3866928A
Application number: US304736A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernst Gertsch; Ulrich Gertsch
Original assignee: Gertsch AG
Current assignee: Gertsch AG
Priority date: 1971-11-17
Filing date: 1972-11-08
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18
Also published as: DE2254268A1; FR2160472B1; CA1031380A; DE2254268C2; JPS4862534A; FR2160472A1; AT323616B; IT973551B; JPS5535149B2; CH536644A

Abstract

A safety ski binding embodying a release plate intended to be releasably secured to a ski boot. The release plate possesses at one end a supporting surface engaging beneath an associated holding surface of a holder element secured to the ski and the other end of which cooperates with a locking pin subjected to the pressure of an adjustment spring, so that there is possible both lateral release of the release plate as well as also upward release thereof away from the ski. A circular-shaped bearing disc is secured to the ski and engages with a lengthwise extending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction with respect to the bearing disc and can be raised therefrom. The supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element form a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

Description

United States Patent [191 Gertsch et a1.

[ Feb. 18, 1975 SAFETY SKI BINDING [75] Inventors: Ernst Gertsch, Wengen; Ulrich Gertsch, Matten, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Gertsch AG [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 21 Appl. NO.Z 304,736

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerDavid Schonberg Assistant Examiner-David M. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmHill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A safety ski binding embodying a release plate intended to be releasably secured to a ski boot. The release plate possesses at one end a supporting surface engaging beneath an associated holding surface of a holder element secured to the ski and the other end of which cooperates with a locking pin subjected to the pressure of an adjustment spring, so that there is possi' ble both lateral release of the release plate as well as also upward release thereof away from the ski. A circular-shaped bearing disc is secured to the ski and engages with a lengthwise extending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction 'with respect to the bearing disc and can be raised therefrom. The supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element form a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

14 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SAFETY 'SKI BINDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of safety or release ski binding embodying a release plate serving for releasable attachment to a ski boot, the release plate having at its one end a supporting surface which engages beneath an associated holding surface of a holder element secured to the ski and the other end of which cooperates with a locking pin which is subjected to the pressure of an adjustment spring, so that there is possible both lateral release of the release plate as well as upward release thereof.

With such prior art ski bindings faulty release of the binding could occur, during normal skiing owing to the favorable friction conditions which were obtained by virtue of the release plate, in that non-dangerous impact forces and the forces exerted by the skier for controlling the movement of the skiis during skiing could cause unintentional release of the release plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it should be apparent from the foregoing discussion that this particular field of technology still is in need of a safety ski binding which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals. Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of safety ski binding of the aforementioned type which effectively and reliably fulfills the existing need in the art and is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art constructions.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of releasable ski binding which overcomes, in an effective manner, the previously discussed drawbacks, and wherein the construction of such binding is relatively simple, renders same economical to manufacture, and the binding is extremely reliable in operation.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention aims at the provision of an improved construction of safety ski binding which generally is only responsive to the type of forces exerted upon the skiers legs which would require release of the binding, so as to prevent premature release thereof under skiing conditions not warranting initiation of the binding release action.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the safety ski binding of this development, also referred to as a releasable ski binding, of the aforementioned type, is manifested by the features that a substantially circularshaped bearing disc which is secured to the ski engages with a longitudinal or lengthwise extending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivot about this bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction relative thereto and can be raised therefrom. The supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element form a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

Owing tothe arrangement of the bearing disc the action of the release forces can be chosen to be more favorable for the different release directions of the binding, and the bearing disc directly contributes to the beneficial result that non-dangerous short-lived impact forces exerted laterally can be absorbed. Hence, the

sensitivity of the ski binding to faulty release action is considerably reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred constructinal embodiment of safety ski binding designed according to the teachings of this invention and shown mounted upon a ski, only a portion of which has been depicted to preserve clarity inillustration and;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the safety ski binding arrangement depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering now the drawing, there is disclosed therein a preferred exemplary embodiment of safety ski binding or releasable ski binding wherein it will be noted that an attachment flange 2 of a sleeve r housing 3 is secured by means of screws 4 or equivalent expedients to the top surface ofa ski 1. A locking element 5a is pivotably mounted in the sleeve 3, locking element 5a possessing a locking pin 5, a domed central portion 6 and a flat end face or surface 7 which cooperates with a planar or flat end surface of a piston 8. The piston 8 is displaceably guided within sleeve 3. A substantially circular ring-shaped shoulder 9 ofthe locking element 5a engages behind a substantially circular ringshaped inner flange 3a at the end of the sleeve 3. A pressure or compression spring 12 is arranged within the sleeve 3 between the piston 8 and an adjustment screw 11 threaded into the sleeve 3. Between the sleeve 3 and the adjustment screw 11 there is inserted a plurality of thin rings 13 by means of which the screw 11 can be fixed in different adjustment positions.

The locking pin 5 of the locking element 5a cooperates with a recess 14a provided at a shoulder or projection 14 appearing at the front or's tanding edge 15 of a release plate 16. At the inside of the upstanding edge 15 there is secured for elevational adjustability, by means of a screw 18 or the like, a sole holder or holddown mechanism 17. At the rear end of the release plate 16 opposite the sole holder or holddown mechanism 17, there are provided threaded bores or holes 19 for selectively receiving threaded bolts 20 which are flexed or bent in a manner to form two legs arranged substantially at right angles to one another. Each of the bolts 20 is connected at one respective end, through the agency of a respective threaded sleeve 21, with a respective tension spring 22. Each tension spring 22 is connected through the agency of a respective angled bolt 23 with a sleeve 24 at which there is seated a clamping lever 25. The one arm 25a of the clamping lever 25 is intended to engage over the heel portion of a ski boot 26, as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 2, and the other arm 25b of which serves as an actuation arm.

Now at the ski 1 there is secured by means of a screw 27 or. any other suitable fastening element a substantially circular-shaped bearing disc 28 which engages with a longitudinal or lengthwise extending slot 29 of the release plate 16. Owing to this arrangement the release plate 16 is pivotable about the central axis of the bearing disc 28 and at the same time is displaceable over a limited distance in thelengthwise direction of the ski. Furthermore, the release plate 16 can be raised upwards away from the bearing disc 28. The rear end of the release plate 16 possesses a bevelled or inclined supporting surface 30 extending in a substantially circular arc-shaped fashion with regard to the upstanding central axis of the bearing disc 28. The support or sup porting surface 30 bears against a correspondingly configured substantially circular arc-shaped bevelled holding surface 31 of a holder or holding element 32 secured to the ski 1. Both of the

surfaces

30 and 31 extend upwardly and forwardly fromthe bottom towards the top thereof and in the direction of the bearing disc 28, as shown. During lateral release, the release plate 16 is rocked about the bearing disc 28, whereas during a fall towards the front by the skier the release plate is shifted towards the front against the pressure of the spring 12 until the supporting surface 30 no longer contacts or engages with the holding surface 31.

Instead of using the illustrated pivotal pin which cooperates with a recess 14a at the front and of the release plate 16 it would be also possible to provide an axially displaceable pin which cooperates with an appropriately constructed countersurface at the front end of the release plate 16, as is well known in this art.

it should be understood that the locking pin 5 could be arranged at the rear end of the release plate 16 and the bevelled surface 30 at the front end of such release plate. Also with this variant embodiment of the invention, as with the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the release plate 16 can be supported at the bearing disc 28 through the agency of the corresponding end of .the lengthwise extending slot 29 While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A releasable ski binding for a ski comprising a release plate intended to be releasably secured to a ski boot, said release plate being provided at one end with -a supporting surface, a holder element for attachment to the ski, said holder element including a holding surface which engages with the supporting surface of the release plate, a spring-loaded locking pin cooperating with the other end of the release plate, means for adjusting the spring-loading of said spring-loaded locking pin, said release plate being releasable laterally as well as upwardly with regard to the ski, a substantially circular shaped bearing disc for attachment to the ski, said release plate having a lengthwise extending slot which engages said bearing disc, so that said release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction relative thereto and can be raised away from said bearing disc, said supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element forming a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc, said supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element cooperating with one another to provide selective vertical release action, said lateral guide having an arcuate surface cooperating with an arcuate surface of said release plate for freely permitting pivoting of said release plate, said spring-loaded locking pin providing both lateral release action and vertical release action for said binding, said spring-loaded locking pin in conjunction with said bearing disc providing different release moments for the ski binding for the vertical release action and for the lateral release action, respectively.

2. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein the release plate contacts the bearing disc at one end of the lengthwise extending slot under the action of the locking pin in the normal non-release condition of the binding.

3. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element extend in respective substantially circular arc-shaped configuration with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

4. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein the supporting surface and the holding surface are respectively inclined from the bottom towards the top thereof in the direction of the bearing disc.

5. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking pin comprises a pivotal pin memher.

6. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking pin comprises an axially displaceable pin member.

7. In a releasable ski binding for a ski including a release plate and means for securing said release plate to a ski boot, the combination comprising first holding means adapted to be secured to said ski juxtaposed with the toe end of said boot, for releasably holding one end of said release plate relative to said ski, second holding means adapted to be secured to said ski at the opposite end of said release plate juxtaposed with the heel end of said boot for releasably holding said opposite end of said release plate against upward motion relative to said ski, said second holding means having an arcuate surface cooperating with a corresponding surface of said release plate for permitting unrestrained lateral movement of said release plate relative to said ski and pivot means adapted to be secured to said ski at a point intermediate said first and second holding means and cooperating with said release plate to permit said release plate to pivot relative to said ski at the location of said pivot means and permitting vertical separation of said release plate from said ski while preventing sidewise movement of said release plate relative to said ski at the location of said pivot means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pivot means comprises a pivot member to be secured to said ski to extend upwardly therefrom, and wherein said release plate is provided with a recess for receiving said pivot member, said recess having opposed side walls for engaging opposed sides of said pivot member to prevent said sidewise movement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including resilient means for yieldingly urging said release plate toward said second holding means, said recess being elongated in a longitudinal direction relative to said ski, to permit longitudinal movement of said release plate against said resilient means relative to said pivot member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said release plate comprises a relatively flat plate, and wherein said recess comprises a slot formed in said plate for receiving said pivot member.

. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first holding means includes spring means for urging said release plate toward said second-holding means with said pivot member bearing against the end of said recess closer to said first holding means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first holding means includes spring means adapted to urge said release plate against said pivot means and for yieldingly restraining pivoting of said release plate rela tive to said ski, and wherein said second holding means includes guide means for cooperating with said opposite end of said release plate for holding it against upward movement away from said ski while freely permitting said pivoting.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said pivot means comprises a pivot member adapted to be secured to said ski to extend upwardly therefrom, and said release plate having an elongate recess for receiving said pivot member and allowing longitudinal movement of said release plate relative thereto, said spring means adapted to yieldingly urge said release plate toward said pivot member with said pivot member bearing against the end of said recess closer to said first holding means, and wherein said second holding means is provided with a first inclined surface, said opposite end of said release plate being provided with a correspondingly inclined second inclined surface adapted normally to underlie said first inclined surface, and wherein said recess is sufficiently long to permit said release plate to move longitudinally relative to said pivot member until said second inclined surface no longer underlies said first surface so that said opposite end of said release plate is free to move upward relative to said second holding means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and second inclined surfaces are surfaces of revolution relative to the axis of said pivot member.

Claims

1. A releasable ski binding for a ski comprising a release plate intended to be releasably secured to a ski boot, said release plate being provided at one end with a supporting surface, a holder element for attachment to the ski, said holder element including a holding surface which engages with the supporting surface of the release plate, a spring-loaded locking pin cooperating with the other end of the release plate, means for adjusting the spring-loading of said spring-loaded locking pin, said release plate being releasable laterally as well as upwardly with regard to the ski, a substantially circular-shaped bearing disc for attachment to the ski, said release plate having a lengthwise extending slot which engages said bearing disc, so that said release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction relative thereto and can be raised away from said bearing disc, said supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element forming a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc, said supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element cooperating with one another to provide selective vertical release action, said lateral guide having an arcuate surface cooperating with an arcuate surface of said release plate for freely permitting pivoting of said release plate, said spring-loaded locking pin providing both lateral release action and vertical release action for said binding, said spring-loaded Locking pin in conjunction with said bearing disc providing different release moments for the ski binding for the vertical release action and for the lateral release action, respectively.

5. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking pin comprises a pivotal pin member.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first holding means includes spring means for urging said release plate toward said second holding means with said pivot member bearing against the end of said recess closer to said first holding means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first holding means includes spring means adapted to urge said release plate against said pivot means and for yieldingly restraining pivoting of said release plate relative to said ski, and wherein said second holding means includes guide means for cooperating with said opposite end of said release plate for holding it against upward movement away from said ski while freely permitting said pivoting.