US3873112A

US3873112A - Releasable rear attachment for skis having a constant release movement

Info

Publication number: US3873112A
Application number: US442095A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lorenzo Covini
Original assignee: COBER FABBRICA ARTICOLI SPORTIVI SpA
Current assignee: COBER FABBRICA ARTICOLI SPORTIVI SpA
Priority date: 1973-02-15
Filing date: 1974-02-13
Publication date: 1975-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-25
Also published as: CH570815A5; DE2406762C3; GB1454045A; FR2217041A1; DE2406762A1; FR2217041B3; DE2406762B2

Abstract

The invention provides a coupling means or heel binding for securing a boot to a ski, while freeing the boot automatically under certain circumstances. The binding includes a plate fastened to the ski, a U-link pivoted on the plate, a body on the U-link and a displaceable unit slidable with respect to the body. A compression spring tends to push the body and unit apart, but they are held together by a coupling lever. When in use, the spring urges a pressure lever into the back of the boot, and a limited amount of boot flexure is permitted. If excess movement takes place, the unit slides along the body and encounters an adjustable stop which releases the coupling lever. This frees the pressure lever from the boot. A strap is provided to permit normal engagement and disengagement between the binding and the boot.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Covini [111 3,873,112 [451 Mar. 25, 1975 [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Cober Fabbrica ArticoIiSportivi S.p.A., Milan, Italy [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 442,095

Lorenzo Covini, Milan, Italy [30] Foreign Application Priority Data l,9l 1,740 3/1969 Germany 280/1 [.35 T

Primary Examiner-Robert R. Song Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kurt Kelman [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention provides a coupling means or heel bindingjorsecuring a boot toa ski, while freeing the boot automatically under certain circumstances. The binding includes a plate fastened to the ski, a U-link piv- 1973 I I $2; 1973 :2 oted on the plate, a body on the U-lmk and a displacei able unit slidable with respect to the body. A compres- 2 u. (:1 1. 280 11.35 T Spring ends Push the body 3 l E CL. u 9/08 they are held together by a coupling lever. When in [58] Field of 5 35 T use, the spring urges a pressure lever into the back of the boot, and a limited amount of boot flexure is per- [56] References Cited mitted. If excess movement takes place, the unit slides along the body and encounters an adjustable stop UNITED STATES PATENTS which releases the coupling lever. This frees the pres- Welker v T ure lever from the A strap is provided to permit normal engagement and disengagement between the 3:797:843 3/1974 Salomon.IIIIIIIIQII:I: 280/1 135 T bmdmg and the boot FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 472,899 3/1965 Switzerland ZSO/l L35 T W y y 78 l /4 j ettx$ 95 8 1 1'0 2 17/ 3.?

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A! ..1 l 4 m M t\\\t Q3 PATENIED HAR 2 5 I975 SHEET 2 0F 4 RELEASABLE REAR ATTACHMENT FOR SKIS HAVING A CONSTANT RELEASE MOVEMENT The present invention concerns arear attachment for skis, releasable upon a predetermined load, of the type commonly called heel binding" consisting of a rear attachment acting directly from each side on the heel of the ski boot and rotatable therewith, wherein the release movement remains constant independently of the incline and position of the attachment relatively to the ski and the boot, whilst the heel is allowed a certain amount ofresilient movement, it being possible to vary the elastic load and the length of the resilient movement by displacing the position of the starting point of said release movement.

Releasable rear attachments for skis are known in which one or more springs of the spiral type subjected to compression or traction to a predetermined load, urge the heel of the boot against the ski and the reaction thereof causes a continuous movement ofthe release member until said member looses contact with the associated retaining means and the attachment opens.

These retaining means is known types of rear attachments may include a fixed stop, such as a hole, in which the displaceable member slides until it issues therefrom, or levers may be provided which close and open with a click when made to pass beyond a certain raised point.

These known attachments have various disadvantages connected with the different shapes and sizes of the boots of the wearer. Thus, in varying the thickness of the point of support on the heel, the incline of the attachment also varies, as does the action of the springs on the point of support during use, with consequent partial variation of the opposing action itself.

It follows that during the use of the attachment, the members which co-operate with the release action are continuously in movement even if the predetermined opening limit is not reached.

In the releaseable heel binding of the invention, the said disadvantages are surmounted and various advantages follow from the construction and operation of the device, as will be explained hereinafter.

The invention provided a releasable heel binding for skis, comprising a body firmly connected to the ski and a displaceable unit sliding longitudinally on said body, said displaceable unit including a slide, a pressure lever acting on the heel of a ski boot, and a coupling lever acting on said pressure lever, there being interposed between the body and the displaceable unit a compression or torsion spring operating so as to permit limited elastic movement of the displaceable unit together with the heel which drives it, the release of the pressure lever beginning at the end of the elastic movement and by engagement of the coupling lever with an abutment connected to the body of the binding.

The body maybe connected to the ski by a stirrup and the spring has a predetermined unchangeable load.

The body is strongly applied against the intermediate part (cross piece) of the U-shaped stirrupand represents both the abutting fixed base for one end of the spring and the seat for the abutment, the axial position of which is adjustable by means of screws or the like.

The displaceable unit is formed by a slide sliding longitudinally along the long shanks of the U-shaped stirrup, on which slide the pressure lever and release lever are hinged.

The pressure lever is hinged at one end on the rear end of the slide and at the other end carries a roller or the like capable of being inserted above the edge of the heel of the ski boot, presenting, in an intermediate position, a small stop shaft with which the coupling lever engages.

In a position intermediate between the two ends. said coupling lever is hinged on theslide and is provided at its upper end with a detent for coupling with the shaft of the pressure lever and, at its lower end, with an abutmentor roller which comes into contact with the fixed stop or abutment on the body fixedly mounted on the U-shaped stirrup.

In cases where a torsion spring is used, the coupling lever is provided with its own spring which urges it in a direction for maintaining the engagement of the coupling detent with the associated shaft of the pressure lever.

In cases where a compression spring is used, the displaceable base of the compression spring is disposed in the intermediate part of the coupling lever in such manner that the displaceable base is co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the U-shaped stirrup. The fulcrum of said coupling lever is provided, according to the present invention, in a position displaced relatively to the axis of said compression spring, on the side opposed to that where the coupling detent is located, in such manner that said compression spring, in addition to representing the resilient means of reaction disposed between the fixed body and the displaceable unit, also urges the coupling lever in a direction for maintaining the engagement of the coupling detent with the associated shaft of the pressure lever.

As a further feature, the coupling lever has its upper portion formed as an inclined surface on the end of which a fork is disposed provided with a runner or engaging extension.

Such a formation makes it possible to raise elastically the swinging end of the pressure lever in such manner that it becomes detached, when free, from the associated heel in order to permit the release thereof.

In order to couple the heel of the present invention, it is only necessary to draw the assembly forwardly from behind towards the boot, proceeding by this movement to insert the roller of the pressure lever on the edge of the heel, with the result that the entire displaceable unit is thrust backwardly, compressing the torsion or compression spring until the coupling lever is engaged by its detent with the associated shaft of the pressure lever. The heel binding thus operates by exerting a predetermined pressure on the heel of the wearer against the supporting base thereof.

Since the pressure is in a direction inclined relatively to the plane of the ski, it admits a component parallel thereto for keeping the toe of the boot in contact with the associated front attachment.

Under conditions of normal operation, the entire displaceable unit of the heel binding slides longitudinally on the shanks of the U-shaped stirrup under the thrust of the upward movements of the boot, and said sliding movement being resiliently opposed by said spring interposed between it and the U-shaped stirrup. However, when the upward movement of the heel exceeds a certain limit, by the effect of an exceptional thrust, the movement of the displaceable unit is consequently greater and the lower end of the coupling lever will come into contact with the fixed stop connected to the U-shaped stirrup.

If the movement of the displaceable unit continues under the action of the boot, the coupling lever is again urged towards the back of the displaceable unit whilst it is retained by the lower end against the fixed stop. The coupling lever is hence urged to rotate until the release of the pressure lever.

The release movement is always constant independently of the position and relative distances between the various parts of the heel binding and the boot, being only dependent on the shape of the lever itself.

According to thepresent invention, the direction of said longitudinal movement is predetermined by adjusting the length of said shanks of the U-shaped stirrup by means of screws or the like associated therewith, whilst the starting point of the opening is adjusted by displacing the fixed stop relatively to the stirrup.

Features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of two embodiments of a heel binding according to the present invention, shown in the attached drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of the heel binding with compression spring, mounted on a ski in a working position, in a section taken on line l-I of FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the heel binding;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the heel binding looking in the directionof arrow III shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a section taken on line IVIV of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the same heel binding as in FIG. 1, but in the open position;

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the heel binding with a torsion spring, mounted on a ski and in the working position, in a section taken on the line VIVI of FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the heel binding of FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the heel binding of FIG. 6, but in the open position, and

FIG. 9 shows a detail in section taken on line IX IX of FIG. 8.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the heel binding is shown to comprise an inverted U-shaped rigid stirrup 1 connected by its ends to flanges 2 of a plate 3 which is rotatable on another plate 4 carried by a support 4a and secured to a ski 5 by means of screws 6.

The plate 3 is disposed beneath the heel 7 of a skiboot indicated by chain-dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 5. The side shanks of the U-shaped stirrup are adjustable in length by screw means 8 relatively to the dimensions of the heel 7.

Connected to the cross piece of the stirrup l is a body 9 having an extension 9a with a bore for a screw 10, and abutment 11 for the end of a spiral compression spring 25.

The attachment also comprises an assembly or unit indicated in general by 12, including a displaceable body 13, on which a pressure lever 14 and a coupling lever 15 are pivoted.

The displaceable body 13 comprises lateral projecting guides 130 provided with surfaces 13b having a low co-efficieht of friction, which engage opposite sides of each shank of the stirrup '1 so as to slide longitudinally thereon. The body is also formed with inner guides 130 so as to slide on the fixed body 9 connected to the stirrup 1.

As may be seen more particularly from FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross piece of the stirrup 1 passes through the body 9 and is connected therewith, and also passes through both longitudinal sides of the displaceable body 13 in the elongated slots 13a in such manner that the displaceable body 13 is able to slide on the fixed body 9 for the entire length of said slots.

The pressure lever 14 is pivoted at one end on the displaceable body 13 on a pin 16, and carries at the other end a shaft 17 with roller 18 which engages the edge of the heel 7 of the ski-boot. Half-way along lever 14 there is a pin 19 for retaining the lever itself in position.

The coupling lever 15 is pivoted in an intermediate position on the displaceable body 13 by the pin 20 and is provided at its. upper end with a coupling detent 21 which can engage pin 19. The detent merges into an inclined surface 21a; at the upper end there is a pin 22 with roller 22a and at the lower end a pin 23 with roller 23a. The lever 15 also has a central cut out 24 receiving spiral spring 25 capable of compression and initially tensioned, disposed between abutment ll of the body 9 and displaceable abutment 24 of the lever 15. The spring 25 is co-axial with the median axis of the U- shaped stirrup l and its minimum initial tension is determined by a construction which cannot be varied by the user.

As may be seen from FIG. 1, the axis of pin 20 of the lever 15 on the displaceable body 13 is below the axis of the spring 25, so that the thrust thereof produces a small torque tending to rotate the lever 15 in the coupling direction in relation to pin 19, i.e. in the direction of arrow A.

A strap 26 (shown in broken lines) is applied to the end 14a of the pressure lever 14 by a screw 14b and terminates at the rear in an eyelet 26a and is extended forwardly until it passes beneath the roller 22a of the lever 15 and terminates in an eyelet 26b.

The screw 10 on the extension 9a of the body 9 has its lower end 10a near the roller 23a of the lever 15 and may be adjusted in an axial position by being rotated within its own female thread. In order to avoid accidental rotation of the screw, part 9b of the body 9 is cut and bent in the course of threading so as to present an impediment to the unscrewing of the screw during use.

Collars 10b are provided to indicate by their projection from the body 9 the relative position assumed by the screw 10.

The operation of the binding is as follows:

In order to bring the binding to the position of use, the skier must, after having placed his boot in the exact position, exert an upward pull on stop 26 by the eyelet 26a.

The roller 18 is brought into engagement with the shoulder defined between heel 7 and the back of the boot whilst the lever 15 slides or the its inclined surface 21a along the pin 19 until detent 21 engages the pin, maintaining the lever 15 in the coupled position.

The position of use is shown in FIG. 1 and it may be observed that the spring 25 is compressed between the body 9 and the coupling lever 15, which lever is connected to the displaceable assembly 12. The opening roller 23a of the lever 15 is located with a clearance from the end 10a of the stop screw 10, so that the entire displaceable unit 12 can execute longitudinal movements sliding on the side shanks of the stirrup 1, resiliently controlled by the spring 25, over the entire distance between the roller 23a and the screw end a, permitting an elastic rise of the heel to the limit permitted by said distance.

In cases in which the movement of the heel upwardly exceeds the permitted limit, as indicated by a chaindotted line in FIG. 5, the displaceable assembly 12 slides on the shanks of the stirrup l to a position where roller 23a touches the end 10a of the screw 10. Thereafter, any further movement of the heel upwardly causes movement of the displaceable assembly, and hence also of the lever 15, backwardly. Since the lever has its roller 23a resting against screw 10 and is still urged backwardly by the pin extending from the displaceable body 13, it rotates in the direction of the arrow B until the coupling detent 21 is disengaged from pin 19.

FIG. 5 shows in full lines the limit of the release position of the attachment, and in broken lines, the position of complete release with the detachment of the boot.

It mayalso be seen from FIG. 5 that, when the pin 19 has passed beyond detent 21, the pressure lever 14 rises, releasing the heel from the roller 18, and the coupling lever 15 is thrust forwardly again by the spring 25. The pin 19 now rests on the inclined surface 21a, which urges it upwardly, compelling the pressure lever 15 to assume a raised position ready for expelling or receiving the shoe again, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 5.

If it is desired to open the heel binding manually, it is only necessary to exert a backward pull on the strap 26 by means of the eyelet 26b. Under this pull, the strap 26 urges the roller 22a and the lever 15 in the direction of the arrow B until detent 21 is released from the pin 19; the pressure lever 14 is then locked and is raised from the inclined surface 21a, releasing the heel 7 from the engagement.

In order to safeguard the surface of the ski against any knocks by the heel binding when opened violently, the plate 4a is provided with a rubber or the like pro tecting bearing 4b against which the extension 9a of the fixed body 9 strikes.

If it is desired to vary the pressure exerted by the at tachment on the boot to lock it to the ski, the spring may be initially compressed to any required degree by lengthening or shortening the side shanks of the stirrup 1 by the screw means 8.

It is apparent that, for the same height of the heel, the initial position of the displaceable unit relatively to the stirrup may vary when the attachment is in the position of use, and consequently pressure on the heel itself may vary likewise.

The release load may be adjusted by varying the starting point of the opening movement by means of the screw 10, the release stroke remaining unchanged.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a variation ofa heel binding similar to that already described, in which the compression spring determining the load acting on the heel of the ski boot, is replaced by a torsion spring. The same parts, or parts having the same function, are indicated by the same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 5 and for these reference is made to the description given above.

In this embodiment also, the U-shaped stirrup is connected to the flanges 2 of the plate 3 rotatable on the plate 4 carried by the support 4a and secured to the ski 5 by means of screws 6. The side shanks of the stirrup l are adjustable in length relatively to the heel 7 by the screws 8.

Similarly, the body 9 has an extension with a bore for the screw 10, and is connected to the cross-piece of the stirrup 1. The fixed body 9 has abutment 11 for one end of the flexion spring. The displaceable unit 12 also comprises a displaceable body 13 on which a pressure lever 14 and a coupling lever 15 are pivoted.

The displaceable body 13 carries a side guide 13a sliding on the long shanks of the stirrup 1 (see also FIG. 9) and may execute a sliding movement limited by the length of the elongated slots 13d in which the short side of the stirrup 1 passes. At its rear end it has an extension 13e for the passage of a strap.

The pressure lever 14, similarly to the one already described, is pivoted on the body 13 by the pin 16 and carries at the other end a shaft 17 with a roller 18 which rests on the heel 7, and also a pin 19 for maintaining it in position.

The coupling lever 15 is pivoted on the displaceable body 13 by the pin 20, and is provided with detent 21 and the inclined surface 210, as specified above.

The embodiment differs in that it has an upper engaging tab 50 and an abutment 51 instead of the roller 23a. The lever 15 is urged counterclockwise into the coupling position by a torsion spring 52 wound a round the pivot pin 20 and its ends bearing against point 53 of the lever 15 and a point 54 on the body 13.

Secured to the displaceable body 13 is a pivot 55 around which is wound torsion spring 56 whose lower end 56a bears against abutment 11 of the body 9 and whose other end 56b bears against the upper wall of the displaceable body 13. The spring 56 is mounted with a minimum initial tension determined by its design, as in the case already described with reference to the compression spring 25.

In this embodiment, the screw 10 of the fixed body 9 has its lower end 10a pointing towards an opposing surface 51 of the lever 15, and can be axially adjusted by screwing. As shown, it locks against adjusting washers 57.

The operation of the heel device with torsion spring is substantially identical to that which has already been described.

In order to bring the attachment into the position of use, it is necessary to pull upwardly on the extension l3e by means of a strap or belt (not shown), but similar to the one indicated by 26 in FIG. 1.

The position of use is indicated in FIG. 6 and it may be noted that the spring 56 is compressed between the stationary body 9 and the displaceable one 13. The opposing surface 51 for opening is located away from the end 10a of the stop screw 10 whereby, similarly to the already described heel binding, the entire displaceable unit 12 may execute longitudinal movements sliding on the shanks of the stirrup 1, resiliently controlled by the spring 56, for the entire distance between the surfaces 51 and 100.

FIG. 8 shows the limiting release position which is obtained, as described above, when the rise of the heel 7 exceeds the limit permitted for elastic movements. Then the surface 51 comes into contact with the end 10a of the fixed screw 10 and the lever 15 begins to rotate in the direction of the arrow B until, on further raising of the heel 7, the coupling detent 21 leaves engagement with the pin 19. The pressure lever 14 rises as described above, assuming the position indicated in broken lines and releasing the boot. In order to open the attachment by hand, it is only necessary to pull the tab 50 of the lever in the direction of the arrow B.

All details not mentioned, are identical with those already described with reference to FIGS. 1 5.

l claim:

1. A releasable binding for the heel of a ski boot placed on a ski, comprising 1. a substantially rigid elongated body,

2. means for pivotally connecting the body to the ski,

3. a displaceable unit slidable longitudinally on'the elongated body, the unit including a. a slide mounted for sliding on the body,

b. a pressure lever pivoted to the slide for acting on the heel, and

c. a coupling lever pivoted to the slide and acting on the pressure lever,

4. an abutment on the body for engagement by the coupling lever, and

5. a spring interposed between the body and the displaceable unit, the spring operating to permit limited sliding elastic movement of the unit relative to the body and any elastic movement in excess of the permitted limited movement causing engagement of the coupling lever with the abutment to release the pressure lever from the heel.

2. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, wherein the spring is a compression spring interposed between the body and the coupling lever of the displaceable unit, the spring being arranged to resist the elastic sliding movement and to urge the coupling lever to hold the pressure lever in a position acting on the heel.

3. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable plate pivoted on the ski and wherein the connecting means comprises a U-shaped, substantially rigid stirrup having two shanks adjustable in length, the stirrup being pivotally mounted on the rotatable plate, and the abutment is adjustable.

4. The releasable heel binding of claim 3, wherein the displaceable unit has guides projecting laterally from the unit for sliding engagement with the shanks of the stirrup for longitudinal displacement therealong, the guides having surfaces of a low friction coefficient engaging the shanks.

5. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, wherein the pressure lever has a rear and a front end, the pressure lever being pivoted to the rear end of the slide, and further comprising a roller for acting on the heel at the front end of the pressure lever, and means for locking the pressure lever to the coupling lever.

6. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, wherein the coupling lever defines a detent, the pressure lever has an element engageable by the detent for coupling the levers, the coupling lever has a pressure point adjacent the abutment for applying a force to the coupling lever to disengage the pressure lever element and the cou pling lever detent, and an inclined cam surface adjacent the detent, the coupling lever being pivoted about a fulcrum intermediate the pressure point and the inclined cam surface, and the cam surface acting on the pressure lever element to urge the pressure lever to be released from the heel.

7. The releasable heel binding of claim 6, further comprising a helical compression spring having an axis and interposed between the body and the coupling lever of the displaceable unit, the fulcrum of the coupling lever being so displaced in respect of the compression spring axis that a resulting torque tends to keep the coupling lever coupled with the pressure lever.

8. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, further comprising a manually controllable strap connected to the pressure lever for causing release of the pressure lever from the heel.

9. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, wherein the spring is a torsion spring.

10. The releasable heel binding of claim 9, further comprising a pivot pin mounting the coupling lever on the slide, the torsion spring being wound around the pivot pin and urging the coupling lever into coupling engagement with the pressure lever.

11. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, further comprising visible markers on the abutment for indicating the relative position thereof in respect of the coupling lever.

Claims

1. A releasable binding for the heel of a ski boot placed on a ski, comprising 1. a substantially rigid elongated body, 2. means for pivotally connecting the body to the ski, 3. a displaceable unit slidable longitudinally on the elongated body, the unit including a. a slide mounted for sliding on the body, b. a pressure lever pivoted to the slide for acting on the heel, and c. a coupling lever pivoted to the slide and acting on the pressure lever, 4. an abutment on the body for engagement by the coupling lever, and 5. a spring interposed between the body and the displaceable unit, the spring operating to permit limited sliding elastic movement of the unit relative to the body and any elastic movement in excess of the permitted limited movement causing engagement of the coupling lever with the abutment to release the pressure lever from the heel.

2. means for pivotally connecting the body to the ski,

3. a displaceable unit slidable longitudinally on the elongated body, the unit including a. a slide mounted for sliding on the body, b. a pressure lever pivoted to the slide for acting on the heel, and c. a coupling lever pivoted to the slide and acting on the pressure lever,

4. an abutment on the body for engagement by the coupling lever, and

6. The releasable heel binding of claim 1, wherein the coupling lever defines a detent, the pressure lever has an element engageable by the detent for coupling the levers, the coupling lever has a pressure point adjacent the abutment for applying a force to the coupling lever to disengage the pressure lever element and the coupling lever detent, and an inclined cam surface adjacent the detent, the coupling lever being pivoted about a fulcrum intermediate the pressure point and the inclined cam surface, and the cam surface acting on the pressure lever element to urge the pressure lever to be released from the heel.