US3897076A

US3897076A - Longitudinal adjustment device notably for ski bindings

Info

Publication number: US3897076A
Application number: US412658A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Joseph Alfred Beyl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-20
Filing date: 1973-11-05
Publication date: 1975-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-29
Also published as: FR2206960B1; AT325490B; FR2206960A1; CA988115A; JPS4982428A; JPS5321341B2; DE2356164A1; IT999259B; CH581479A5

Abstract

This device for the fine adjustment of the relative longitudinal position of two elements one element being fixed and the other movable, more particularly in the case of a ski binding in relation to a ski, permits at the same time the change from one range of fine adjustment limits to another by combining a worm and rack mechanism, with a knee-action locking mechanism, the worm utilized in this device comprises a shaft having one end engaged in a universal bearing and the other end adapted to be actuated for engaging and disengaging said knee-action locking mechanism relative to the fixed companion locking member carried by the fixed element, and thus permit the change from one range of fine adjustment to another, on the one hand, and rotating said shaft for producing said fine adjustment, on the other hand.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Beyl [451 Jul 29, 1975 1 1 LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE NOTABLY FOR SKI BINDINGS [76] Inventor: Jean Joseph Alfred Beyl, l0, Blvd. Victor Hugo, 58 Nevers (Nievre), France [22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 412,658

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 20, 1972 France 72.41180 [52] US. Cl. 280/ll.35 T; 280/11.35 R [51] Int. Cl. A63C 9/22 [58] Field Of Search 280/1135 R, 11.35 T, 280/1135 D, 11.35 A; 74/425,426,424.8 A: 297/361 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,226,158 12/1965 Strien et a1. 297/361 3,361,435 1/1968 I-lvam 280/1135 T 3,604,720 9/1971 Reuge et al. 280/1135 T 3,774,925 11/1973 Jungkind 74/4248 B 3,810,644 5/1974 Beyl 280/1135 T Primary Examiner--David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-David M. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bierman & Bierman [57] ABSTRACT This device for the fine adjustment of the relative longitudinal position of two elements one element being fixed and the other movable, more particularly in the case of a ski binding in relation to a ski, permits at the same time the change from one range of fine adjustment limits to another by combining a worm and rack mechanism, with a knee-actiion locking mechanism, the worm utilized in this device comprises a shaft having one end engaged in a universal bearing and the other end adapted to be actuated for engaging and disengaging said knee-action locking mechanism relative to the fixed companion locking member carried by the fixed element, and thus permit the change from one range of fine adjustment to another, on the one hand, and rotating said shaft for producing said fine adjustment, on the other hand.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 5b 2b b 17 3 a t V PATENTEU JUL 2 91975 SHEET LONGITUDINAL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE NOTABLY FOR SKI BINDINGS The present invention is directed to an improved device for adjusting the relative position of fastening elements or members in the longitudinal direction, notably toe or heel holding members of ski bindings, this device comprising an adjustment member movably mounted on the binding element to be moved in rela tion to the ski, said adjustment member being constantly kept in meshing engagement with an adjustment rack rigid with the ski.

Many versions of devices of this general character are already known. Thus, one of these known devices consists in disposing, in the binding element to be adjusted or in a binding device to be adjusted in a ski binding assembly, a worm having a fixed axial position and its axis substantially parallel to the ski, this worm being adapted to be actuated from the outside and meshing with a rack rigid with the ski. Rotating the worm in one or the other direction will causes an adjustment of the position of the ski binding member in the longitudinal direction. Now a serious inconvenience of this known device is that said worm must be rotated to a considerable extent when adjusting the ski binding for different ski-boot sizes in order to move the ski binding member relatively great distances. This device is objectionable on account of the considerable loss of time deriving from its use. Another drawback of this known device lies in the fact that premature wear develops at the points of meshing engagement between the worm and rack, due to the constant stress generated during the actual skiing periods, this wear being attended by an excessive play between the two meshing members. This is felt unpleasantly by the skier since it interferes directly with a safe and precise ski steering action.

To avoid this inconvenience, it has already been proposed to incorporate a spring in the worm mounting within the binding casing. Thus, in fact, the wear developing between the worm and rack is at least partially compensated and this spring is also useful for improv ing the longitudinal flexibility of the ski binding. But also in this case the adjustment of the ski binding on ski boots corresponding to different sizes constitutes a tedious, time-robbing operation.

On the other hand, longitudinal adjustment devices of this general type are also known wherein a locking member rigid with the ski binding co-acts with a section member rigid with the ski, said locking member being spring-urged, if necessary. Thus, this locking-member may be brought manually out of engagement with the section member, so that the binding can be moved rapidly for relatively great distances. In fact, this device is advantageous in that it permits a rapid adjustment, but it suffers from the serious drawback of excluding any fine adjustment when the locking member is locked in position on the section member of rack. Since the notches of this rack cannot be closely spaced for reasons of mechanical strength, the accurate adjustment of the ski binding with respect to the boot size becomes uncertain or is obtained only in case of fortuitous coincidence. But under normal conditions this adjustment is only of approximate value. To obtain a perfect adjustment between the locking member and the section member or rack associated therewith, the movable.

binding element must be either pushed beyond normal limits against the boot, or moved slightly away there from. As a result, the boot adjustment in the ski binding is either too tight or too loose. In the first case this may interfere with the proper operation or release of the safety ski binding, and in the other case the skiing pre cision may be impaired. To avoid this inconvenience, compensating mechanisms of relatively complicated construction must be provided, thus making the ski binding more sophisticated and increasing considerably its manufacturing cost. It is the essential object of the present invention to provide a longitudinal adjustment device of the type broadly set forth hereinabove, wherein, while avoiding all the inconveniences of known devices, a rapid advance, a reliable locking action and the necessary fine adjustment of the ski binding are combined into a single device by using particularly simple means.

The solution of the problem set forth hereinabove is brought by the present invention by mounting for free movement the adjustment member of the corresponding ski binding element in a bearing member of the ski binding element and at a point somewhat spaced from said bearing member, said adjustment member being adapted to be locked either in a first position in which said adjustment member is in meshing engagement with the adjustment section member or rack, or in another position in which said adjustment member is disconnected from said adjustment section member or rack, said adjustment member further comprising fine adjustment means adjustable in the aforesaid first position in which said adjustment member is in meshing engagement with said adjustment section member or rack.

With the arrangement according to this invention, when fitting or adjusting the ski binding on a ski boot, for example in ski hiring systems, the ski binding element (i.e., either the toe abutment or the heel holddown device) can be moved rapidly for a relatively great distance in order to perform a first, rough adjustment whereafter the ski binding element is locked to the adjustment section or rack. Then, the final and necessary fine adjustment may be effected by actuating the adjustment member now in meshing engagement with said adjustment section or rack, but only for short adjustment movements. According to a particularly simple and advantageous embodiment of this invention, the arrangement is such that the bearing member provided on the ski binding element is a universal bearing in which the adjustment member can pivot, rotate and slide longitudinally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski, a spacer spring. being disposed between this adjustment member and this bearing member.

However, for the adjustment many other alternative embodiments may be contemplated. Thus, it may be useful according to this invention that the adjustment member comprising the rough adjustment means incorporates a base member adapted to be anchored or engaged into a perforated plate rigid with the ski, together with a worm mechanism for the fine adjustment of the position of the ski binding element in relation to the base plate mounted on said perforated plate for use after performing said rapid advance or feed, the axis of the worm mechanism being mounted in the bearing contemplated on the ski binding element.

According to another modified embodiment of this invention it is further contemplated that the adjustment member consists, for fine adjustment purposes, of a worm rigidly secured to a shaft rotatably mounted in the bearing provided to this end in the ski binding element, and the adjustment section member rigid with the ski consists of a toothed rack meshing with said worm, this arrangement being particularly advantageous if the spacer spring interposed between the worm or the worm mechanism on the one hand and the fixed bearing of the rotary shaft on the other hand urges said worm or worm mechanism on one side and the ski binding element in the bearing portion on the other side, at least with one end, at a point located above a horizontal plane parallel to the ski and containing the axis of said rotary shaft.

Other advantages, details and features characterising this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which typical embodiment of the invention are shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic axial section of a longitudinal adjustment device according to this invention",

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section showing another embodiment of the device of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section showing a still further possible embodiment of the device of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section showing the device of FIG. 3 with the adjustment member disconnected from the rack to permit a rapid advance of the ski binding element;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the device of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section showing another possible embodiment of the fine adjustment means according to this invention.

The longitudinal adjustment device according to this invention, notably and principally for ski bindings, comprises essentially an adjustment section member 1 secured to the ski in the longitudinal direction thereof and a binding element 2 movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the adjustment section member 1 but constantly held down on the ski. An adjustment member 3 adapted to be operatively connected and disconnected in relation to the adjustment section member 1 is disposed within the binding element 2 and adapted to be stopped or locked at least in several defined positions.

In the embodiment illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 the adjustment section member 1 consists of a rack secured for example by means of screws to the top face of the. ski. This rack I may be formed integrally, or associated with, a plate constituting the base plate of the binding element so that the latter can move longitudinally as shown in FIG. 5 without allowing this binding element to be lifted in relation to the ski.

The adjustment member 3 is mounted in the binding element 2 by means of a shaft 4 to which a worm 5 is rigidly secured. This shaft 4 is disposed within a bearing 6 formed in the binding element 2 so that it can rotate freely. In this respect, it may be noted that in the present specification the term bearing is used in its broadest meaning. In the bearing 6 the corresponding end 7 of shaft 4 is so mounted that it can move or swivel freely in all directions therein. At its opposite end 8 projecting from the ski binding element 2 to permit the actuation of said shaft 4, the latter is mounted in a manner permitting the movement and locking thereof with respect to the binding element 2 in at least two spaced positions. As shown in FIG. 1, a notch 9 visible more particularly in FIG. 2 is provided to permit this movable mounting so that the shaft 4 can pivot or tilt about its fixed bearing 6 in a plane at right angles to the ski, which comprises the axis of the adjustment section member 1.

At its control end 8 the shaft 4 comprises a pivot member 10 co-acting with the fork of a link 11 pivotally mounted to the binding element 2 about a pin 12 so that said link, can move in the plane of the drawing (FIG. 1). Preferably, two such links 11 are provided which are adapted, through the medium of their forks disposed on either side of shaft 4, to co-act with the pivot member 10 so disposed on said shaft 4 that it can rotate freely thereon while being held against axial movement. Since the forks and/or the pivot member engage at the end of their stroke a first or lower stop provided on the ski binding element 2, a first lower position of shaft 4 is thus determined, in which the worm 5 is in meshing engagement with the rack 1.

By pivoting said shaft 4 upwards in the bearing 6 the link 11 will assume another or upper position remote from the adjustment rack 1, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1. In this position the link and/or pivot member resume again their engagement with a stop carried by the binding element 2, the worm 2 being then disconnected from the rack 1.

These two positions of link 11 are made stable by a spacer spring 13 consisting preferably of a coil compression spring interposed between the worm 5 and the fixed bearing 6, and surrounding the shaft 4, thus providing a knee-action mechanism.

The operation of the above-described longitudinal adjustment device according to this invention will now be described with particular reference to its application to a heel hold-down device of a ski binding. However this invention should not be construed as being limited to this specific application.

From the initial position assumed to be that shown in FIG. 1, in which the worm 5 is in meshing engagement with the rack l, the ski binding is to be subsequently adapted to a ski-boot of different size. To this end, the control end 8 of shaft 4 is actuated by rotating same against the force of spring 13 from the lower stable position (FIG. 1) to the upper stable position in which said worm 5 is disconnected from the rack 1 (FIG. 1, phantom lives). Then, the heel hold-down device 2 can be moved rapidly towards the boot heel, and when the contact is obtained between this device and the boot heel the shaft 4 is pivoted downwards to restore the meshing engagement between the worm 5 and rack 1. Finally, by rotating the control end 8 of shaft 4 the fine adjustment of the heel hold-down device can be performed in relation to the boot heel.

The spring 13 may also act as a means for imparting a certain longitudinal flexibility to the ski binding; this may be quite advantageous in case of abnormal flexing of the ski, notably when so-called step-in heel hold down devices are used. During this flexing the boot tends to move the heel hold-down device 2 to the right as seen in FIG. 1. As the worm 5 is in meshing engagement with the rack -1, the heel hold-down device can move to the right only against the force of spring 13 and through a limited extent only. During this elastic longitudinal movement the open coupling between the forks of links 11 and the pivot member 10 on shaft 4 permits this relative movement. Under these conditions, the construction must be such that the forks and the pivot member cannot become disconnected completely under anycircumstance. After this ski flexing the spring 13 pushes the heel hold-down device 2 for wards, i.e.,'to the left as seen in FIG. 1, so that a precise adjustment with respect to the ski boot is constantly maintained, the available spring stroke is constant -and independent of the adjustment position of the heel hold-down device 2 in relation to the adjustment section member 1 rigid with the ski.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the device of this invention. In this figure the members identical with or corresponding to those of the preceding embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals plus the index letter a. In this alternate embodiment the corresponding adjustment member 3a consisting likewise ofa worm 5a is locked not by a link or kneeaction mechanism but by a male member 14 rigid with shaft 4 and co-acting with at least two female members spaced from each other on the heel hold-down element 211.

When it is desired to modify the position of the longitudinal adjustment device according to this invention for changing from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the rapid-advance position, the control end 8a of shaft 4a is gripped and depressed against the resistance of spring 13a so as to disengage the male member 14 from the lower female member 15, whereafter the shaft 4a is moved upwards until said male member 14 engages the other or upper female member 15. Then, after a rapid longitudinal movement of the ski binding element 2a the shaft 4a is restored to its initial lower position and rotated to obtain the desired fine adjustment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 a relative movement between the heel hold down or like binding element 2a and the adjustment section la may also take place. In this case the male member 14 will be disconnected completely from the corresponding female member 15. In fact, the pressure between the thread surfaces of worm 5a and rack la prevents an untimely disconnection between said worm and rack. However, in order to ensure a still better safety against any untimely release of the worm 5a, said spring 13a, at least at its end adjacent the bearing 6a, may bear against this bearing at a point located above the shaft 4a. This bearing action may be obtained very simply by off-setting, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower half of bearing 6a to the left in relation to its upper half. Due to this bearing force of spring 13a a torque is constantly exerted on the worm 5a whereby the latter is urged for meshing engagement with the rack la.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another modified embodiment of the invention wherein the component elements identical with or'similar to those of the preceding embodiments are designated by the same reference numeral plus the index letter b. In this embodiment the male retaining member 14b of shaft 4b consists of the respective end portion of worm 5b. This end is shaped and adapted to engage either of a pair of curved notches l6 and 17 formed in the registering portion of the binding element 2b. The first notch 16 sets the position of worm 5b, in which the latter is in proper meshing engagement with rack lb, the other notch 17 setting the position of worm 5b, in which the latter is fully disconnected from the rack lb to permit the rapid advance of the binding element 2b. The first notch 16 is characterised in that its shape and/or position are selected according to this invention with a view to hold the worm 5b in proper meshing engagement with the rack Ib under a certain elastic load. The other notch 17 is so designed that the worm 5b be held through its male portion 14b in its upper position by self-locking action during the rapid advance of said binding element 2b. In this specific embodiment the disposal and mode of operation of spring 13b are the same as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. To facilitate the fine adjustment, the shaft 4b comprises at its outer end a gripping knob 8b. It is readily apparent from FIG. 4 that, for the position illustrated of adjustment member 3b in relation to the adjustment section lb the binding member 2b can be advanced rapidly in the direction of the double arrow F.

FIG. 5 illustrates another advantageous detail of this invention. Whereas the notch 9b provided for tilting the shaft 4b must be wide enough to permit the free movement of this shaft, it may be particularly advantageous to provide this notch 9b with an open lower end to facilitate considerably the: mounting of adjustment member 3b in the binding element 2; furthermore, in this case this adjustment member 3b can easily be replaced in case of wear or damage.

FIG. 6 illustrates diagrammatically another form of embodiment of the adjustment member of the device of this invention. In order to permit a fine adjustment, of still greater precision, after the rapid advance movement, if necessary, the corresponding adjustment member 3c is made in this case of three elements comprising a base member 18 shaped to permit the coupling thereof with the adjustment section lc or the disengagement thereof from this section 1c to effect the rapid advance. The adjustment section 1c rigid with the ski (not shown) consists in this case and preferably of a perforated plate comprising a series of spaced holes 19 disposed along the ski center line, the base member 18 being adapted to be coupled with this plate by engaging one or more studs 20 projecting from its bottom surface into the aforesaid holes 19. Projecting from the upper face of base member 18 is a bearing 21 in which the shaft 4c is rotatably mounted and held against axial movement by a shoulder 22. This shaft 40 is mounted in or on the ski binding element 2c in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

On either side of shoulder 22 the shaft 40 comprises threaded portions 23 engaging tapped holes 24 formed in a sliding member 25. This member 25 disposed straddlewise on said bearing 21 of base member 18 and is adapted to be moved micrometrically in'relation to said base member either to the left or to the right, as seen in FIG. 6, by rotating the shaft 4c in the proper direction. Said sliding member 25 comprises at one end a projection 14c adapted to engage a female member 15c formed on the ski binding element 20 in the manner described hereinabove. At its opposite end the sliding member 25 has a bearing face engageable by a coil compression spring 13c of which the arrangement and mode of operation are also known from the description of the preceding forms of embodiment. In the construction shown in FIG. 6 for the fine adjustment to be performed on the member 3c, it is advantageous to so select the micrometric adjustment stroke of sliding member 25 on either side of shoulder 21 of shaft 4: in relation to the base member 18 that, on either side of a symmetrical position of said sliding member in relation to said base member, the total fine-adjustment stroke be slightly greater than the distance measured between two adjacent aligned holes 19 of the perforated plate 1c. Thus, the range of adjustment applicable to the binding element along the adjustment section is covered completely by combining the rapid advance and fine adjustment operations.

Of course, the invention should not be construed as being strictly limited by the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein, since many constructional modifications may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the basic principle of this invention. Thus, a device wherein the adjustment member is rigid with the ski and the adjustment section is disposed on the binding element may be provided while achieving the same result.

'What I claim is:

1. A ski binding comprising an adjustment section member means adapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski; a fastening element means for releasably retaining one end of a ski boot on the ski, said fastening element means being adapted to be mounted on the adjustment section member means, said fastening element means being relatively moveable along a selected direction with respect to said adjustment section member means; said fastening element means further comprising a bearing and an adjustment member means, said adjustment member means being carried by said fastening element means and mounted for free movement in said bearing; complementary fine adjustment means on said adjustment member means and on said adjustment section member means for permitting fine adjustment, in

said selected direction, of the position of said fastening element means with respect to the adjustment section member means, said complementary fine adjustment means being disconnectable from each other to permit relative coarse adjustment of the relative positions of said fastening element means and said adjustment section member means, said adjustment member means being moveable between a first position in which said complementary fine adjustment means are operatively interconnected for permitting relative fine adjustment of the said fastening element means and said adjustment section member means, and a second position in which said complementary means are disconnected from each other and inoperative; and locking means releasably and firmly retaining the said adjustment member means in the first position and the second position.

2. The ski binding according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of vertically spaced notches on said fastening element means adjacent the end of the adjustment member means spaced from said bearing, the lower notch being engaged by the adjacent end of the adjustment member means when said adjustment member means is in said first position, said locking means further comprising means for resiliently urging said adjustment member means toward said notches.

" 3. The ski binding according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment member means is pivotably, rotatably and slidably mounted in said bearing.

4. The ski binding according to claim 2 in which said adjustment member means is a shaft, a toothed worm fixedly mounted on said shaft, said adjustment section member means having teeth thereon for mating with the teeth on said worm when said adjustment member means is in said second position, said toothed worm and the teeth on said adjustment section member means comprising said complementary fine adjustment means.

5. The ski binding according to claim 4 wherein said resilient means is a spacer spring one end of which abuts said bearing and the other end of which abuts said worm.

6. The ski binding according to claim 5 wherein the lower notch is shaped to direct and maintain said adjustment member means in said first position upon urging of said resilient means to firmly cause said complementary fine adjustment means to engage.

7. The ski binding according to claim 1 wherein said fastening element means further comprises means for moving the said adjustment member means between said first and second positions.

8. A ski binding comprising a fastening element means and an adjustment section member means, said adjustment section member means adapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski; said fastening element means for releasably retaining one end of a ski boot on the ski, said fastening element means being moveable with respect to said adjustment section member means, said fastening element means having a bearing therein and an adjustment member means articulated in said bearing, complementary cooperating fine adjustment means on said adjustment member means and said adjustment section member means, and means on said fastening element means releasably locking said adjustment member means in a first position in which said complementary fine adjustment means are engaged to permit fine adjustment of the position of the fastening element means on said adjustment section member means, and in a second position in which the complementary fine adjustment means are disengaged to permit free sliding movement of the fastening element means on said adjustment section member means.

Claims

1. A ski binding comprising an adjustment section member means adapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski; a fastening element means for releasably retaining one end of a ski boot on the ski, said fastening element means being adapted to be mounted on the adjustment section member means, said fastening element means being relatively moveable along a selected direction with respect to said adjustment section member means; said fastening element means further comprising a bearing and an adjustment member means, said adjustment member means being carried by said fastening element means and mounted for free movement in said bearing; complementary fine adjustmenT means on said adjustment member means and on said adjustment section member means for permitting fine adjustment, in said selected direction, of the position of said fastening element means with respect to the adjustment section member means, said complementary fine adjustment means being disconnectable from each other to permit relative coarse adjustment of the relative positions of said fastening element means and said adjustment section member means, said adjustment member means being moveable between a first position in which said complementary fine adjustment means are operatively interconnected for permitting relative fine adjustment of the said fastening element means and said adjustment section member means, and a second position in which said complementary means are disconnected from each other and inoperative; and locking means releasably and firmly retaining the said adjustment member means in the first position and the second position.

3. The ski binding according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment member means is pivotably, rotatably and slidably mounted in said bearing.