WO2011025376A9

WO2011025376A9 - Binding of the clap ski -type for a ski or skate

Info

Publication number: WO2011025376A9
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050538
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pieter Meint Van Der Klok; Jaap Kingma; François BAVEREL
Original assignee: Gimo Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2010-08-27
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: WO2011025376A3; WO2011025376A2; NL2003408C2

Abstract

A binding of the clap ski type for a ski or skate (1), comprising a base plate (10) attached during use on a ski or skate, a hinge part (2) attached during use on the base plate, a support (8) attached at a distance therebehind on the base plate and a frame (4), attached in operation to the hinge part (2) by means of a hinge pin (3) and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, which frame is provided with front (5) and rear (6) fastening means for a shoe (7) of an athlete, wherein return means are provided which can return the pivotable frame (4) from an open position into the closed position, which return means comprise at least one or more first permanent magnets (62) which are provided on the part of the pivotable frame (4) located before the hinge pin (3) and which cooperate with one or more second permanent magnets (65), which are provided on the hinge part (2) opposite the first permanent magnets (62), while the first (62) and second (65) permanent magnets repel each other.

Description

Title: Binding of the clap ski-type for a ski or skate

The invention relates to a binding of the clap ski type for a ski or skate, comprising a base plate attached during use on a ski or skate, a hinge part attached during use on the base plate, a support attached at a distance therebehind on the base plate, and a frame, attached in operation to the hinge part by means of a hinge pin, and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, which frame is provided with front and rear fastening means for a shoe of an athlete, wherein return means are provided which can return the pivotable frame from an open position into the closed position.

Bindings of the clap ski type are known from practice in various variants. Originally, such bindings were designed for speed skate competitions on ice. This has led to the known clap skate where the shoe is connected at the front via a hinge to the blade of the skate, so that the blade can remain in contact with the ice longer.

This technique can be applied with roller skates as used in inline skating. In this description and the accompanying claims, the term "skate" is accordingly understood to include both a skate for use on ice and a skate with wheels.

This technique has further been recently applied with so-called cross-country skis, also called langlauf skis. It is noted that traditionally, with cross-country skis, the boot was already attached to the ski at the toe only and hence capable of pivoting up and down. Traditionally, however, no hinging frame was used. Recently, though, a construction with a hinging frame has been used in a XC-binding ("XC" meaning cross country) marketed by the firm of CadoMotus.

An example of a known clap skate is described in US 2004/090022.

This known clap skate can be designed for use on ice or as roller skate. The known clap skate has a frame for fastening a shoe, which frame is hingedly attached by a front part located near the toe of the shoe, to a hinge part which is attached directly to the skate and which provides a two-step hinge action.

Further, return means are provided which consist of a spring formed like a clothes peg spring.

Further, from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 20108681U1, a cross country ski is known which also comprises a hinge part directly attached to the ski, to which the front part of a frame designed for fastening a boot is hingedly attached. Before the hinge part, a resilient, cambered rubber element is placed which can cooperate with the underside of the toe of the boot to push this back, from a forward pivoted position, together with the frame.

Further, for a participant of the Olympic Winter Games of 2006 in

Turin, applicant has developed a clap ski binding of the above-mentioned type.

This known clap ski binding indeed resulted in an improvement of the personal best achievements of the participant. Still, on a number of points, improvement of the binding proved possible.

A drawback of this known "Turin" -binding, and of other clap ski bindings too, is that the user cannot rapidly change skis without taking off the boot.

The fact is that in practice for instance competitive skiers prefer to be able to determine shortly before the start of a competition which skis to use. The choice of skis depends on the current conditions on the run. The conditions on the run can change over the day, so that with a race of several stages, it may be desirable to change the type of ski between times. Therefore, many skiers have several pairs of skis at their disposal which each have their own specific properties.

Therefore, the need exists to have the possibility to readily and rapidly change skis without it being necessary to take off the ski boots.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to make an improved clap ski binding available. To this end, a binding of the above-described type is characterized in that the return means comprise at least one or more first permanent magnets which are provided on the part of the pivotable frame located before the hinge pin, and which cooperate with one or more second permanent magnets, which are provided on the hinge part opposite the first permanent magnets, while the first and second permanent magnets repel each other.

The use of magnetic return means renders superfluous the use of springs between a part of the binding fixedly connected to the ski and the part hingedly connected to the ski and bearing the boot, so that such springs cannot form a hindrance for a rapid change of skis.

It is noted that in WO 2009/011586, a clap skate is described wherein a hinging frame part is used, to which a shoe can be fastened. The hinging part is connected, via return means in the form of draw springs, to the lower part of the skate. Further, in general, there is the possibility to use other return means such as compression springs, leaf springs, torsion springs and also, magnet means. It is not indicated how such magnet means could be used. With this known clap skate it is not possible to rapidly change skates without taking off the shoe.

Further, in EP 20 36 592, a skate is described of which the blade or a lower frame provided with wheels is divided by means of a cross-cut into a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a hinge part to which is connected the toe of a shoe. The rear portion is fixedly connected to the heel of the shoe. When the shoe pivots forward, the rear frame portion moves upwards. On the front portion, before the hinge part, a first magnet is attached, while on the toe of the shoe a second magnet is attached. The first and second magnets repel each other and thus provide a return force acting on the shoe. Further, at the rear end of the front portion and the front end of the rear portion, attracting magnets may be provided, which pull the front and rear portions of the frame towards each other.

This known construction with front and rear frame portions is not usable with a ski. Also, changing a skate rapidly and easily without taking the boot off is not possible because the boot is fixedly connected to the rear frame portion. Although the use of magnetic return means is known per se from EP 20 36 592, still, the known magnetic return means are not located adjacent the hinge pin on a frame bearing the boot.

In the following, the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing of an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1 schematically shows in side view a ski provided with a clap ski binding;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a view with exploded parts of an example of a ski binding according to the invention;

Fig. 3 schematically shows in perspective side view the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 schematically shows in side view a detail of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 schematically shows in side view an example of a damping element for a clap ski binding according to the invention;

Fig. 6 schematically shows in side view an example of magnetic return means for a clap ski binding according to the invention;

Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of magnetic return means for a clap ski binding according to the invention;

Fig. 8 schematically shows an example of a Halbach array usable in a binding according to the invention;

Fig. 9 schematically shows an example of quick coupling means for use in a binding according to the invention;

Fig. 10 schematically shows an example of a walking frame; and

Fig. 11 schematically shows an example of fastening means for a ski boot.

Fig. 1 schematically shows in side view a ski 1 provided with a binding of the clap ski type. As already noted, such a binding can also be used with another type of carrier than a ski, such as, for instance, a skate blade or a wheel assembly of an inline skate. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, each time, the starting point will be the use with a ski for cross country sports.

On the ski is attached a hinge part 2 which is hingedly connected, by means of a hinge pin 3, to a pivotable frame 4. The hinge pin is parallel to the width direction of the ski and the frame can pivot upward relative to the ski. Via front and rear fastening means 5, 6, a boot 7 is fastened to the frame 4. The toe of the boot is near the hinge pin 3. In the situation shown, the rear end of the frame 4 remote from the hinge pin 3 rests on a support 8 but is not fixedly connected therewith (however, see in this connection the action of the spring 75 shown in Fig. 2 described further in the following). Therefore, the frame can pivot upward about the hinge pin 3 from the closed position shown into an open position, as is indicated with an arrow 9.

The hinge part 2 and the support 8 are attached to the ski preferably with interposition of a base plate 10. The base plate enables the support 8 and the hinge part 2 to slide independently of each other over a limited distance in the longitudinal direction of the ski and to lock in a desired position.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an exploded view of an example of a binding according to the invention and Fig. 3 shows the same binding in composite form in perspective view. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, corresponding parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. The ski and the shoe of Fig. 1 are not shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The various parts of the ski binding shown can be manufactured from plastic or metal, depending on their function. In view of, on the one hand, the desired strength and, on the other hand, a smallest possible weight, the metal parts are preferably milled from aluminium. When constructing a binding according to the invention, first, the base plate 10 is attached onto the desired carrier, in this case a ski, with the aid of suitable screws indicated in Fig. 2. The base plate is provided with at least partly undercut longitudinal edges 12, which operatively cooperate with

correspondingly profiled fastening parts 13 and 14 of the hinge part 2 and the support 8. The profiles of the fastening parts 13, 14 engage around the undercut longitudinal edges 12 of the base plate, so that the fastening parts and hence the hinge part 2 and the support 8 can be slid over the base plate 10.

In this example, the base plate 10 is further provided with three series of slotted holes 15a, 15b and 16 extending transversely to the

longitudinal direction of the base plate 10. In this example, the slotted holes 15a and 15b cooperate with the ends of a resilient locking strip 17 to be further described. In this example, the series of slotted holes 16 cooperates with one end of one resilient locking strip 18, which is connected or coupled to the fastening part 14 of the support 8 or forms part thereof. The slotted holes 15a and 15b enable a slight change of position of the athlete on the ski. As the forces applied in longitudinal direction by the user on the ski are mainly transmitted by the hinge part, two series of slotted holes 15a and 15b together with a strip 17 locking both in forward and in rearward direction are used. In principle, the support 8 does not have to absorb forces in the longitudinal direction. However, as the support 8, in the situation in which the frame is in closed position, is surrounded by a cage 19 attached to the frame and to be described further, the fastening part 14 with the support 8 attached thereon should be adjustable also in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

Furthermore, the position of the cage 19 relative to the hinge part should be adjustable to the size of the boot to be fastened on the frame 4, which makes an additional setting trajectory for the support 8 desirable. Therefore, in the example shown, a number of slotted holes 16 is used that is greater than the number of slotted holes of the series 15a and 15b, and the fastening part 14 with the support 8 can be adjusted over a greater range than the hinge part 2.

An example of a locking strip 17 for the hinge part 2 is schematically shown in side view in Fig. 4. The locking strip shown has, in side view, a somewhat curved form and is provided in the middle part with a round, rod- shaped transverse element 20, which has free ends extending on both sides of the locking strip beyond the locking strip. The parts of the locking strip extending on both sides of the transverse element form resilient lips 21, 22 of which the ends are each provided with a downward edge 23, 24. The downward edges each have, on the outside, a flat vertical surface 25 which operatively abuts against a corresponding flat vertical surface of one of the slots 15a or 15b. The inward directed surface 26 of the edges is bevelled.

The locking strip is further provided with operating lips 28, 29 provided on both sides of the transverse element. When the operating lip 29 is pulled upwards, the edge 24 operatively extending into a slot 15 is released and the locking strip 17 can be slid to the right. Then, as a result of the slanting surface 26, the edge 23 rises up so that the edge 23 does not block the sliding movement. In a similar manner, the locking strip 17 can be slid to the left by pulling the operating lip 28 upwards.

The ends of the rod-shaped transverse element 20 he confined in openings of two upstanding ears 30, located on both sides of the locking strip and forming part of the rearward extending arms 31 of the fastening part 13 of the hinge part 12.

It is noted that the hinge part 2 and the fastening part 13 can be separate parts, which are connected to each other by suitable means, such as the bolts 32 shown in Fig. 2, but that the hinge part and the fastening part can also form one whole, which may be manufactured from one block of aluminium or another suitable material.

The hinge part 2 has two upstanding flanges or ears 36 one on each side with openings 36 therein for the hinge pin 3. The frame 4 fits with the front end 40 between the flanges 35 of the hinge part 2 and is provided with a bore 41 for receiving the hinge pin 3.

In this example, the openings 36 are both provided with slots 37 extending to the edge of the flanges, which form a passage for flattened parts 38 on the hinge pin 3 when this is in the correct position before the slots. The hinge pin is further provided on one end with a head 39 and, on the other end, with an operating handle 42. The operating handle 42 is preferably provided with a detent ball, which drops in a customary manner into a recess 54 in the hinge part for maintaining a position of rest. In the position of rest, a part of the operating handle still abuts against a projecting edge 44 of the edge part, so that the handle can only be turned in one direction from the position of rest. When, in this example, the handle is turned a quarter turn forward from the position drawn, the flattened parts 38 of the hinge pin 3 come to lie in line with the slots and the hinge pin can be taken from the openings 36.

As, in operation, the hinge pin 3 extends through the bore 41 of the frame 4, the frame can be rapidly detached in this manner and, if desired, be replaced with another, for instance longer or shorter, frame. Conversely, the ski can also be replaced with another type of ski, which is, for instance, adapted to the type of race and/or to the prevailing conditions, or with a walking frame to be further described, with which the skier can easily walk in places where there is no snow, or from the changing room to a place where the skis are located or the like.

Further, the possibility of rapidly detaching the frame simplifies cleaning of the binding.

The locking strip 18 located at the rear side of the fastening part 14 of the support 8 comprises one resilient, curved lip, which, in a manner similar to the lips 21, 22 of the locking strip 17, is provided at the end with a downward edge with a rearward directed flat vertical surface and a bevelled surface turned inward. Further, in a similar manner as with the locking strip 17, an operating lip 46 is present for lifting the downward directed edge from a slot 16 when the support is to be shifted.

It is noted that the above-described locking means with one or more resilient lips which can be used in slots of a base plate or in slots in the upper surface of a part of a ski or skate can also, if desired, be used by themselves with, for instance, a binding without magnetic return means.

Preferably, the support 8 is manufactured from plastic and consists of a substantially rectangular block with bevelled vertical ribs. Preferably, the block tapers slightly upwards. In mounted condition, the block is mounted on the fastening part 14 with the aid of two bolts 47.

The frame 4 is formed such that the rear end 50 is higher than the front end 40.

The fastening means 5 and 6 for the toe and the heel of a boot, respectively, are, in mounted condition, fixed with bolts 51, 52 in

openings 53, 54 of the frame 4. The openings 53, 54 are slotted holes, which enable the fastening means to move in the longitudinal direction of the frame 4. The boot of the user is preferably fastened to the frame such that the pivot 3 lies under the ball of the foot. As a result, if the user pushes off with the ski, he can transmit a much more efficient and stable pushing force than in the case of a traditional binding for cross-country skis, where the joint of the boot and the ski lies before the toes of the user.

The frame 4 is further provided, at the rear at the underside, with the already mentioned cage 19, which, in a condition of rest (see Fig. 3) drops around the support. In this example, the cage in mounted condition is fastened to the frame by two bolts 55, 56. The frame and the cage can be manufactured from any suitable material but are preferably made of high-grade aluminium. For obtaining a binding as light as possible, in the various parts, at various locations openings and/or recesses are provided.

In addition to vertical support to the frame, the support 8, in cooperation with the cage 19, also provides support sideways. As a result, in the folded down position of the frame shown in Fig. 3, which occurs when the ski glides over the snow, a highly stable connection is obtained between the user's foot and the ski.

During skiing (or skating), gliding strides are made, while the athlete leans on one leg, while the other leg is lifted and moved forward. Then, the clap-ski binding of the ski to the foot of the lifted leg snaps open, because the ski pivots downwards. Here, the base plate with the parts fixedly connected thereon pivots about the hinge pin 3 and the cage 19 is released from the support 8. Upon descent, the binding snaps shut forcefully, resulting in a shock which is experienced as unpleasant and which is accompanied by an annoying sound.

Therefore, according to the invention, it is preferred to use shock absorbing and sound absorbing means between the cage and/or the rear end of the frame and the support and/or the fastening part of the support.

An example of simple but effective shock and sound absorbing means is schematically shown in Fig. 5. The support 8 is provided along the lower edge with a continuous groove 60, in which a tightly fitting O-ring 61 rests. When the binding snaps shut, the lower edge of the cage 19 is caught by the O-ring.

Further, return means are provided, which, after the binding of the ski snaps open, pull the ski back towards the frame. As a result, the skier obtains a better control over the ski on the lifted foot. To this end, use could be made of helical springs or the like, though a drawback here is that such springs are difficult to clean. The springs may also snap loose or break, so that the binding no longer functions properly and the run is contaminated.

An important drawback of the use of springs for bringing the ski and the frame towards each other again after the binding has snapped open, is that such spring are connected both to the hinging part of the binding and to the fixed part of the binding. As a result, even when the quickly detachable hinge pin 3 is used, rapid exchange of skis is hindered to a large extent.

According to the invention, use is made of an assembly of compact yet forceful permanent magnets for providing the desired returning force.

To this end, according to the invention, in the front part 40, or the head of the frame, at least before and preferably also behind the hinge pin, a number of magnets, for instance three, are provided which cooperate with magnets provided in the hinge part 2. Here, the magnets are arranged such that the magnets located before the hinge pin in the head 40 and in the hinge part 2 repel each other, while conversely, the magnets placed behind the hinge pin in the head and in the hinge portion attract each other.

Further, in the rear part 50 of the frame and in the support 8 mutually attracting magnets can be used.

Fig. 6 schematically shows an example of a possible configuration of magnets in the hinge part 2 and the head 40 of the frame 4. In suitable openings in the head 40 magnets 62 are provided of which one is visible in Fig. 6.

Fig. 3 shows three such openings 63 in the form of blind bores in the front surface 64, i.e. in the part of the head 40 lying, in mounted condition, before the hinge pin 3. In this example, therefore, three magnets 62 can be used. If the frame 4, when the skier raises the foot, pivots about the hinge pin 3, the front surface 64 pivots downwards and the magnets 62 come to he opposite counter magnets 65 placed in the hinge part. The magnets 62 and 65 are arranged such that similar poles face each other. Therefore, the

magnets 64 and 65 repel each other, so that on the hinge part 2 and hence the ski attached thereto, a rotational force is exerted so that the ski is pressed upwards by the rear end in the direction of the position of rest. The action of the repelling force between the magnets 62 and 65 can be further enhanced through the use of similar but attracting magnets which are placed in opposite surfaces of the head 40 and the hinge part 2 behind the hinge pin 3. In Fig. 6, with reference numeral 67, one or more magnets, for instance three, are shown, which are placed in openings in an undersurface 68 of the head.

Opposite the magnets 67, in the hinge part 2, corresponding magnets 69 are provided. The magnets 67 and 69 attract each other.

In a similar manner, magnets attracting each other can be used in the support 8 and the rear part 50 of the frame 4 and/or the cage 19.

For the sake of completeness, Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of such a configuration, wherein the support 8 is provided with three magnets 70 and, in this example, the cage 19 is also provided with three magnets 71, while the magnets 70 and 71 attract each other. With advantage, the magnets 65 and 69 can for instance be included together in the hinge part in a so-called Halbach array. With a Halbach array, a number of magnets are placed each time with alternating orientation one next to the other in a manner such that the resulting magnetic field concentrates on one side of the configuration.

Two examples of a Halbach array suitable for use in the hinge part 2 are schematically shown in Fig. 8. In this example, the shown Halbach arrays Hi, ¾, respectively, comprise five magnets M1-M5, placed one next to the other, which can replace the magnets 65 and 69 of Fig. 6. The arrows in the magnets indicate the direction of the magnetic field in the magnets. Outside the magnets, the magnetic field is concentrated substantially above the magnet array Hi, ¾, respectively.

Above the magnet configuration Hi are indicated the hinge pin 3 and the magnets 62 and 67 of the head 40 of the frame. The magnet 62 is repelled by the field of the Halbach array and in particular by the flux- lines passing through the magnet M2. By contrast, the magnet 67 is attracted by the

Halbach array and especially as a result of the flux-lines passing through the magnet M4.

For the sake of clarity, the Halbach array ¾ is drawn in perspective view. In the array ¾, the magnets 62 and 67 cooperate with the outer elements Ml and M5 of the Halbach array. The magnets 62 in the head 40 can comprise a number of singular magnets placed one next to the other in the y-direction indicated in Fig. 8. The same holds for the magnets 67.

If desired, the magnets 62 themselves could also be designed as

Halbach array, extending transversely to the x-direction of the configuration H, i.e. in the y-direction indicated in Fig. 8 above the magnet Ml. In a similar manner, the magnets 67 could be placed in a Halbach array above the magnet M5. Preferably, the hinge pin is located approximately above the point of gravity of the ski, so that as little force as possible is required for pivoting the ski. If desired, also in the support 8 and in the cage 19, a Halbach array can be used.

Owing to the described action of the magnets at the front and rear end of the frame 4, the ski, which is attached to the foot of a leg raised by the athlete, and which, in first instance, remains in the position which corresponds with the position in which the ski rests on the snow, while the foot already moves upwards and the binding snaps opens, is pulled back to its original position relative to the foot of the skier. Here, the rear side of the ski moves upwards, while the point of the ski is directed downwards. In order to prevent the ski from penetrating into the snow by the point when the foot descends, it is preferred that means are used to ensure that the binding does not completely snap shut as long as the ski still hovers above the snow. In the present example, to that end, the frame 4 is provided with spring means acting between the frame 4 and the base plate 10, which prevent the binding from closing completely. In the example shown, the spring means comprise a leaf spring 75 (Fig. 2, Pig. 3) which is attached by bolts 76 or the like to the underside of the frame. The free end of the leaf spring is directed rearwards and downwards and cooperates with the top surface of the base plate 10.

Alternatively, for instance a leaf spring attached to the base plate can be used, which pushes against the frame by the free end.

In the above, it has already been described that the frame 4 can be rapidly and simply uncoupled from the rest of the clap ski binding by pivoting the handle 42 a quarter turn, whereupon the head 40 of the frame with the hinge pin can be taken from the position between the ears 35 or in the openings 36, respectively. This can be done while the skier still wears the ski boot attached to the frame 4. If desired, the frame 4 can then be attached to a walking frame. An example of such a walking frame is schematically shown in Fig. 10. An alternative embodiment of the rapidly detachable hinge pin is schematically shown in Fig. 9. The exemplary embodiment shown corresponds to a large extent with the quick spanner system often used for bicycle wheels, wherein a wheel axis is provided with a hinging lever with a cam lying against a ring placed about the axis. The ring is located at the outside of the fork and by pivoting the lever, it is clamped against the fork.

Fig. 9 shows a hinge pin 3, which has a dish-shaped end 80, which links up with a cylindrical part 81 with a smaller diameter than the dish- shaped end 80. In mounted condition, the -dish-shaped end abuts against the outer surface of a first ear 35 of the hinge part 2, and the cylindrical part extends through an opening provided with a takeout slot in the ear 35, in the direction of the opposite, second ear 35. The end of the cylindrical part 81 remote from the dish-shaped end is at some distance from the second ear 35 and is provided with a stud 82 extending through an opening of the second ear 35 also provided with a takeout slot. At the outside of the second ear 35, around the stud, a dish-shaped element 83 is located that can slide over the stud. On the free end of the stud, a cylindrical bush 84 provided with a cross bore is provided which, in itself, is provided with a quick span handle 85 with a cam surface 86 which cooperates with the quick span handle 83. When the quick span handle is turned from the position shown in Fig. 9 (therefore, downwards) the cam surface 86 pushes the dish 83 to the left, while

simultaneously, the dish-shaped end 80 is pulled to the right so that the hinge pin is secured. Therefore, in a simple and rapid manner, the hinge pin 3 can be secured or released with the aid of the quick span handle 85.

It is noted that a rapidly detachable hinge pin, of which two examples have been described in the above, may offer great advantages in combination with magnetic return means but that such a hinge pin

construction can also be advantageously used separately.

Fig. 10 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a walking frame 90 which the skier can use for walking in places where it is undesirable, difficult or impossible to walk wearing skis, without having to take the ski boots off. The walking frame shown is designed at the front side 91 in a manner similar to the hinge part 2 of the clap ski binding, so that the head 40 of the frame 4 can be fastened to the front 91 in the same manner as to the hinge part of the binding. At the rear side 92, the walking frame 90 is provided with a recess or cavity 93 which can receive the cage 19 of the frame 4. In the recess, a somewhat wedge-shaped block 94 is placed which has a shape similar to the support 8 of the binding, and which can be received in the cage 19. The recess 93 further has, at the rear side, an undercut or recess 95, which can accommodate a cam or nose 96 formed at the rear side of the cage 19.

The frame 4 can be attached on the walking frame by first, with the frame 4 in a slanting position shown, placing the cage 19 of the frame by the cam 96 into the undercut 95 as is indicated with an arrow 97 in Fig. 10. Then, the frame 4 is pivoted with the front side downwards, as indicated with an arrow 98. Here, the cage first drops over the block 94 and then the hinge pin 3 of the frame 4 drops into openings 99 in ears 100 of the front part 91 of the walking frame. Then, the hinge pin is locked with the aid of the handle 42 or a quick span handle as shown in Fig. 6 or a similar fastening system depending on the design of the frame 4.

Here, the spring 75 of the frame 4 is received under tension in a cavity 101 of the walking frame. If the frame 4 is to be placed on the ski binding again, the hinge pin is turned to the releasing position, whereupon the spring 75 pushes the frame upwards, so that it can be easily detached.

It is noted that after the foregoing, various constructional variants of the clap ski binding and/or the walking frame are obvious to the skilled person.

It is also possible to fasten the boot on the frame 4 in a different manner. To this end, for instance at the location of the attachment means 5 and 6, quick coupling systems as used in, for instance, cycling can be mounted. Such systems are marketed by, for instance, Shimano and comprise a receiving element with a resilient edge portion and, attached to the sole of the boot a cam element that can be snapped into the receiving element. Usually, the boot can be released by turning the foot sideways. However, with the described clap ski binding this is not possible because here, the boot is secured both at the front and at the rear. Therefore, a modification is required through which the rear coupling can be unlocked by hand or with the aid of a ski pole, so that the heel can be lifted. Then, the front coupling can be released by turning the foot sideways.

Fig. 12 schematically shows an example of a modified rear coupling 110. The modification comprises an operating lever 111, which can be pushed down by hand or with a ski pole or the like against the spring pressure. Then, the coupling opens and the heel of the foot can be pivoted upwards.

Then, the front coupling can be uncoupled in a customary manner by twisting the foot.

The parts of such a coupling provided on the boot are quite flat, so that one can walk on such a boot. Then, a walking frame is not required and the frame 4 does not have to be detached.

These and other modifications obvious to the skilled person are understood to fall within the inventive scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A binding of the clap ski type for a ski or skate (1), comprising a base plate (10) attached during use on a ski or skate, a hinge part (2) attached during use on the base plate, a support (8) attached at a distance therebehind on the base plate and a frame (4), attached in operation to the hinge part (2) by means of a hinge pin (3) and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, which frame is provided with front (5) and rear (6) fastening means for a shoe (7) of an athlete, wherein return means are provided which can return the pivotable frame (4) from an open position into the closed position, characterized in that the return means comprise at least one or more first permanent magnets (62) which are provided on the part of the pivotable frame (4) located before the hinge pin (3) and which cooperate with one or more second permanent magnets (65), which are provided on the hinge part (2) opposite the first permanent magnets (62), while the first (62) and second (65) permanent magnets repel each other.

2 A binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the part of the pivotable frame (4) located directly behind the hinge pin is provided with one or more third magnets (67) which lie opposite one or more fourth magnets (69) which are attached to or in the hinge part (2), while the third (67) and the fourth (69) magnets attract each other.

3. A binding according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear part (50) of the pivotable frame (4) remote from the hinge pin (3) is provided on the underside facing the base plate (10) with a cage (19) open at the underside, which, in the closed position of the frame (4), drops around a support (8) attached on the base plate (10).

4. A binding according to claim 3, characterized in that the support is provided with one or more fifth magnets (70), which lie opposite one or more sixth magnets of the cage (71), while the fifth (70) and sixth (71) magnets attract one another.

5. A binding according to any one of claims 2 - 4, characterized in that at least the second (65) and fourth (69) magnets provided on the hinge part (2) together are arranged in a Halbach array (Hi, ¾).

6. A binding according to any one of claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the first (62) and/or third (65) magnets comprise a Halbach array.

7. A binding according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the fifth (70) and/or the sixth (71) magnets comprise a Halbach array.

8. A binding according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the hinge pin (3) is provided with flattened parts (38) and, in mounted condition, extends through openings (36) in two ears (35) of the hinge part (2), located on opposite sides of the front part (40) of the pivotable frame (4), which ears (35) are each accessible each via a slot (37) to the edge of the ears (35), while the flattened parts (38) of the hinge pin (3) can pass the slots (37), and wherein the hinge pin (3) is provided with an operating handle (42; 85) for pivoting the hinge pin (3) between a position in which the flattened parts (38) he before the slots (37) so that the hinge pin (3) can be detached together with the pivotable frame (4) and a locking position in which the flattened parts (38) do not lie before the slots (37).

9. A binding according to claim 8, characterized in that the hinge pin

(3) comprises two parts (82, 83) mutually slideable in the longitudinal direction, which are provided each at their free end with a dish-shaped part (80, 82) and with a quick span handle (85) with a cam (86) provided on one end, which can pull the slideable parts towards each other.

10. A binding according to any one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the base plate (10) has side edges (12) profiled with an undercut, around which engage with corresponding profiles a fastening part (13) of the hinge part (2) and a fastening part (14) for the support (8), such that the fastening parts (13; 14) can be slid back and forth.

11. A binding according to claim 10, characterized in that for the fastening parts (13; 14) of the hinge part (3) and the support (8) locking means (17, 18) are provided, which have the form of a slightly bulging leaf spring, which drop with one or two cam-shaped free ends (23, 24) in transverse slots (15a, 15b; 16) of the base plate and which are provided with one or two operating lips (28, 29; 46) for lifting the cam-shaped ends from a transverse slot.

12. A binding according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized by spring means (75) acting between the pivotable frame (4) and the base plate (10), which effect that the frame (4) in unloaded condition is not pulled completely into the closed position.

13. A binding according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the fastening means (5, 6) for a shoe (7) comprise quick coupling systems, wherein a quick coupling system (110) for the rear side of the shoe is provided with an uncoupling lever (111) which can be operated manually or with a ski pole.

14. A binding according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the fastening means (5, 6) for a shoe are positioned such that the hinge pin (3) is located under the ball of the foot of the user.

15. A walking frame (90) provided with fastening means for a pivotable frame (4) of a binding according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the fastening means comprise front and rear fastening means, wherein the front fastening means comprise two ears (100) with openings (99) which are accessible via slots, which openings (99) can receive the hinge pin (3) for the pivotable frame (4) of the binding, wherein the front part of the pivotable frame (4) lies between the ears (100) and wherein the rear fastening means comprise a cavity (93) in which is located a block (94) corresponding with the support of a binding, wherein the opening is provided with an undercut rear edge (95), under which can engage a cam portion (96) of a cage (19) of the binding, which cage (19) can also receive the block.