Patent Application
20200122016
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10-2018-125546.2, filed Oct. 15, 2018, the contents of such application being incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a ski binding which in a first arrangement, in which a front end of a ski boot is held in a first holding device, can be used for ascending in skis and in a second arrangement, in which the front end of the ski boot is held in a second holding device, can be used for downhill skiing. The second holding device can be detachably connected to the first holding device.
Free-touring is now a popular sport in which the effort of ascending in skis is ideally combined with the pleasure of the subsequent descent in pristine terrain. In order to be able to safely execute the ascent and descent, more and more bindings are being offered which attempt a balancing act between as little weight as possible for the ascent and the necessary safety for the descent in deep snow.
EP 2 1826 528 B1, which is incorporated by reference, for instance, discloses a combined touring and downhill binding comprising a first holding device, in which a front end of the ski boot is held for ascending, and a second holding device in which the front end of the ski boot is held for descending, wherein the lateral engaging elements of the first holding device which are necessary for ascending are arranged directly on the second holding device. The configuration can be varied between ascending and descending by pivoting the second holding device. In the configuration for ascending in particular, the weight of the integrated second holding device needlessly hampers ascending.
There is therefore a need for a generic ski binding which does not exhibit these drawbacks. An aspect of the application is a ski binding using which ascending and downhill skiing can be safely executed.
Advantageous developments of the ski binding are described in the claims and in the description.
One aspect of the invention relates to a ski binding, comprising: a front jaw for holding a front end of the sole of a ski boot; and a rear jaw for holding a rear end of the sole of a ski boot. When the ski boot is being held in the ski binding, the front end of the sole is arranged in front of the rear end of the sole in the skiing direction and points towards the tip of the ski.
The front jaw of the ski binding comprises a base, via which the front jaw can be connected to a ski, and a jaw body which is or can be connected to the base or is formed together with the base, for example originally molded in one piece with the base.
The front jaw comprises a first holding device using which a ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for ascending. This first holding device defines a joint axis about which the ski boot can be pivoted via its front end. The front jaw also comprises a second holding device using which the ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for descending, wherein the second holding device exhibits a first configuration for descending, in which the second holding device is in contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a second configuration for ascending, in which the second holding device is out of contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot. In the first configuration for descending, the second holding device is coupled to the base and/or the first holding device; in the second configuration for ascending, the second holding device can be completely removed, in particular in one part, from the first holding device, i.e. the second holding device is embodied such that it can preferably be removed, preferably manually removed, in one piece from the base and/or the first holding device, for ascending in skis, wherein “manually” in this case describes removing by hand, substantially without using a tool, but for example with the aid of a ski pole.
The first holding device preferably comprises at least one first engaging element, preferably a first and a second engaging element, which can be moved from a first position, in which they have a first distance from each other, towards each other into a second position in which they have a second distance from each other which is smaller than the first distance. In the second position, the at least one first engaging element or the first engaging element engages with a first receptacle in the front end of the sole. The first receptacle can preferably be formed in a side wall of the front end of the sole, which extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ski boot. In the second position, the second engaging element engages with a second receptacle in the front end of the sole, wherein the second receptacle is formed opposite the first receptacle in relation to a central axis of the ski boot in the longitudinal direction. The first engaging element, the first receptacle, the second engaging element and the second receptacle thus define the joint axis about which the ski boot can be pivoted.
The front jaw can also comprise a tensing device which can move the first engaging element and the second engaging element into the second position and hold and/or secure them in the second position. The tensing device can comprise a tensing lever using which the tensing device or a tensing element of the tensing device can be tensed and relaxed or released, preferably manually or with the aid of a ski pole. If the tensing device is tensed, the tensing lever is correspondingly situated in a second position; if the tensing device is relaxed or released, it is situated in a first position.
The first holding device can be a holding device such as is for example used in a front jaw of a pin binding, comprising pins as the engaging elements which engage with the corresponding receptacles in the sole of the ski boot.
The second holding device can comprise a holding device body featuring: a first ski boot retainer which encompasses the front end of the sole at least laterally; and a second ski boot retainer which encompasses the front end of the sole of the ski boot at least laterally, wherein the first ski boot retainer and the second ski boot retainer can form contact areas which, in the first configuration for descending in skis, lie on a free surface of the front end of the sole of the ski boot and hold the ski boot down onto the ski, wherein the first ski boot retainer can be connected to the holding device body in a first ski boot retainer pivot joint and the second ski boot retainer can be connected to the holding device body in a second ski boot retainer pivot joint, wherein a pivot axis of the first ski boot retainer pivot joint and a pivot axis of the second ski boot retainer pivot joint are substantially perpendicular to the joint axis of the first holding device and perpendicular to a surface of the ski. A wire which is bent substantially in a U-shape can serve as the pivot axis of the first ski boot retainer pivot joint and the pivot axis of the second ski boot retainer pivot joint. The wire can be fitted through openings in the upper side of the holding device body, wherein the two open ends of the wire can grip and/or engage with or through an opening in the first ski boot retainer and second ski boot retainer which corresponds to this opening, in order to form the ski boot retainer pivot joints.
In general, it should be the case that the parts forming a joint can comprise sliding surfaces which are formed by subsequent machining or off-tool, wherein only one of the parts forming the joint or both parts forming the joint can comprise the sliding surface. The sliding surfaces can also be formed by separate parts, such as annular bodies, which are connected to a joint part during or after manufacture. Lastly, the possibility should also not be excluded of a joint comprising a bearing, such as a spherical bearing, needle bearing or barrel-shaped bearing, etc., which is then correspondingly shielded against the outside in order to reduce the risk of soiling from snow.
A spring element can tense the first ski boot retainer and the second ski boot retainer towards each other and in the process press them against the sides of the front end of the sole, when the ski binding is being used for descending.
Lastly, the second holding device can comprise a connecting device which connects the second holding device detachably, preferably manually detachably, to the base, the jaw body and/or the first holding device.
The connecting device can comprise a first connecting arm, which is rigidly connected to or formed by the holding device body, and a second connecting arm which is rigidly connected to or formed by the holding device body.
The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm can be arranged alongside each other in parallel or substantially in parallel and spaced from each other, wherein the first and second connecting arms can protrude from the holding device in the skiing direction.
The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm can each comprise a free end. The free ends of the connecting arms can have an engaging structure via which the connecting arms can co-operate with a complementary engaging structure which is formed on or comprised by the jaw body or the base, in order to form a pivot joint in which the second holding device is movably mounted on the base or jaw body, wherein the engaging structure can be connected, preferably manually, to the complementary engaging structure, and the engaging structure can be separated, preferably manually, from the engagement with the complementary engaging structure, such that—as already described above—the second holding device is embodied such that it can be removed manually or by hand from the front jaw. The engaging structure can be formed such that it can be connected to the complementary engaging structure in a positive fit and/or in a force fit. The complementary engaging structure can for example be a round rod onto which the engaging structure can be snapped, preferably manually. The engaging structure and the complementary engaging structure preferably form a connecting arm pivot joint or, respectively, two connecting arm pivot joints in which the second holding device can be pivoted relative to the base, wherein the round rod, or a rod having a polygonal, oval or otherwise shaped circumference, can be fixedly connected to the base or rotatably mounted in the base.
The second holding device has at least one receptacle opening with which a securing element can engage in order to fix the second holding device in the first configuration for descending in skis. The receptacle opening is preferably formed in a side of the second holding device which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The receptacle opening can be arranged in front of the abutment of the holding device body for the front end of the sole and/or in front of the first and second ski boot retainers in the skiing direction.
The securing element is in particular at least one engaging element or the engaging element of the first holding device, wherein said engaging element can be tensed by means of the tensing lever and engages with the receptacle opening and secures the second holding device in the first configuration for descending in skis. If the first holding device is a pin binding, the second holding device can comprise exactly two receptacle openings with which the pins can engage, wherein the receptacle openings are arranged on the second holding device such that in the first configuration, they lie in the same position relative to each other as the receptacles for the pins of a sole of the ski boot which is designed to be held in a pin binding.
The second holding device can also comprise a securing device which is connected to the holding device body such that it can be pivoted in at least one securing device pivot joint and which fixes the second holding device in the second configuration. The at least one securing device pivot joint defines a joint axis which extends substantially parallel to the connecting arm pivot joint described above. In order to form the securing device pivot joint, the connecting arm can comprise an opening with which an axle element connected to or formed by the securing device engages, or an opening can be formed in the securing device, with which an axle element connected to or formed by the connecting arm engages. When connected to the holding device body, the securing element is preferably arranged in a space between the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm, i.e. the two connecting arms are substantially parallel to each other and spaced from each other, wherein each of the connecting arms comprises a connecting arm outer side and a connecting arm inner side, and the two connecting arm inner sides face each other. The space is therefore a space defined by a width of the connecting arm inner sides perpendicular to their longitudinal axis and their distance from each other and a length of the connecting arms. In a pivoted position, a front end or rear end (in the skiing direction) of the securing element can project out of the space.
The securing device can comprise at least one securing arm; preferably, the securing device comprises a first securing arm, a second securing arm and a securing plate which connects the first securing arm and the second securing arm to each other at one end. The securing element can be formed substantially in a U-shape, with the securing plate as the base. The securing arms project from the base substantially perpendicularly and taper from the base to the respective free end constantly or continuously and/or in stages or sections. Preferably, the securing device is originally molded in one piece, for example bent from sheet metal or produced in a molding process.
The free ends of the securing arms can be formed in the shape of hooks and, in order to secure the second holding device, their hook-shaped ends which each form an engagement can grip below the connecting arm pivot axis, so as to prevent the engaging structure of the free ends of the connecting arms, which is for example claw-shaped, from being able to release itself from the connection to the complementary engaging structure when the ski is for example exposed to hard impacts while descending.
The at least one securing arm or the first securing arm and/or second securing arm can also comprise a molded part which protrudes from the corresponding securing arm substantially at a right angle. The molded part protrudes from the side of the securing arm which faces the connecting arm when the securing device is connected to the connecting arm or arms of the second holding device, wherein the molded part can extend beyond the connecting arm, such that the molded part lies on the connecting arm when the second holding device is secured by means of the securing element.
The front jaw can also comprise a latching mechanism which latches the tensing device when the second holding device is in the first configuration for descending in skis. The latching mechanism comprises at least one latching body, which forms an abutting area for the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a spring element which biases the latching body into a release position.
When stepping into the binding—which is in the first configuration—wearing a ski boot, the front end of the sole comes into contact with the abutting area of the latching body and, in the subsequent course of stepping in, moves the latching body—against a force of the spring element—into the holding device body of the second holding device, into a latching position. The latching body is held in the latching position as long as the ski boot is held in the first configuration which is set for descending in skis. If the ski boot is removed from the binding, or the binding is adjusted from the first configuration to the second configuration, the latching body is automatically moved back into the release position by the force of the spring element, wherein a first axial end of the spring element can be supported on the holding device body and a second axial end of the spring element can be supported on the latching body. The spring element can be a compression spring, a tension spring, a leaf spring, an elastically deformable solid body, a gas or liquid piston or other spring element.
The latching body can comprise a stud which protrudes perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski and acts on the tensing device of the first holding device, in order to secure the tensing device in the second position by preventing the tensing device from able to be released as long as the ski binding is in the first configuration and a ski boot is being held in the ski binding. In order to secure the tensing device in the tensed position, the stud can for example engage with the tensing device, abut an upper or lower side of the tensing device, at least partially encompass the tensing device, etc.
The front jaw can also comprise a bearing plate for a front part of the ski boot, on which a front region of the sole of the ski boot is placed when the ski boot is in the binding. The bearing plate can comprise a surface which is designed so that the sole of the ski boot can be released from the front jaw with no major friction when for example the ski binding or, respectively, the front jaw is laterally released. The bearing plate can be able to be moved transverse to the skiing direction in order to provide the ski boot with a freedom of movement transverse to the skiing direction before and during lateral release. Such bearing plates are known in the prior art, for which reason a detailed description is unnecessary.
The bearing plate can be adjusted into a first position and a second position via an adjusting mechanism using a tool. In the first position, the bearing plate is arranged in such a way relative to the front jaw that the binding can be used with a ski boot comprising a standardized classic downhill sole. In the second position of the bearing plate, the binding can be used for ascending and for descending in ski boots comprising a standardized touring sole.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a second holding device such as has been described on the preceding pages. The second holding device is arranged for being connected to the previously described first holding device.
In the following, aspects which have already been mentioned and other aspects are described in the form of claims. These aspects can substitute for claims or can be combined with one or more of the claims in order to enhance the subject-matter of the application.
a base (2), via which the front jaw (1′; 1) can be connected to a ski;
a jaw body which is or can be connected to the base (2) or forms part of the base (2);
a first holding device (3) using which a ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for ascending, wherein the first holding device (3) defines a joint axis (A1) about which the ski boot can be pivoted via its front end; and a second holding device (4) using which the ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for descending, wherein the second holding device (4) exhibits a first configuration for descending, in which the second holding device (4) is in contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a second configuration for ascending, in which the second holding device (4) is out of contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, wherein in the first configuration for descending, the second holding device (4) is coupled to the base (2) and/or the first holding device (3), wherein in the second configuration for ascending, the second holding device (4) is embodied such that it can be completely removed from the base (2) and/or the first holding device (3).
a holding device body (41);
a first ski boot retainer (44) which encompasses the front end of the sole at least laterally, wherein the first ski boot retainer (44) is connected to the holding device body (41) in a first pivot joint (S0);
a second ski boot retainer (43) which encompasses the front end of the sole at least laterally, wherein the second ski boot retainer (43) is connected to the holding device body (41) in a second pivot joint (S1);
at least one spring element (9) which tenses the first ski boot retainer (44) and the second ski boot retainer (43) towards each other; and
at least one connecting device which detachably connects the second holding device (4) to the base (2) and/or the first holding device (3).
In the following, aspects of the invention are described in more detail on the basis of figures from example embodiments. Features essential to aspects of the invention which can only be gathered from the figures form part of the scope of the disclosure and can be adduced, individually or in combination, in order to advantageously develop the subject-matter of the application. The figures show:
As shown in the example embodiment, the first holding device 3 can be part of the front jaw of a pin binding, wherein the engaging elements 31, 32 are the pins which are connected in a known way to the tensing device 5, which comprises a tensing lever 51 and a tensing element 52, via lever arms 33, 34. The first engaging element 31 and the second engaging element 32 can be moved by means of the tensing device 5 towards each other into the second position and fixed in the second position in order to hold the ski boot, and the two engaging elements 31, 32 can be moved by means of the tensing device 5 away from each other into the first position and fixed in the first position, where “fixed” is intended to mean that the engaging elements 31, 32 cannot be moved out of the first or, respectively, second position without employing an additional force which is greater than for example a force of gravity of the parts to be moved. In the configuration for ascending, the tensing device 5 is latched in a known way by actuating the tensing lever 51, i.e. by moving the tensing lever 51 for example in a direction away from a surface of the ski.
The bearing plate 7 is a known bearing plate which can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction L of the ski using a tool, in order to set the front jaw such that it can be used independently of the sole of the ski boot, i.e. used with a standardized downhill sole of the ski boot or a standardized touring sole of the ski boot or a sole of the ski boot which fulfils the standards for the downhill sole of the ski boot and the touring sole of the ski boot or, respectively, with the ski boot comprising the corresponding sole of the ski boot. The bearing plate 7 can be able to be moved in a direction Q transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the ski, in order not to obstruct the release movement when the front jaw is laterally released while descending in skis. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing plate 7 can comprise a surface which assists a sole of the ski boot in sliding in the event of lateral release by reducing a friction resistance between the lower side of the sole of the ski boot and the upper side of the bearing plate 7.
In the region of the front jaw 1′ which is a front region in the skiing direction, a joint axis A2 can be seen which, together with a joint axis A3 which is arranged on the other side of the front jaw 1′ and cannot be seen in
The second holding device 4 comprises a holding device body 41 featuring a first ski boot retainer 43 and a second ski boot retainer 44, which at least partially encompass the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a first connecting arm 45 and a second connecting arm 46 which are designed to connect—preferably, detachably connect—the second holding device 4 to the first holding device 3 of
The first connecting arm 45 and the second connecting arm 46 comprise an engaging structure 45a, 46a—in the example embodiment, a claw-shaped engaging structure—via which the second holding device 4 can be connected to the first holding device 3 in a positive fit, by snapping the engaging structure 45a, 46a of the second holding device 4 onto the joint axes A2 and A3, respectively. The connection between the joint axis A2 and the engaging structure 45a then forms a pivot joint S2, and the connection between the joint axis A3 and the engaging structure 46a then forms a pivot joint S3. Since the joint axes A2 and A3 form a common pivot axis S23 (
A securing device 6 is connected to the connecting arms 45, 46. The securing device 6 comprises a first securing arm 61 and a second securing arm 62 and a securing plate 63 which connects the first securing arm 61 and the second securing arm 62 at one end, such that the securing device 6 is substantially U-shaped. The closed end of the U faces the holding device body 41; the open ends, which form an engagement 61a, 62a of the first securing arm 61 and second securing arm 62, are hook-shaped. The securing device 6 and the holding device body 41 are connected to each other, such that they can be pivoted. To this end, the first connecting arm 45 comprises a transit opening 45b, and the first securing arm 61 comprises a transit opening which is not visible. A joint axis A4 extends through the two transit openings 45b and forms part of a pivot joint S4. The second connecting arm 46 has a transit opening (not shown), and the second securing arm 62 has a transit opening 62b, through which a joint axis A5 protrudes in order to form a pivot joint S5. The pivot joint S4 and the pivot joint S5 form a common pivot axis S45, about which the securing device 6 can be pivoted relative to the holding device body 41. In the example embodiment, the securing device 6 is arranged between the first connecting arm 45 and the second connecting arm 46.
The pivot axis S45 is arranged between the pivot axis S23 and the securing plate 63, nearer to the securing plate 63 in the example embodiment.
If the second holding device 4 is pivoted completely onto the first holding device 3, the securing device 6 secures the second holding device 4 in this position, in that the engagements 61a, 62a of the securing arms 61, 62 grip below the joint axes A2, A3 (
The securing device 6 or, respectively, the first securing arm 61 and the second connecting arm 46 also comprise(s) molded parts 64, 65 which protrude from one of the longitudinal sides of the first securing arm 61 and second securing arm 62 at an angle of substantially 90°. The molded part 64 protrudes from the first securing arm 61 towards the first connecting arm 45 and, in the example embodiment, has a length transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the ski which is greater than a thickness of the first connecting arm 45. The same correspondingly applies to the molded part 65.
Lastly, the first connecting arm 45 preferably comprises a complementary holding element, which cannot be seen in this view, and the second connecting arm 46 preferably comprises a complementary holding element 46c which can co-operate with the holding elements 91, 92 (
The first ski boot retainer 43 is connected to the holding device body 41 in a pivot joint S0, and the second ski boot retainer 44 is connected to the holding device body 41 in a pivot joint S1. A spring element 9 (see
The second holding device 4 also comprises a receptacle 47, with which the engaging element 31 of the first holding device 3 engages, and a receptacle which is not visible and with which the engaging element 32 of the first holding device 3 engages when the front jaw 1 is used in the downhill mode. The engagement between the engaging elements 31, 32 and the receptacles 47 secures the second holding device 4 against being unintentionally released. To this end, and as when securing the first holding device 3, the first engaging element 31 and the second engaging element 32 are tensed towards each other using the tensing lever 51. This means that when the front jaw 1 is in the position for descending, the receptacles 47 must lie in exactly the same position relative to the first holding device 3 as the position in which the openings are situated in the sole of the ski boot for the pins 31, 32 when the front jaw 1′ of
In this position, an abutting area 42a can be seen which a front end of the sole of the ski boot abuts when the ski boot is held in the binding designed for descending (
The latching element 8 ensures that the engaging elements 31, 32 are not unintentionally released from the receptacles 47 in the configuration for descending, as long as a ski boot is situated in the front jaw 1. Additionally latching the engaging elements 31, 32 by actuating the tensing lever 51, as described in the embodiment according to
If a user steps into the front jaw 1 of
In order to connect the second holding device 4 to the base 2, the split pin 200 protrudes through a part of an outer housing of the base 2, through the second holding device 4 and then into another part of the base 2 which is formed between the two connecting arms 45, 46 of the second holding device 4.
Unlike the front jaw 1 of
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2018 125 546.2 | Oct 2018 | DE | national |
