Safety-straplike connecting member

Abstract

A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or to a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a safety-straplike connecting member for safety ski bindings which are equipped with a ski brake, preferably as a safety mechanism during travel on chairlifts, which is secured or hinged through one of its ends by means of eyelets, hooks, or the like and a lock either on the ski boot or a ski-fixed binding part or the like or to the ski and can be releasably fixed, in particular can be locked by means of a releasable locking mechanism, through its other end either to the ski or to a ski-fixed binding part or the like or to the ski boot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A safety-straplike connecting member of the above-mentioned type is for example described in Austrian Pat. No. 289 613. In this known construction the connection between ski boot and safety ski binding or ski consists of a band-shaped multiply bent member, which is nonreleasably secured, however, is swingable through a limited range relative to the safety ski binding. The band-shaped member is arbitrarily releasably secured to the ski boot. A disadvantage of the known device consists in the use of one structural part, which is either only arbitrarily releasably connected to the ski boot or performs uncontrolled swivelling movements in the loose condition (not locked on the ski boot) and thus creates a dangerous condition for the skier. Furthermore the band-shaped member is a relatively large bulky structural part.

It is also known according to Austrian Pat. No. 270 471 to use a catch mechanism for skis, wherein same is in the region of the safety ski binding, and creates a connection, through an automatic coupling during stepping into the safety binding, with a fastening part which is provided on the ski boot. However, it is not possible with this construction to release the safety mechanism from the ski boot, as long as same is locked in the safety ski binding.

According to French Pat. No. 2 147 916 it is furthermore known, to design a catch mechanism which consists of a plastic material such that same is arbitrarily releasably fixed to the ski boot with one of its ends and is with its other end either secured ski-fixed or fixed through a notch on a ski brake, which notch releases during an overload and releases the ski brake. The disadvantage of this device is in the mandatory use of mountings on the ski boot, furthermore in the catch mechanism being able to be mounted only in the front area of the ski boot, and--if existing--the ski brake also having to be arranged in front of the front jaw. All of these solutions are, based on experience, nonfavorable, since the skier during a fall experiences a sudden jerk or pull at the most sensitive area of the foot. Therefore, such solutions were unable to be successful on the market, in spite of repeated attempts.

The goal of the invention is to avoid the mentioned and further disadvantages of known constructions and to provide a safety-straplike connecting member, which either releases automatically during an overload, or can also be moved into a loose position, when the ski boot is in an engaged condition in the safety ski binding.

The set purpose is inventively attained by the connecting member being constructed as an elastic band or as a fixed, multipart member which is provided with at least one hinge and which can be folded and by the locking mechanism having at least one resilient element which can engage directly or through a connecting piece indirectly arbitrarily with a counterpiece which is constructed as a notch. The locking mechanism will, at least upon the occurrence of an overload of a predetermined magnitude, be released automatically, preferably also by hand and without encountering the entire closing force of the locking mechanism.

A further advantage of an inventive construction includes the locking mechanism being arbitrarily released also in the case of an engaged safety ski binding. In a different exemplary embodiment, the safety ski binding becomes engaged when the safety strap is locked on the ski.

Further details, advantages and characteristics of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which illustrate five exemplary embodiments.

Since the structure of the safety ski binding which is illustrated in the following exemplary embodiments is known by itself and these are only used to illustrate the arrangement of the inventive chairlift safety mechanism, they will be described hereinafter only as one unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a locking part of a locking mechanism which is associated with a safety strap;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a side view and a top view, respectively, of the locking part partially cross sectioned in use with a counterpart on a safety ski binding;

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a different exemplary embodiment of a locking mechanism, wherein FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the counterpiece, FIG. 6 is also a perspective view of the resilient element, FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembly of a safety ski binding with the inventive locking mechanism thereon, and FIG. 8 is a top view of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a side and top view, respectively, partially in cross section of a further exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a fourth exemplary embodiment of the inventive locking mechanism, in which an effective closing (a locking) of the safety ski binding is only possible when the safety strap is connected, and in which parts of the safety ski binding are illustrated in opened condition, wherein FIG. 11 is a side view of the safety ski binding in the opened position without a connected safety strap, FIG. 12 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the structural part which receives the resilient element, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the locking part of the element, FIG. 14 is a partially sectioned side view of the safety ski binding with the connected counterpart of the locking mechanism in the position prior to closing (locking) of the safety ski binding, and FIG. 15 illustrates the safety ski binding in the closed condition according to FIG. 14; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further locking mechanism, wherein FIG. 16 is a side view of the not connected position and FIG. 17 is a side view of the connected position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The resilient element of an inventive locking mechanism, which element is constructed as a holding part 2, is secured to one end of a safety strap 1, which end is arranged on a safety ski binding 4 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The holding part 2 consists of two small spring-steel plates riveted together by means of three rivets 1a (FIG. 1) arranged in the corners of a triangle and with the safety strap 1 sandwiched therebetween. The rivets 1a further extend through the material of the strap 1. The part of the holding part 2, which projects beyond the safety strap 1, is bent such that it forms, as illustrated, in the side-elevational view of FIG. 2, an angled profile 2a. Furthermore the two angled profiles, which together form the holding part 2, are symmetrical. The end of the angled profile 2a adjacent the safety strap 1, is inclined to the plane 2c of the strap at a steeper angle than the profile part remote therefrom. The pair of the profiled parts 2a forming the holding part 2 at an end thereof remote from the safety strap 1 forms a squarelike profile having an open corner defining a space 2b between the two free ends of the angled profiles 2a.

An elongated slot 3a, the length of which extends perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski, is provided in a release lever 3 of a conventional safety ski binding 4, as this is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and on a side thereof which is remote from a ski (not shown). The width of the slot 3a is slightly larger than the width of the holding part 2 as is illustrated in FIG. 4. The dimension of the slot 3a in direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski is slightly less than the greatest dimension of the square forming profiles 2a. The safety strap 1 is secured by means of its other end in a conventional manner through a ski boot (not shown) to the foot of the skier.

If a skier has entered into the safety ski binding, he must, in order to obtain a "chairlift lock device," that is, a securement of the safety strap to the skier to withstand the force imposed by a ski becoming free of the skier riding on the chairlift, introduce the holding part 2, as can be seen from the drawing according to FIGS. 3 and 4, into the slot 3a provided in the release lever 3. Due to the flatter rise of the square forming profiles 2a at the end of the holding part remote from the safety strap 1 and due to the fact that between the ends of holding part 2 there exists a space 2b, and due to the use of spring steel for the manufacture of the holding part 2, it is relatively simple to introduce the holding part 2 into the slot 3a without applying a great amount of force. The holding part 2 is thereby positioned substantially perpendicular to the release lever 3. The holding part 2 is prevented from falling out of the slot 3a by the square forming profiles 2a. Also a substantially greater force must be applied to effect a pulling of the safety strap 1 or the holding part 2 out of the slot 3a of the release lever 3 than is needed for inserting same into the opening.

If now due to unfavorable circumstances the safety ski binding 4 opens unintentionally, for example during travel on a chairlift, the ski can only fall downwardly until the length of the safety strap 1 limits this movement. The holding part 2 is made of such a strong spring steel sheet metal and the square forming profiles 2a are constructed such that in the one case, as just described, the holding part 2 is not pulled out of the slot 3a. If the skier falls during slow speed, approximately at a walking speed or only at a slightly faster speed of travel, the holding part 2 will not be pulled out of the slot 3a. At any rate there does not as yet exist any danger to the skier from the ski which is secured to him/her by means of the safety strap, and it has the advantage that the skier must not go back to get the ski which has been stopped by the ski brake. However, if the skier falls at a faster speed, where the ski would be likely to create a dangerous condition for the skier, the safety strap 1 or the holding part 2 will be pulled out of the slot 3a, and the ski will be stopped in a conventional manner by the ski brake.

The exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 5 to 8 also disclose a safety strap 1, which is intended as a "chairlift lock device" and which will be pulled free from a safety ski binding 4 upon an overload, such as will occur during falls at fast speeds. A holding part 12 is also riveted by means of rivets 1a to the safety strap 1. The holding part 12 is a rectangular structural part having a substantially constant thickness. The holding part 12 is elongated, and has extending in the longitudinal direction, as can be seen from the drawing according to FIG. 5, a slot 12a therein, the length of which will be described in more detail below, and the ends of which each have a radius. Approximately in the center of the slot 12a there is provided a laterally extending slot 12b which crosses the slot 12a and which has a size which will be described more in detail below.

A T-shaped or hammerlike part 14 which is illustrated in FIG. 6 consists of an elastic material, preferably of rubber, or the like and has a stem 14a with an oval cross section, and on which is provided an elongated head part 14b, the shape of which corresponds approximately with the shape of the slot 12a, excluding the notches defined by the laterally extending slot 12b. The width of the notches 12b in the holding part 12 is slightly smaller than the larger diameter of the oval stem 14a.

The T-shaped part 14 is secured to the release lever 13 of the safety ski binding 4 so that the longitudinal axis of the stem 14a stands perpendicularly on the release lever 13 such that the head part 14b lies parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski.

After the skier has entered into the binding, he moves the holding part 12 corresponding with its form onto the T-shaped part 14, until it has reached the stem 14a, and swings or turns then the holding part 12 at 90.degree. about its longitudinal axis into the position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Due to the fact that the largest diameter of the stem 14a of the T-shaped part 14 is larger than the recess, (width of the slot 12a and the two notches 12b), transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the holding part 12, the holding part 12 is jammed onto the T-shaped part 14.

If now the ski falls downwardly away from the skier during travel on a chairlift, the ski will be held to the skier by the safety strap 1. As in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the safety strap 1 does not disengage from the T-shaped part 14 even during falls at slow speed. Only during falls at faster speeds will the holding part 12 be pulled off from the T-shaped part 14. The two ends of the head part 14b are thereby pulled by the holding part 12 in a direction away from the safety ski binding 4 approximately vertically upwardly, and form approximately an extension of the stem 14a. The notches 12b which are provided in the holding part 12 make it possible for the holding part to slide over the collapsed head part 14b. Furthermore, the T-shaped part 14 can be manually gripped when used as a handle for effecting an easier manual opening of the release lever 13.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 9 and 10, a release lever 23 of a safety ski binding 4 has on its underside 23b a rectangular-shaped, in longitudinal cross section, enlargement 23c of constant thickness. The release lever 23 has a rectangular-shaped recess 23d on its upperside 23a, which recess extends into the enlargement 23c, however, does not extend completely therethrough. The enlargement 23c is provided approximately on the longitudinal axis of the ski and is designed substantially symmetrical thereto. The enlargement 23c part of the release lever 23 has an opening 23e in the region of the longitudinal axis of the ski which extends perpendicularly with respect to the width of the slot 23d and opens outwardly toward the tail of the ski.

The opening terminates at one end in the slot 23d. The other end of the opening 23e, which end opens outwardly toward the tail of the ski, is provided with a thread extending approximately over one third of the length of the opening 23e. After this first third, the opening 23e is stepped into a larger diameter. Shortly before terminating in the rectangular slot 23d, the opening 23e is tapered slightly. An adjusting screw 24 having a slotted head threadedly engages the threaded part of the opening 23e. The adjusting screw 24 has at its end remote from the head a platelike part 24a. A coil spring 25 is supported at one end thereof on the platelike part 24a. The coil spring 25 engages at its other end a locking ball 26, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 23e in the region whereat it terminates in the rectangular slot 23d. As a result, it is not possible for the ball 26 to be pressed completely into the slot 23d. With the aid of the adjusting screw 24, it is possible to change the initial tension of the coil spring 25 and, as a result, the release value of a locking part 27 or of the safety strap 1 from the release lever 23 can be changed. The selection of the spring 25 determines the limits between which the release force can be adjusted.

The end of the safety strap 1 which is associated with the release lever 23, is gripped by the locking part 27. The locking part 27 is a rectangular member having a substantially constant thickness. Only on one side, as can be seen from the drawings according to FIGS. 9 and 10, does the locking part 27 have an approximately semispherical-shaped locked cup 27a. If the skier has entered, as in the two preceding exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 8, into the safety ski binding 4, he then places the end of the safety strap 1 having the locking part 27 thereon into the rectangular slot 23d of the release lever 23 so that the locking ball 26 is received in the locking cup 27a in the locking part 27. Just as in the preceding two exemplary embodiments, here too the ski (not shown) is prevented from falling downwardly to the ground from for example a chairlift, because the locking part 27a will not become disengaged in such a case from the locking cup 26. Also locking ball 26 and locking part 27 remain in engagement during falls which occur at relatively slow speeds. In the case of falls at a high speed, the safety strap 1 is pulled out of its locking relation with the release lever 23 and the ski (not shown) is stopped by the ski brake on the ski.

A closing of the heel hold down means of a safety ski binding, which closing is associated with a locking thereof, is only possible in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 15, if the safety strap 1 is in the locked position, as shown in the position according to FIG. 14.

The release lever 33 has, as can best be seen from the inclined cross-sectional illustration according to FIG. 12, a small slot 33c and a large slot 33d. The large slot 33d is provided in direction toward the tail of the ski behind the small slot 33c. Both the large slot 33d and also the small slot 33c are designed substantially rectangular in shape, are provided in the region of the longitudinal axis of the ski, are oriented perpendicularly with respect to same and are positioned substantially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis of the release lever. Furthermore to rectangular plates 33e, 33f are mounted on the underside 33b of the release lever 33. The plate 33e is provided between the two slots 33c, 33d and the other plate 33f is provided in direction toward the tail of the ski behind the large slot 33d. The width of the plates 33e, 33f will be described more in detail hereinbelow. A substantially rectangular support block 33g is provided on the underside 33b of the release lever 33 behind the plate 33f in direction toward the tail of the ski. The support block 33g is approximately as wide as the two rectangular plates 33e, 33f. The support block 33g has on its side which is remote from the tail of the ski and which lies perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski three blind holes 33h of a diameter which will be described more in detail below.

A locking part 34 having an irregular shape has a substantially rectangularly-shaped operating plate 34a of a substantially constant thickness, has approximately in the central region on each side thereof one locking plate 34b, 34c, which are supported on the rectangular plates 33e, 33f on the release lever 33 such that the operating plate 34a extends through the large slot 33d in the release lever 33 perpendicularly with respect to the planar surface of the release lever 33 and permits the locking part 34 to undergo a limited amount of movement in direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski. The path which the locking part 34 can cover is determined by the dimension of the large slot 33d in direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski.

The locking part 34 is biassed by three coil springs 35 which engage at one end thereof an edge of the locking plate 34c which faces the tail of the ski. The other ends of the coil springs 35 are received in the three blind holes 33h provided in the support block 33g of the release lever 33. The diameters of the blind holes 33h are slightly larger than the diameters of the coil springs 35.

The free end of the locking plate 34b which is remote from the end of the ski has a radius thereat. Furthermore said locking plate 34b is approximately twice as long as the locking plate 34c which faces the tail of the ski. The end of the locking plate 34b having the radius thereat, it aligned with the approximate longitudinal center of the small slot 33c when the locking part is in the position which is most remote from the tail of the ski. Approximately in the area below the small slot 33c, there is provided a binding-fixed structural part 36 having an opening 36a therein, which opening 36a permits an unrestricted introduction of a locking part 37 into the small slot 33c. Thereafter, the release lever 33 is swung to the closed condition.

The locking part 37 is, as can be recognized from FIGS. 14 and 15, a rectangular member having a substantially constant thickness and has on its side which faces the tail of the ski in enlargement 37a. The enlargement 37a starts at the end of the locking part 37 remote from the safety strap 1, and rises slowly and continuously before it drops off steeply to the part having a substantially constant thickness. The enlargement 37a extends approximately half of the length of the locking part 37 which is riveted to the safety strap 1 by means of rivets 38. The safety strap 1 is riveted to the side of the locking part 37 remote from the tail of the ski.

As can be recognized from the perspective view according to FIG. 13, the operating plate 34a of the locking part 34 has at one edge a sloped surface 34d. The purpose of the sloped surface 34d will be described more in detail hereinbelow.

In the lifted-up condition of the release lever 33, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the end of the operating plate 34a having the sloped surface 34d thereon, rests in a correspondingly shaped groove 36b provided at an edge of the binding-fixed structural part 36. The sloped surface 34d assures the secure resting of the operating plate 34a in the groove 36b.

As can be seen according to FIG. 11, it is impossible to close the release lever 33, as long as the locking part 37 is not in the small slot 33c.

Due to the slow and continuous rise of the enlargement 37a, it is now easy to introduce the locking part 34 into the small slot 33c to effect a moving back of the locking part 34. During this movement the operating plate 34a becomes disengaged from the groove 36b associated therewith, and it is possible to swing the release lever 33 in a clockwise direction and to thus lock the safety ski binding. In order to prevent a possible catching of the operating plate 34aon the rear edge of the binding-fixed structural part 36, the operating plate 34a has the aforementioned sloped surface 34d.

With respect to ski loss during chairlift travel or falls, the locking securement of the locking part 37 to the release lever 33 behaves as in the described exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 10. For a voluntary opening, it is possible to manually move the locking part 34 in direction of the arrow P against the force of the springs 35, so that little or no force is needed.

In the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, a safety strap is not used but instead a catching mechanism 41 is used. A safety ski binding 4 of common structure is secured to a ski (not identified). A plate 4a is secured on the safety ski binding 4, which plate is provided with an opening 4b, the axis of which extends perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski. A two-part holding bar 42 is pivotally supported through a limited range in the opening 4b. The first part 42a is designed substantially straight and is hingedly connected to the second part 42c by means of a hinge 42b. In the region of the plate 4a the second part 42c is bent at almost 90.degree. in a direction away from the safety ski binding 4 to form a section 42d. The second part 42c also has at the just now described end a bent section 42e extending at a right angle to the section 42d and generally parallel to the axis of the opening 4b.

Two brackets 43 are provided in the area of the bent section 42d or the bend 42e arranged thereon. The brackets 43 are both hook-shaped and are supported on one end of a holding rod 44 by means of a laterally extending pin 45 such that the hook-shaped parts face one another. The other end of the holding rod 44 has an eyelet 44a formed thereon. The holding rod 44 has in the region of the end which faces the brackets 43 a shoulder 44b. A hollow cylinder 46, the diameter of which is sufficiently large that it can grip over the brackets 43, when these are in the position according to FIG. 17, grips over the just now described structural parts. The end of the cylinder 46 remote from the brackets 43 is closed off and has in the center an opening 46a extending therethrough. The holding rod 44 extends through the opening 46a. The cylinder 46 is designed sufficiently long that it extends in the opened position of the safety mechanism 41 in direction of the brackets 43 approximately to the pin 45. A coil spring 47, which is supported with one end on the shoulder 44b of the holding rod 44, biasses the cylinder 46 in direction away from the safety ski binding 4.

The holding rod 44 is supported by means of a hinge pin 48, which normally extends through the eyelet 44a and through openings in a bearing part 49 fixedly connected to the ski boot 50. Furthermore, a lever 51 is pivotally supported through a limited range on the hinge pin 48. The lever 51 has in the area of the bearing part 49 a fork-shaped part 51a, which permits it to carry out an unrestricted swinging movement in spite of the existence of the holding rod 44 in this region.

Due to the special construction of the lever 51 in the region of the fork-shaped part 51a, it is possible for the cylinder 46 to be locked or fixedly held in two positions. Furthermore, the lever 51 has at its end which is remote from the fork-shaped part 51a a depression 51b, which facilitates an operation of the same with a ski pole.

If the skier now enters the safety ski binding 4, the two brackets 43 slide over the bent sections 42e, which are on the second part 42c of the catch mechanism 41 in the region of the bent section 42d. Due to the special form of the brackets 43, these are spread apart and will, as soon as the safety ski binding 4 is locked, lie in the position as is illustrated in FIG. 16. The lever 51 is then in the position according to FIG. 16. The highest point of the fork-shaped part 51a, which loads the cylinder 46, is thereby farther away from the ski boot 50 than the holding rod 44. The lever 51 receives thereby a torque in counterclockwise direction. Since the lever 51 rests on the ski boot 50, it is thus locked in this position and is also secured against vibration. Since no connection at all exists between the brackets 43 and the two-part holding bar 42, the catch mechanism 41 behaves during a fall just as if it was not at all in existence.

If the skier moves the lever 51 into the position illustrated in FIG. 17, as this will be the case prior to travelling on the chairlift, the cylinder 46 will be moved due to the camlike form of the fork-shaped part 51a against the force of the coil spring 47 over the brackets 43. The brackets 43 are closed and grip around the bent section 42e. A loss of the ski (not identified in detail) is now no longer possible, because the connection between the brackets 43 cannot be released in this position. The point on the lever 51, which loads the cylinder 46 and engages the end of the cylinder in the locked position is torqued in the clockwise direction by the coil spring in the cylinder 46 to cause the lever 51 to be held in the locked position. If the lever 51 is again moved into the position according to FIG. 16, then the two brackets 43 again rest releasably on the bent section 42e of the second holding part 43c.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Further modifications are conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the connection between ski boot and ski can be designed as a rope, which rope is wound up onto a spring-loaded drum. It is also possible that the safety strap is locked on a different ski-fixed structural part than the release lever. Also the adjustment of the cylinder can be designed differently. For example, two locking points on the holding rod or on the locking part would be sufficient for this purpose. In place of the used coil spring, it would also be possible to use cup springs or leaf springs.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retaining device adapted for use with a ski having a ski binding mounted thereon releasably securing a ski shoe to the ski, said device comprising:

a resilient T-shaped element having a stem of substantially elliptic cross section and a head which extends substantially parallel to the major axis of said elliptical cross section of said stem, the end of said stem remote from said head being fixedly mounted to a surface of said ski binding;

a safety strap, one end of said safety strap being releasably securable to the leg of a skier; and

a platelike holding part securely attached to the end of said safety strap remote from said one end and having two intersecting slots therein, one said slot being longer than the other said slot and having a shape substantially the same as the shape of said head and a size slightly greater than the size of said head, and the other said slot being slightly shorter in length than the major axis of said elliptical cross section of said stem;

whereby said head can be passed easily through said one slot when aligned therewith to position said stem of said T-shaped element in said intersecting slots, said holding part can be rotated relative to said stem to effect a gripping of said stem by said other slot, and the magnitude of force which must then be applied to said safety strap to effect a deformation of said resilient T-shaped element sufficient to separate said holding part therefrom is controlled by the size of said head and said stem relative to the size of said other slot and by the degree of elasticity of said T-shaped element.

2. The retaining device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient T-shaped element is made of rubber.