NO20151621A1 - System for optional dynamic positioning of a ski binding on a ski - Google Patents

Abstract

System for optional dynamic positioning of a ski tie (2) or parts thereof, on or in a ski during use, wherein the system comprises a motor (3), an energy source for driving that motor (3), a control system adapted to control the motor (3), and a power transmission means (5) which transmits a power from the motor (3) to the ski tie (2) or parts thereof.

Description

System for optional dynamic positioning of a ski binding on a ski

The present invention relates to a system for optional dynamic positioning of a ski binding on a ski during use to improve an athlete's performance and use experience.

From US 8910967 it is known to manually change the position of a cross-country or touring binding in the longitudinal direction by means of a manual device, e.g. a lever or knob. The publication points to the benefits of being able to change the position of a binding on a ski to improve an athlete's performance and user experience. By moving the binding forward in relation to the neutral position, the athlete will notice that the attachment or grip against the surface improves. This is primarily due to the fact that it becomes easier for the athlete to press the ski's lubrication zone down onto the surface. By moving the binding backwards on the ski in relation to the neutral position, the attachment or grip will be worse, but the ski will slide easier and faster. According to US 8910967, the advantages of moving the binding back and forth are achieved by a manually operated lever or knob which, via a gear wheel or other toothed element, causes the binding to be shifted between two or more longitudinal positions on the ski.

US 8910968 suffers from some disadvantages and problems. The athlete who wants to move the binding must come to a complete stop, or at least bend down while moving, to reach and operate the lever or knob. This is a disadvantage during use, where you can lose time and/or stiffen if you lose your rhythm. For the same reasons, it becomes impractical to operate the lever or rotary knob often, even if one wanted to. If the terrain often changes character, e.g. in that there is a hilly trail or terrain, then the optimum would be to change the position of the binding before and or every hill. For these reasons, US 8910968 is best suited for a trail or an area of use where it is not relevant or desirable to adjust the position of the bindings frequently.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a solution which is not affected by the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The present invention is stated in appended claim 1. Further advantageous features and embodiments are stated in the independent claims.

In the following, a non-limiting description of advantageous embodiments is given with reference to the drawings, there

Fig. la-c shows an embodiment of a system according to the present invention,

Fig. 2a-c show another embodiment of a system according to the present invention,

Fig. 3a-b shows a third embodiment of a system according to the present invention,

Fig. 4a-c show possible designs of plates/rails,

Fig. 5a-f show possible designs of rails,

Fig. 6a-i show cross-sections of possible embodiments according to the present invention,

Fig. 7a-b show further possible designs of plates/rails according to the present invention,

Fig. 8a-c show alternative designs,

Fig. 9a-b show alternative designs,

Fig. 10a-b show further alternative embodiments of the present invention,

Fig. lla-e shows a manual embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 12 shows another manual embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 13 shows a third manual embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. la-c shows an embodiment of the present invention comprising an electric and remote-controlled system 1 for changing the position of an athlete on a ski in the longitudinal direction. An electric motor 3 is arranged so that it pushes a binding 2 on a ski forward or backward depending on an electric signal given by an athlete. The motor 3 pushes/pulls a binding 2 and a heel piece 4 by means of a power transmission means 5. The motor 3 and the binding 2 are mounted on a plate 6. The binding 2 and the heel piece 4 are displaceably mounted on the plate 6.

In this document, it is to be understood that a "power transmission device" and a "rail" can include a brace, a rod or similar elements, which can have different shapes, cross-sections, widths and lengths. The power transmission device may comprise various movable mechanisms. Materials can be chosen as required.

As shown in Fig. 2a-c, a rail 5 can be mounted in a longitudinal running direction in or on the plate 6.1 in the embodiment shown, the rail 5 runs before the plate 6, as it e.g. can be inserted from one or the other end of the plate 6 in such a way that the rail 5 can move in the longitudinal direction of the plate while the rail 5 is held securely by the plate in all other directions. An embodiment where the rail can be laid straight down in a groove in the plate 6 is also conceivable. Various designs of the rail or power transmission device are shown in Figures 4a-c, 5a-f, 6a-i, 7a-b, 10a-b and 11a-e. In the embodiments shown in e.g. 4a-c and 6a, c and d, the plate 6 has "undercuts" which grip the rail 5 firmly. Other embodiments are also conceivable, e.g. that the rail 5 runs in an at least partially closed channel, either in the plate 6 or in a ski (e.g. 6e-i, 10a-b). It is understood that the plate 6 can be mounted on the ski either by means of screws, glue or bonding, ref. e.g. 6d and 10a-b. The plate 6 can also be integrated into a ski (eg Fig. 6b and 6f).

Back to fig. 2a shows that the motor 3 can be mounted on the front part of the plate 6 so that the motor 3 is fixed in relation to the plate 6 and the ski. Although the motor 3 is shown mounted in front of the binding 2 and on top of the plate 6, the motor 3 can optionally be mounted behind the binding 2 and/or the heel piece 4, under the binding 2 or the plate 6, under the binding 2 or the plate 6 integrated in the ski or even in a ski boot (not shown). Fig. 2a further shows the rail 5 which is mounted longitudinally in the plate 6.1 or on this rail 5 the binding 2 and the heel piece 4 are mounted. Here, by means of a stud or studs 20 on the rail 5 which can be snapped or otherwise inserted into complementary holes/grooves in the binding 2, possibly the other way around. Fig. lb-c shows the design assembled together, in resp. front and rear position.

The rail 5 may be provided with grooves, pins or notches 7 which are suitable for engaging with a gear (not shown) or equivalent in or from the motor. The grooves or notches 7 can have a different design and location depending on the design and location of the motor 3. Examples of grooves, studs or notches 7 are e.g. shown in fig. 5a-c. The grooves, pins and/or notches 7 can also be arranged on the underside of the rail, so that they engage with a motor which is arranged in the ski on the underside of the rail, ref. fig. 5e-f and 8c. Fig. 3a-b shows an embodiment in which a rail 5 is attached with a pin or equivalent in front of the binding 2. The advantage of this embodiment is that the rail does not need to run under the binding 2 in a plate 6, channel in ski etc.L I in this embodiment, the heel piece 4 moves together with the binding, but the heel piece can also be stuck. Fig. 4a shows a plate 6 which is attached to the ski with screws in screw holes 22. Fig. b and c show a design that can be glued or bonded to the ski. These designs also include pins 20 for attaching the binding 2.

As mentioned, the rail 5 may comprise grooves, studs and/or notches 20 which hold the binding 2. If the rail comprises a long series of notches or grooves, the binding 2

mounted/positioned on the rail 5/plate 6 in the desired position, ref. fig. 7b. Fig. 7b shows in and of itself only several notches or grooves 23 for the heel piece 4, but the same can be arranged for the binding 2, where now only two notches are shown for a fixed position. One can e.g. provide enough notches/grooves so that the binding can be fitted within a length interval of 3 or 5 cm (can be more or less, it is irrelevant in this example). Thus, the binding 2 can be mounted/attached to the ski in the athlete's neutral starting position, after which the motor 3 can move the binding 2 or the athlete back and forth as desired during use. Such an opportunity can be useful if the athlete puts on or loses weight. Different driving conditions can also make it desirable to change the athlete's neutral starting position.

Fig. 7a shows a so-called "hybrid plate". In that plate 6, a conventional binding can be attached without any dynamic system including motor 3, rail 5, etc. The plate 6 includes fixed attachment notches/groove 23. If the athlete wishes to develop into a dynamic system, then a rail can be placed in the groove 24 and a motor 3 is fixed on top of the rail in fastening means 25.1 in which case the binding must be of a displaceable type which does not engage with the fixed fastening notches/grooves 23. The motor 3, the rail 5 and the binding 2 shown in fig. 3a-b would be suitable for retrofitting on such a hybrid plate.

As an alternative to notches/grooves, the binding can also be attached/positioned/connected to the rail 5 using snap fasteners, screws, Velcro, adhesive material, etc., ref. fig. 5a (velcro) and 5b (screws). The rail 5 and a binding may be cast in one piece. In another embodiment, the rail 5, a binding and a motor, possibly also other elements can form one integrated piece, so that it moves in a plate 6 or in the ski.

Fig. 6e-i show various designs where the ski includes a groove or a channel 21 which can house or provide space for a power transmission member 22, 23. The power transmission member 22 shows a worm screw which can be turned. The power transmission member 22 shows a rod as the bond, or part of the bond,

2 is fixed in or on. Here it is fixed using a screw, but other options can also be used. Fig. 10a-b shows a groove or channel 21 which is completely or partially closed. In this embodiment, the motor 3 can either be located in the ski, on top of the ski or in the binding. Fig. 5d also shows a rail 5 which can be pulled back and forth by means of a screw. This embodiment can be an alternative embodiment of those shown in fig. la-c or 6e. Fig. 10a-b shows, as mentioned, an embodiment of the invention where a power transmission member runs in a groove or a channel 21 in the ski. The opening 24 can house the power transmission member and other elements such as motor, control system and/or battery. Fig. 8a and 8c show an alternative way of using the opening. Here, the plate 6 is provided with an open chamber 25 which can be placed in the opening 24 or a similar opening. Fig. 8c shows a motor 3 placed in the chamber 25, as it can pull on a rail that lies above the plate 6. Fig. 8a shows a plate 6 that can be glued/bonded to the ski, as fig. 8c shows a plate 6 which can be seen on the ski. The chamber 25 can also accommodate elements such as a control system and/or battery.

Fig. 8b shows an embodiment of a short plate 6, where the heel piece 4 is separate and fixed.

Fig. 9a shows an embodiment comprising two plates 6, in that a heel piece can be moved with a rail which extends through both plates. Fig. 9b shows standardized fastening means 25 at the front of the plate 6. The advantage of these is that a motor, a battery, a closing plate etc. can all fit in the same fastening means, i.e. they are interchangeable. Fig. lla-e shows a manual embodiment 13 of the invention where the motor is replaced with a manipulatable moving and locking mechanism 26,27. Such a manual execution may be appropriate for practitioners who want a cheaper product or who do not want the hassle of advanced systems. The manipulable moving and locking mechanism 26, 27 fits into the standardized fastening means 25. The moving mechanism can comprise a lever 26 which cooperates with a flexible tab 28 of the rail 5. By tilting the lever back and forth, the rail 5, and thus the binding, can also be moved . Fig. 12 shows an alternative manual embodiment 13 comprising a turning wheel 29 which moves the binding 2 back and forth. The housing 30 fits and stands firmly in the standardized fastening means 25. The turning wheel 29 may comprise gears or cams (not shown) which pull the rail back and forth. The turning wheel 29, the gear(s) and/or the cam(s) are fixed in relation to the ski in the standardized fastening means 25. Fig. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment comprising a longitudinal track 9 and a number of transverse tracks 10 which are arranged in a housing 30. The housing 30 is fixedly mounted in relation to the ski in the standardized fastening means 25. A lever 12 is mounted in connection with the rail 5 so that the lever 12 can be moved from one transverse track to another. The distance between tracks 10 determines the distance between the binding's 2 different positions. An upper center mechanism, screw knob or laterally arranged lever etc. can also be thought of. Fig. 14 shows a locking plate or a locking housing 31. This can be designed so that it fits in the standardized fastening device 25. The grooves or notches 32 are designed so that they engage with the corresponding groove/notch 7 in the rail 5 to thereby lock the binding 2 fixed in one position. This position can in and of itself be changed by removing the plate 31, adjusting the position of the rail 5/binding 2, and then putting the plate 31 back on. Such a simple plate 31 can be an emergency solution or sold as a forward-compatible system that can be expanded with a manual design or a dynamic design.

Such manual designs can also be used as a handy spare part that can be brought with you during use. Should the athlete experience problems with an electric motor, e.g. if it runs out of battery, it is destroyed or runs slowly, the motor 3 can be easily changed and replaced with the manual version in that it has standardized fastening means 25. The standardized fastening means 25 can be used by both manual and dynamic/electrical elements, so that all may be interchangeable.

The positions of the bond 2 mentioned above can be discrete or continuous.

If the system is electric and makes use of electric signals, these can be given or sent from buttons, levers, switches, sensitive zones or similar organs which, for example, can be arranged on a glove or a ski pole. Such bodies can then be said to constitute operating bodies. Other locations and actuation methods are also conceivable. For example, you can have three buttons: "forward/good grip", "neutral/standard", and "backwards/good glide". The system can also be stepless.

In addition, you can have a separate position for attaching the ski boot to the binding/ski. One can e.g. imagine that in addition to a front, middle and rear position, you have a "fourth position" that opens the binding. In this fourth position, the binding will be open and the athlete can put on or release himself from the ski. If the athlete wants to put on the ski, the binding can be locked by moving the binding to the front, middle and back position (of course there can also be several positions). Alternatively, the binding can be electrically locked in the fourth position.

Although an electric motor 3 is described, a pneumatic system, hydraulic system, mechanical system, etc., capable of pushing the binding 2 back and forth between different longitudinal positions can also be used. Such alternative systems may be electrically actuated.

If an electric motor 3 is used, the system must include an energy source 7 in the form of an energy storage element (battery, capacitor, spring/dynamo etc). This or these can be arranged in connection with the motor 3, somewhere else on the binding or the ski, in the shoe or somewhere on the athlete's body. Furthermore, the system may comprise a signal transponder or other communication device/microprocessor which receives a signal, processes this and sends a signal on to the motor 3 which causes it to move the binding forward or backward.

The motor, the manual version or the locked version can be attached to the ski/board in different ways. As they are releasably connected, the advantages mentioned above can be achieved, i.e. the athlete has the opportunity to replace or upgrade sub-elements. This applies not only to the motor, the manual version or the locked version, but also the rail, binding, battery, etc.

As there will be large forces that are transferred from the athlete, via the binding and to the ski, the system can include elements that lock the binding in the selected position after the motor 3 has moved the binding (only shown for the manual system). In that case, the locking element should be of such a nature that it can withstand strong applied forces. Instead of separate locking elements, the locking element can be part of the electric motor 3 or pneumatic system, hydraulic system, mechanical system etc.

In one embodiment, the blocking element can be arranged in connection with the electric motor, e.g. in that a rotating shaft from the motor, possibly via a gear, is locked in the axial direction. The shaft can thus rotate freely, while axial forces that are transferred from the binding to the shaft are absorbed by locking elements. If the shaft from the electric motor transfers rotational forces via a single gear system to another shaft, then the shaft from the electric motor will not be affected by any axial slack or movement that occurs, either due to the required tolerances or wear in the locking element.

One or more sensors, in or in connection with an electric actuator, the motor 3 or pneumatic system, hydraulic system, mechanical system etc. can possibly sense and send a signal back to the transponder/microprocessor with notification of the position and condition of the binding.

It is understood that the system according to the electrical version of the present invention should in most cases be sealed or protected from water ingress. Penetration of snow, ice and condensation can also pose a problem that the system can or should be protected against. To mitigate condensation problems, heating elements can be arranged inside the fully or partially sealed rooms, e.g. in the form of resistance/heating wires that emit enough heat for the condensation to evaporate and seep out of the system. One or more of the elements in systems, e.g. the biased spring(s) may themselves constitute such resistance/heating wires. Such a drying process can be initiated automatically or manually in connection with charging the power source, i.e. preferably a battery. Alternatively, condensation problems can be mitigated by arranging suitable ventilation openings or similar. These can be arranged so that condensation escapes while snow and water do not enter.

An advantageous aspect of the present invention is that all the elements comprising the electric motor, binding, plate/interface, transmission element, the fastening element on the shoe/sole etc. are made independent of each other, i.e. that each element can be improved and replaced individually without other elements necessarily is affected or must be changed. Thus, each element can also be produced as "off-the-shelf" that can be used for different standards, systems and areas of use (Professional, performance, touring, back-country, etc.). The plate itself can be replaceable. Different types of bindings can be designed to fit the plate. The transmission member can fit different types of bindings at one end, while at the same time it fits different types of electric motors at the other end.

In the above-mentioned examples and embodiments, a binding system is described which is optionally adjusted by the athlete, i.e. the athlete himself decides which position the binding should have on the ski by sending a signal to the binding system, for example by pressing buttons or similar on the glove or the ski pole. One can also imagine a fully or semi-automatic system where various sensors in the binding system acquire relevant information, such as speed, angles, acceleration, force application, etc., to calculate what is the optimal position for the binding, after which the movement of the binding takes place automatically . Such a system can be overridden by manual buttons if the athlete is not satisfied with the binding's position.

In the examples above, it is shown that bond 2 is moved in its entirety. Individual elements in the bond, e.g. flexor(s), gripping mechanism or other parts, can also be moved independently of each other or some elements, but not all. Then one part of the binding will remain stationary while other parts are moved.

Default mode can be said to be a neutral setting that constitutes a compromise between all influenceable positions and settings. In the first instance, the default mode can be thought of as corresponding to the positions and postures that a conventional ski/binding/shoe would take/have without the possibility of setting. The system can go into default mode when the battery level is low, ski poles break, the control unit(s) stop working, one or more functions or parts of the system stop working as intended due to electrical, mechanical, control, temperature, humidity or other relevant conditions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the default mode can be selected in advance, so that certain characteristics are emphasized when or if a battery level is low, ski poles are broken, the control unit(s) stop working, etc.

If the controls are located on the ski poles, you can choose to have a redundant system where both poles or gloves include controls. The controls on both ski poles will then be able to control the system. If one of the rods breaks, the other rod with controls will control the system. Likewise, should something happen to one of the gloves, the system will still be operable. If both poles should break, possibly both gloves are destroyed or lost, the system goes into default mode, either factory-defined or predefined by the athlete or service crew, or the system can be controlled externally by the service crew or trainer.

As an alternative to changing the position of a binding on a ski, one or more of the elements in the system described above can also be used to change the properties of the ski in such a way that the net effect is equal or equivalent. The purpose of changing the binding position is to utilize changes in the ski's span to achieve a gear effect. Such a gear effect can also be achieved by changing the ski's properties directly. This can be achieved by a motor, a power transmission means, a power source and a control system being used to regulate the stiffness of all or parts of the ski, move the ski's span and/or grease pocket, change the shape of the grease pocket. The ski's properties can also be changed in other ways, e.g. in that a voltage or a current changes the material properties (stiffness/surface/spring constant etc.) of the ski.

Claims (18)

1. System for optional dynamic positioning of a ski binding (2) or parts thereof, on or in a ski during use, characterized in that the system comprises a motor (3), an energy source for driving that motor (3), a control system designed to control the motor (3), as well as a power transmission means (5) which transfers a force from the motor (3) to the ski binding ( 2) or parts thereof. 2. System according to claim 1, where the power transmission means (5) is a rail. 3. System according to claim 1, where the force transmission means (5) transmits a force selected from the group comprising: longitudinal, transverse, rotating, twisting, tilting, over center, bearing. 4. System according to claim 1, where the power transmission means (5) is one or more of the group comprising: a gear wheel, a wire, a chain, a rack, a worm screw, a worm drive, a piston. 5. System according to claim 1, where the power transmission member (5) is arranged in a groove or a channel on or in the ski. 6. System according to claim 1, where the power transmission member (5) is arranged in a groove or channel on or in a plate (6). 7. System according to claim 1, comprising several power transmission means (5). 8. System according to claim 1, where all or parts of the system are arranged in a pocket or a chamber in the ski. 9. System according to claim 1, where one or more elements are integrated or part of each other. 10. System according to claim 1, where the motor (3) is electric. 11. System according to claim 1, where the motor (3), the energy source and the control system is a human. 12. System according to claim 1, where the motor (3) is a pneumatic system. 13. System according to claim 1, where the motor (3) is arranged to effect a movement of the ski binding forward or backward between different longitudinal positions on or in the ski. 14. System according to claim 1, where the motor (3) is arranged to effect a movement of one or more parts of the ski binding between different positions. 15. System according to claim 1, where the movement of one or more parts results in a movement of a ski boot's position on skis when the ski boot is attached to the ski binding. 16. System according to claim 1, where the binding is arranged to move steplessly between positions. 17. System according to claim 1, where the binding is arranged to move between discrete positions. 18. System according to claim 8, wherein the motor (3) is selected from the group comprising: step motor, linear motor, screw motor, telescopic motor, gear motor, magnet/solenoid switch.