EP0914847B1 - Ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot (5) is restrained on the ski by jaws (4) pivoting against a spring system (6,9,11,12) whose longitudinal axis (ZZ') is contained in a longitudinal and vertical plane (P). The jaws are supported on two spindles (XX',YY') located either side the longitudinal plane. These spindles enable the jaw to pivot outwards (EX) or inwards (IN) laterally from its central position. The orthogonal projection of one of the spindles on a transverse plane (T) orthogonal to the longitudinal plane is different to the plane of symmetry relative to the longitudinal plane of the projection on the transverse and orthogonal plane of the other support spindle.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for retaining a ski boot on a sliding board such as a ski.

The invention relates more particularly to an improvement for device intended to retain on a ski in a triggerable way, the front of the user's shoe.

In general, the shoe of a skier is retained on the ski so triggered by its front end thanks to a front fixing called commonly "stop", and by its rear end, and in particular its heel, thanks to a rear attachment commonly known as a "heel piece".

In the event of significant efforts, the release of the ski boot endangering the skier's leg or joints is done by release either from the front or the heel of the shoe, or from both to the time. For this purpose, the front stop comprises, for example, a jaw pivoting at least laterally, while the heel piece comprises usually a pivotally mounted jaw for pivoting upwards around a transverse axis, the jaw of the stopper and that of the each heel being acted upon by a trigger spring whose compression is adjustable to provide the skier with an effort value adapted, for the release of his shoe.

We already know many security fasteners before designed to hold the front of a boot on a ski to allow the skier, on the one hand, the practice of skiing and, on the other hand, the release of his shoe when it appears a dangerous request for the leg. Such fasteners include a pivoting jaw biased in centered position of retention by an elastic system such as a spring.

In the past, manufacturers have strived to develop and make front bindings that released the front of the shoe from as symmetrical as possible and the structure of the jaw, its geometry and its materials as well as its energization system were designed for this purpose. Thus, the fixation was symmetrical with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane of general symmetry of the ski and the front of the shoe was just as symmetrical by its geometry and its materials.

We can note, by way of example, the fixation described and disclosed in the French patent published under the number 2 334 382. But we glimpse over time that the skier's leg, especially at the level knee, could withstand higher stresses for a twist outward only for an inward twist. The builders have so imagined front fasteners with asymmetrical lateral release. We therefore know a number of these devices, such as example, those disclosed by French patents 1,503,847, 1,503,848, 1 503 849, 2 334 382, 2 722 372, 2 722 373, 2 722 374, and those more recently published under the numbers 2 743 727 and 2 743 728. We note that these prior devices present a great complexity of construction, which of course involves manufacturing difficulties with a particularly high cost. It also results in bad operational reliability and the possibility of premature aging of the product.

The present invention therefore intends to resolve the drawbacks previous asymmetrical fixations by proposing a new fastening whose construction is particularly simple and reliable. So, the binding of the invention more particularly adapted to retain triggerable way the front end of the skier's shoe includes a retaining jaw stressed against two lateral supports arranged on either side of the plane of symmetry, said jaw being able to tilt laterally on one or other of its supports against the action of a elastic system such as a spring, while one of the axes is more distant from the longitudinal plane of symmetry than the other.

Thus, according to the invention, the device for retaining a shoe with a ski comprising a movable jaw pivoting against the action of an elastic system whose longitudinal axis is contained in a plane longitudinal and vertical, of the type whose jaw is stressed by said elastic system supported on two support and tilt axes, each of said axes being disposed on either side of the longitudinal plane and vertical, to allow said jaw to pivot by pivoting lateral from its position centered outward around the first axis and inversely inwards around the second axis, is characterized in that that the orthogonal projection of one of the support and tilt axes on a transverse plane orthogonal to the longitudinal and vertical plane of the elastic system is different from symmetrical with respect to the plane longitudinal and vertical projection on the transverse plane and orthogonal to the other support and tilt axis.

The external pivoting of the shoe will be understood to mean displacement of the skier's foot by rotation tending to distance the end of the shoe concerned from the shoe of the crotch.

According to one of the construction methods, the two axes of support and tilt are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal plane and vertical, so that the longitudinal planes containing the two axes support and tilting are parallel to the longitudinal plane and vertical and not symmetrical with respect to this same plane.

According to another embodiment, the two axes of support and tilting are concurrent with the longitudinal and vertical plane of so that the two inclined longitudinal planes containing the two support and tilt axes form a dihedral and are concurrent in a straight line not contained in the longitudinal and vertical plane.

According to a preferred arrangement, the first axis is offset towards the outside, but it could be otherwise like for example shifted towards the inside.

According to additional characteristics, the elastic system reminder to press the jaw against the support piece and more particularly supported on the two tilting axes is constituted by a tie joint articulated on the jaw by one of its ends around an axis, while its other end includes a support plug for the front end of a compression spring whose end rear is supported on the front support face of the support piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the jaw is made up two half-jaws forming two lateral retaining wings, independent, connected to the center in the longitudinal plane by the axis to which is retained the tie, while, according to a variant, the jaw is monobloc.

Add that each of the pivot axes is formed by a projecting profile cooperating with a corresponding hollow profile, while that, according to the preferred embodiment, the projecting profile is produced on the rear part of the support piece and the corresponding hollow profile is made on the front part of the jaw. According to an alternative embodiment, the hollow profile is produced on the rear part of the support piece, and the corresponding projecting profile is produced on the front part of the jaw.

According to an additional characteristic, the support piece is extended forward to form the body of the binding which is attached skiing and which includes an axial hole intended to receive the spring compression and end plug.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge of the description which will follow with regard to the appended drawings which are not given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a fixation of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view along AA of FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing in perspective the position of the support and tilt axes.

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating so schematically the attachment with his body and his jaw.

Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4.

Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to Figure 4 showing two other variant embodiments.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a schematic top view showing a variant.

The front binding according to the invention bearing the general reference (1) of longitudinal plane of general symmetry (P) comprises a part support (2) fixed on the ski (3), a retaining member (4) for the boot (5), said retaining member (4) being urged to bear against the workpiece support (2) thanks to an elastic system (6).

The retaining member (4) forming a jaw fitting the front of the shoe is pivotally disposed on the support piece (2) around the two axes, a first axis (XX '), and a second axis (YY'), arranged on either side of the plane of symmetry (P). More specifically, said jaw is in tilting support on each of these axes to be able to tilt by lateral pivoting (R1) from its position centered towards the outside (EX) by pivoting around the first axis (XX '), and vice versa by pivoting (R2), inward (IN) around the second axis (YY ').

The elastic return system (6) intended to press the jaw against the support piece (2) and more particularly on the two tilt axes (XX'-YY ') consists of a tie rod (9) articulated on the jaw (4) by one of its ends around an axis (10), while that its other end comprises a support plug (11) for the front end (120) of a compression spring (12) whose rear end (121) is supported on the front bearing face (13) of the support piece (2). Add that the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) of general symmetry of the fixation is such, according to this embodiment, that contains the elastic system, i.e. the axis (ZZ ') of the tie rod (9) and of the spring (12) is in this longitudinal and vertical plane (P). So the plan longitudinal and vertical of general symmetry (P) of the attachment is the plane longitudinal and vertical containing the axis of the tie rod. We will see later that could be otherwise.

According to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the jaw (4) consists of two half-jaws (4a, 4b) forming two independent lateral retaining wings connected to the center in the longitudinal plane (P) by the axis (10) to which the tie rod (9) is retained. Note that the inner part (40) of the jaw intended to receive the shoe advantageously comprises a set of retaining rollers (14a-14b, 15a-15b), namely, two front retaining rollers (14a, 14b) and two lateral retaining rollers (15a, 15b), the boot being, moreover, retained upward by a horizontal retaining rim (16a, 16b).

Each of the pivot axes (XX'-YY ') is formed by a profile projecting (7a, 7b), extending upward (HA) formed on the support piece (2) cooperating with a corresponding hollow profile (8a, 8b) produced on the rear part of the jaw (4), while said support piece is advantageously extended forward (AV) to form the body (17) of the binding which is fixed to the ski. Furthermore, said body (17) includes an axial hole (18) for receiving the compression spring (12) and the end plug (11).

According to the invention, one of the pivot axes is offset (d) towards the outside (EX) at least laterally with respect to the plane of symmetry general (P) so that the distance (D1) between the first axis (XX ') and the plane (P) is different from the distance (D2) between the second axis (YY ') and said plane (P). The front attachment will advantageously be such that the first axis (XX ') is located outwards. Namely, that it is for a twist external of the leg that the jaw swings around the first axis (XX ').

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, as is also the case with Figure 8, the two tilt axes (XX ') and (YY') extend vertically upward and parallel to each other as well as parallel to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P).

The invention is, of course, not limited to the fact that the two axes of tilting are vertical and parallel. Indeed they could be converging, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. According to this variant, the two support and tilt axes (XX'-YY ') extend upwards to be inclined towards the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) and converge at a point of convergence (A). As for the axes parallels of the previous embodiment, the first axis (XX ') is offset outwards (EX) to be distant from the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) by displacement, lateral parallel to itself.

It will be noted in the two embodiments described above that the two support and tilt axes have a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P1) different from the longitudinal plane (P) of general symmetry of the fixing passing through the tie rod (9). Thus, the plane (P1) of symmetry of two support and tilt axes (XX'-YY ') is distinct and parallel to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P), to be at least laterally offset and advantageously outwards (EX).

We will also add that in the two previous embodiments described, the two support and tilt axes (XX'-YY ') are contained in the same transverse plane (T), but it could, of course, be other. Indeed, the two axes of support and tilting (XX'-YY ') could be in two different transverse planes, respectively (T1) and (T2), as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. We will understand that in the embodiment of Figure 9, the two axes of support and tilting (XX'-YY ') are not strictly speaking convergent, but are inclined to be at least concurrent with the plane longitudinal and vertical (P). In this variant, the two planes inclined longitudinal (Q1-Q2) containing the two support axes and tilt (XX'-YY ') form a dihedral and are concurrent in a straight (M) not contained in the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) such that this is illustrated in Figure 10.

In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, it goes without saying that the longitudinal planes (Q1, Q2) containing the two support axes and tilt (XX'-YY ') are parallel to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) and not symmetrical with respect to this same plane.

It goes without saying that it would not go beyond the scope of the invention if the transverse plane containing one of the axes or each of the transverse planes containing the two axes was not perpendicular to the horizontal plane (H).

We have therefore seen that, according to the invention, the orthogonal projection (L1) of one of the support and tilt axes (XX 'or YY') on a plane transverse (T) orthogonal to the general plane of symmetry (P) is different of the symmetric (L3) with respect to the plane (P) of the projection (L2) on the plane (T) of the other support and tilt axis (YY 'or XX').

It will be understood that, thanks to a determined force (F) applied by pulling it on the jaw (4), tilting (R1) outwards (EX) will be made by an effort (C1) applied by the shoe to the jaw, greater than the force (C2) that the shoe will have to apply on the jaw for tilting (R2) inwards.

According to the embodiment described above, it is the first axis (XX ') disposed on the outer side (EX) of the ski which is offset outwards, but it goes without saying that we would not go outside the framework of invention if it were otherwise. Indeed, it could just as easily be the second axis (YY ') disposed on the interior side (IN) of the ski, which would shifted inward (IN) to be further from the plane (P) than it is the first axis (XX ').

It goes without saying also that the jaw (4) could be in one piece and not be made up of two independent half-jaws.

We saw previously that the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) was both the longitudinal and vertical plane of general symmetry of the binding (1) and ski (3) and it could be otherwise like that is illustrated in the variant of Figure II. According to this variant, the two axes support and tilting (XX'-YY ') are at equal distance (D) from the plane (P ') of general symmetry of the binding (1) and of the ski (3). However, the vertical and longitudinal plane (P) passing through the tie rod (9) is offset laterally (d) inward to create leverage different (D1, D2).

Claims (11)

1. Device for holding a boot (5) on a ski (3), comprising a jaw (4) able to move pivotally counter to the action of an elastic system (6, 9, 11, 12) whose longitudinal axis (ZZ') is contained in a longitudinal and vertical plane (P), of the type where the jaw is acted on by the said elastic system in abutment on two abutment and tilting axes (XX', YY') of an abutment piece (2), each of the said axes being disposed on each side of the longitudinal and vertical plane (P), to enable the said jaw to tilt by lateral pivoting from its centred position towards the outside (EX) about the first axis (XX') and conversely towards the inside (IN) about the second axis (YY'), the elastic system consisting of a tie rod (9) articulated on the jaw (4) by one of its ends about a pin (10), whilst its other end comprises a support plug (11) for the front end (120) of a compression spring (12) whose rear end (121) is in abutment with the front abutment face (13) of the abutment piece (2), characterised in that the orthogonal projection (L1) of one of the abutment and tilting axes (XX' or YY') onto a transverse plane (T) orthogonal to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) of the elastic system is different from the symmetrical element (L3), with respect to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P), of the projection (L2) of the other abutment and tilting axis (YY' or XX') onto the transverse and orthogonal plane (T).
2. Holding device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the two abutment and tilting axes (XX', YY') are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P), so that the longitudinal planes (Q1, Q2) containing the two abutment and tilting axes (XX'-YY') are parallel to the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) and non-symmetrical with respect to this same plane.
3. Holding device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the two abutment and tilting axes (XX', YY') are convegent with the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) so that the two inclined longitudinal planes (Q1-Q2) containing the two abutment and tilting axes (XX'-YY') form a dihedron and are convergent in a straight line (M) not contained in the longitudinal and vertical plane (P).
4. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first axis (XX') is offset (d) towards the outside (EX).
5. Holding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the second axis (YY') is offset towards the inside (IN).
6. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the jaw (4) consists of two half-jaws (4a, 4b) forming two independent lateral holding wings, connected at the centre in the longitudinal and vertical plane (P) by the pin (10) on which the tie rod (9) is held.
7. Holding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the jaw (4) is in a single piece.
8. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the pivot axes (XX'-YY') is formed by a projecting profile (7a, 7b) cooperating with a corresponding hollow profile (8a, 8b).
9. Holding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the projecting profile (7a, 7b) is produced on the rear part of the abutment piece (2), whilst the corresponding hollow profile (8a, 8b) is produced on the front part of the jaw (4).
10. Holding device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the hollow profile (8a, 8b) is produced on the rear part of the abutment piece (2), whilst the corresponding projecting profile (7a, 7b) is produced on the front part of the jaw (4).
11. Holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the abutment piece is extended towards the front (AV) in order to constitute the body (17) of the fixing which is fixed to the ski and which comprises an axial hole (18) intended to receive the compression spring (12) and the end plug (11).

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