EP2351603B1 - Ski binding with climbing aid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a ski binding with a climbing aid, in particular the arrangement of the climbing aid.

Climbing aids facilitate the ascent with strapped ski. The climbing aid is pivotally arranged in the region of the heel unit of the binding, so that it can be pivoted from an open position to a climbing position in which it supports the skier or ski tourer in the heel area. Touring bindings, such as those from the DE 80 14 840 U1 and DE 31 31 384 C2 are known, have within the heel unit on the heel end of the ski boot holding heel holder, which is arranged on a pivoting touring plate. To ride off the tour plate and thus the heel holder is locked to the ski. To release the lock is released so that the touring plate with the heel holder can swing away from the ski. The climbing aid is arranged under the toe plate or on the heel holder and thus supports the ski boot via the heel holder or the toe plate in the lowered position on the ski. At one of the WO 2009/105866 A1 Known binding eliminates the touring plate, instead forms the ski boot with a toe unit of the binding directly a swivel joint for pivoting the ski boot. The heel area of the ski boot is released from the heel holder for walking, as it remains on the ski. In the area of the heel holder, a climbing aid is provided, which can be pivoted from an inactive position located behind the heel holder around the heel holder into a climbing position located in front of the heel holder. For different climbing positions several such climbing aids are provided. To walk, the heel holder is released by operating an opening member from the heel end of the ski boot and moved away from the ski boot to the rear, so that the heel free ski boot can pivot about a pivot axis located in the toe area of the ski. The opening organ is located behind the heel holder and below the climbing aid when it assumes its inactive position.

The WO 2009/153615 A1 relates to a heel holder for a combined downhill and touring ski binding, with a toe which supports the ski boot about an axis transverse to the skiing direction and a buttock with a sole holder and an opening lever for releasing the sole holder. The sole holder can in the dissolved state a first climbing aid for the tour operator in the flat terrain. The opening lever can form a second climbing aid for steeper terrain by being pivoted in the skiing direction until it rests on the sole holder or the first climbing aid. Sole holder and opening lever are permanently coupled together. The EP 0 199 098 A2 relates to a ski binding for a combined downhill touring ski with a toe which supports the ski boot about an axis transverse to the ski direction and with a buttock which can be pivoted about a projecting from the ski surface bolt to release a heel of a ski boot. The buttocks of the binding has several climbing aids, which can support the ski boot depending on the rotational position of the buttocks on the ski. The EP 0 152 629 A2 relates to a ski binding for a combined downhill and touring ski with a toe shoe which supports the ski boot about an axis transverse to the ski direction, and a buttock with a sole holder which holds the heel of a ski boot on a carriage movable transversely to the skiing direction. The sole holder can be pivoted away from the ski boot contrary to the skiing direction, whereby the carriage is raised perpendicular to the ski surface and forms a climbing aid for the free heel of the ski boot. The EP 2 281 614 A1 concerns a combined downhill and touring walk. For touring, the ski boot can take up three angular positions relative to the ski by means of climbing aids. The first position, for walking in a shallow environment, and the second position, for walking in slightly uphill terrain, are formed by a holding element which depresses the heel of the ski boot for the downhill on the ski. The third position, for walking in steep terrain, is adjusted by pivoting a closure element for the holding element in the skiing direction. Further ski bindings with climbing aids for touring show the IT TO0001360160, the WO 2009 / 105866A1 and the EP 0 754 079 B1 ,

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, comfortable and safe to use ski binding in a simple construction and with low weight.

The invention relates to a binding for a ski, which has a toe unit for holding a toe-side end of a ski boot, a heel unit with a heel holder for holding a heel-side end of the ski boot and a climbing aid arranged in the region of the heel unit. The toe unit is adapted to pivot the ski boot in a state held by the toe unit about a pivot axis extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the binding and at least substantially parallel to an underside of the binding so as to pivot the heel end of the ski boot away from the ski , The longitudinal axis of the binding coincides in the mounted state of the binding with a longitudinal axis of the ski. The underside of the binding in the mounted state faces an upper side of the ski. In a preferred embodiment, the toe unit is adapted to form with the ski boot a pivoting of the heel area enabling joint, suitably a hinge. The binding may comprise a pivoting touring plate, as mentioned in the prior art, but more preferably the heel holder is not swung down from the ski in the mounted state, but remains on the ski. The absence of a touring plate reduces the weight of the binding.

The heel unit comprises a bearing structure, the heel holder reciprocable relative to the bearing structure between a closed position and a release position, which can hold or hold the ski boot in the closed position in a heel retaining engagement, and a relative to the bearing structure movable, by the skier or touring operator operable and in a binding opening position with the heel holder coupled opening member. The coupling of the opening member and heel holder is formed so that the heel holder is movable from the closed position to the release position by actuating the opening member located in the binding opening position. The heel holder is preferably acted upon by a spring force of at least one closing spring, so that it can be moved only against the spring force from the closed position in the direction of the release position and preferably only against the spring force from the release position in the direction of the closed position.

The climbing aid arranged in the region of the heel unit can be adjusted into a plurality of different climbing positions when the ski boot is swiveled away, in order to support the swung-down ski boot in the pivoting direction on the heel unit facing the heel unit. In preferred embodiments, the climbing aid is pivotally mounted, expediently in a rotary joint. In principle, however, the pivoting mobility can also be achieved differently, for example by means of a curved joint, and quite fundamentally, the adjustability of the climbing aid may include, for example, a translational mobility or in a translational mobility, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the ski exist. In the case of the preferred pivoting mobility, a pivot axis of the climbing aid preferably has transversely to a longitudinal axis and at least substantially parallel to an underside of the binding.

According to the invention, the opening member in double function simultaneously forms the climbing aid. The provision of a climbing aid by the opening organ, or in other words, the use of the opening organ as a climbing aid, reduces the weight of the bond and facilitates the operation of the climbing aid. The user, for example, a tour rider or free-rider, does not have to cumbersome after opening the binding and also serve the poorly attainable in many bindings climbing aid, which is often associated with considerable inconvenience, but only known from the basic function of the binding ago, from home from opening the binding serving opening organ. It is also excluded that the climbing aid obstructs the operation of the opening member or the opening member the operation of the climbing aid.

The opening member may be fixedly connected to the heel holder or molded in one piece. Such a combination of heel holder and opening member as a unit, but without climbing support, for example, in the filed on September 30, 2009 German patent application DE 10 2009 043 802 the applicant described in this regard. The unit containing the heel holder and the opening member can be moved by actuating the opening member, for example, from the closed position on the release position of the heel holder in the climbing position, in which in the closed position of the heel holder the ski boot holding down structure of the unit Heel holder and opening member, an optional tread spur this unit or attached to the unit or molded other support structure supports the swung-off ski boot in the heel area.

In preferred embodiments, however, the opening member is adjustable relative to the heel holder from the binding opening position in the at least one climbing position. The opening member is further preferably arranged so that it is supported on the heel holder in the opposite direction, ie in the direction of movement, which the heel holder relative to the bearing structure from the closed position to the release position, so that the heel holder and opening member in this direction of mobility Heel holders work together like a unity. The opening member takes the heel holder up to its release position. Preferably, the opening member is supported directly on a stop of the heel holder. In the direction of the climbing position, in advantageous embodiments, the relative adjustability of the opening member which can be used as a climbing aid in the context of this adjustability exists. The binding opening position is understood as the position of the opening member relative to the heel holder and is the one in which the opening member is supported on the heel holder when it moves in the direction of the release position.

In preferred embodiments, in which the opening member is adjustable relative to the heel holder from the binding opening position to the climbing position, a releasable coupling couples the opening member with the heel holder when the opening member is in the binding opening position, so that by operating the opening member of the heel holder from the closed position can be moved to the release position. The coupling can be formed by the mentioned support of the opening member on the heel holder. Preferably, the opening member is supported as said directly on the heel holder. A particularly simple and rigid coupling can be achieved by a simple pressure contact, in which the opening member is supported on the heel holder, so that a force exerted on the opening member in said direction compressive force is transmitted in this pressure contact directly on the heel holder to this in the release position move. Basically, however, the coupling can also be indirect over a single or several Be intermediate member (s). After releasing the coupling, the opening member can be moved relative to the heel holder in the climbing position.
Forms the direct or indirect pressure contact alone the coupling, this coupling can be solved simply by exercising a force acting on the opening organ, directed away from the heel counter stop force. However, more preferably, the coupling comprises a coupling engagement, advantageously directly the heel holder and immediately the opening member, which fixes the opening member also in the direction of the rising position on the heel holder. The fixation is as I said solvable, by hand or for example by an operation by means of the ski pole.

In first embodiments, the coupling comprises a releasable latching engagement, which is formed by a coupling member of the opening member and a coupling counterpart of the heel holder, and which automatically releases under the action of a force exerted on the opening member in the binding opening position in the direction of the rising position. In second embodiments, the coupling comprises a coupling member disposed on the opening member and a coupling mating member disposed on the heel holder which are in releasable coupling engagement with each other as long as the opening member assumes the binding opening position relative to the heel holder. The coupling member or the coupling counterpart is or are movably arranged in the second embodiments and can or can only be moved out of the coupling engagement by appropriate actuation. The word "or" is here and always understood otherwise by the invention in the usual logical sense of an "inclusive or", so includes both the meaning of "either .... or" and the meaning of "and", as far as from the respective concrete context can not exclusively give only one of these two meanings. Relative to the mobility of coupling and coupling counterpart this means that in a first variant only the coupling member on the opening member, in a second variant only the coupling counterpart on the heel holder and in a third variant, the coupling member on the opening member and the coupling counterpart on the heel holder movable and to release of the coupling engagement is operable or are. Of these three variants, the first and the second are preferred over the third variant and especially the first variant.

The coupling engagement advantageously includes a positive connection in the first and in the second embodiments. It may be formed purely positive fit in the second embodiments, so that an actuation of the coupling member or the coupling counterpart is required not only for releasing the coupling of opening member and heel holder or are, but also for establishing the coupling engagement when switching from walking to shutdown , More preferably, the coupling member and the coupling counterpart are shaped such that the coupling engagement automatically occurs when the pressure contact of the opening member and the heel holder is established, for example as a locking engagement. However, in the second embodiment, the latching engagement is not reversibly releasable, but actuation of the coupling or coupling counterpart requires actuation, which movement is not parallel to movement of the opening member into and out of the binding open position.

In embodiments in which the heel unit comprises a tread spur, by the actuation of the heel holder from the release position is movable into the closed position, the tread spur fixed, preferably immovable, connected to the heel holder or the opening member, preferably formed in one piece. In embodiments with an opening member that is adjustable relative to the heel holder, the tread spur is firmly connected to the heel holder. In alternative embodiments, with also adjustable relative to the heel holder opening member, however, he is firmly connected to the opening member. The tread spur is arranged and shaped to automatically exert pressure on the tread spur in the direction of the ski as it enters the binding with the heel side end of the ski boot, thereby moving the heel retainer from the release position to the closed position and closing the binding. If the opening member in a third function also forms the tread spur, the second embodiment of the coupling is preferred for said coupling of opening member and heel holder, which can not be easily solved by a force exerted on this in the adjustment of the opening member. If the tread spur is not an integral part of the opening member, but the heel holder, a reversible locking engagement is preferred for the coupling, since in such embodiments, the opening member does not absorb the forces required for closing the bond, as they act on the tread spur, and in the coupling engagement must transfer to the heel holder.

The opening member may in particular be arranged pivotably, pivotally relative to the bearing structure or relative to the heel holder. Preferably, the opening member is both pivotable relative to the heel holder and relative to the bearing structure, wherein the pivoting movement can be realized in particular with respect to the same pivot axis and in the same hinge.

The opening member may be arranged on the heel holder and movably supported by the latter from the binding opening position into the rising position. More preferably, however, the opening member is not first supported by the heel holder on the bearing structure, but is movably mounted by means of a separate joint on the bearing structure, preferably directly from the bearing structure.

The mobility of the heel holder relative to the bearing structure is preferably a pivoting mobility, so that the heel holder is pivotable relative to the bearing structure about a pivot axis between the closed position and the release position back and forth. Heel holder and bearing structure in such embodiments preferably together form a hinge with the pivot axis as a hinge axis. In the case of the preferred pivoting mobility, a pivot axis of the heel holder preferably has transversely to a longitudinal axis of the binding and at least substantially parallel to an underside of the binding.

If the heel holder and the opening member are each pivotable, it is further preferred if a pivot axis of the heel holder and a pivot axis of the opening member coincide. A particularly simple, yet stable heel unit with low weight results when the same joint element, preferably a hinge axis or shaft, a joint element of a first pivot joint and a hinge element of a second pivot, wherein in the first pivot of the heel holder relative to the bearing structure and in the second Swivel the opening member is pivotable relative to the heel holder or the bearing structure.

The opening member is arranged to be selectively in
each one of several different climbing positions can be adjusted. If a friction brake is provided for the plurality of riser positions for holding the opening member in the respective rising position, the opening member can be fixed in any position of its adjustability. In preferred embodiments, however, the different climbing positions are predetermined spaced from each other on the adjustment path of the opening member. The climbing positions can each be predetermined as a latching position, wherein the opening member in the different climbing positions in each case in particular with the heel holder or the bearing structure can enter into a releasable latching engagement. In a likewise preferred embodiment, the opening member is in the single or in one of several different climbing positions on an upper side of the ski or a mounting structure of the heel unit or the heel holder. A fixation by, for example, a locking engagement is not required for the resting opening member. Nevertheless, a latching intervention can also be provided for this purpose.

In preferred embodiments, the binding comprises a mounting structure of the type mentioned, regardless of whether or not such a mounting structure for the opening member forms a support. The mounting structure is used to attach the heel unit on the ski. The mounting structure can store the heel holder adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the ski or even be adjustably mounted by a further mounting structure, for example, to adapt the binding to different ski boot sizes. Although the mounting structure basically can directly form the bearing structure, it is preferred if the two structures are separate structures from each other and the mounting structure supports the bearing structure and thus together the heel holder axially adjustable.

In particular, in embodiments in which the mentioned tread spur is an integral part of the heel holder such that rising to the tread spur causes movement of the heel retainer into the closed position and thus closing of the binding, it may be advantageous for the heel retainer to walk out an axially forward position can be adjusted to the rear to move the heel holder off the ski boot and keep the ski boot accordingly from the heel holder. This may be particularly advantageous to the heel area of the ski boot while walking up to the top of the ski or mentioned To lower assembly structure, as is advantageous, for example, for walking on flat pieces without significant slope.

The invention relates to the binding in the ski-mounted state. It affects the bond but also as such, including the not yet assembled binding. As far as directions of movement, positions and the like are described with reference to the ski, the respective features also apply to the binding as such, wherein the binding components such as toe unit and heel unit are to be considered as mounted. The invention relates in particular to touring bindings and bindings for free-ride skis, is limited to use with such skis and, in principle, not for use in combination with skis, but also in snow skis of other types of advantage, as far as such skis or ski-like Device gone and in particular to be ascended.

Advantageous features are also described in the subclaims and their combinations.

Figur 1

eine Ferseneinheit einer erfindungsgemäßen Bindung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels,

Figur 2

die Ferseneinheit im Längsschnitt A-A der Figur 1,

Figur 3

die Ferseneinheit im Längsschnitt B-B der Figur 1,

Figur 4

die Ferseneinheit des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels zerlegt in einzelne Komponenten,

Figur 5

die Ferseneinheit des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in einer perspektivischen Sicht,

Figur 6

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit der Ferseneinheit in einem Schließzustand,

Figur 7

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit der Ferseneinheit in einem Freigabezustand und einer gesicherten axial vorderen Position,

Figur 8

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit im Freigabezustand befindlicher und für eine axiale Verstellung entsicherter Ferseneinheit,

Figur 9

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit im Freigabezustand befindlicher Ferseneinheit in einer gesicherten axial hinteren Position,

Figur 10

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit abschwenkbarem Skischuh,

Figur 11

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit abgeschwenktem Skischuh und in einer ersten Steigposition befindlichem Öffnungsorgan,

Figur 12

die Bindung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels mit abgeschwenktem Skischuh und in einer zweiten Steigposition befindlichem Öffnungsorgan,

Figur 13

eine Bindung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit einer im Schließzustand befindlichen Ferseneinheit,

Figur 14

die Bindung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit im Freigabezustand befindlicher Ferseneinheit,

Figur 15

die Bindung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit im Freigabezustand befindlicher Ferseneinheit und in inaktiver Position befindlichem Öffnungsorgan,

Figur 16

die Bindung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit abgeschwenktem Skischuh und in einer ersten Steigposition befindlichem Öffnungsorgan und

Figur 17

die Bindung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit abgeschwenktem Skischuh und in einer zweiten Steigposition befindlichem Öffnungsorgan.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to figures. The features disclosed in the exemplary embodiments advantageously continue to form the subject-matter of the claims individually and in each combination of features. Show it:

FIG. 1

a heel unit of a binding according to the invention of a first embodiment,

FIG. 2

the heel unit in longitudinal section AA of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

the heel unit in longitudinal section BB of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

the heel unit of the first embodiment is broken down into individual components,

FIG. 5

the heel unit of the first embodiment in a perspective view,

FIG. 6

the binding of the first embodiment with the heel unit in a closed state,

FIG. 7

the binding of the first embodiment with the heel unit in a release state and a secured axially forward position,

FIG. 8

the binding of the first exemplary embodiment with a heel unit which is in the release state and is unlocked for an axial adjustment,

FIG. 9

the binding of the first embodiment with the heel unit in release state in a secured axially rear position,

FIG. 10

the binding of the first embodiment with swing-off ski boot,

FIG. 11

the binding of the first embodiment with the ski boot swung down and the opening member located in a first climbing position,

FIG. 12

the binding of the first embodiment with the ski boot swung down and the opening member located in a second climbing position,

FIG. 13

a binding of a second embodiment with a heel unit in the closed state,

FIG. 14

the binding of the second embodiment with the heel unit in the release state,

FIG. 15

the binding of the second embodiment with the heel unit in the release state and the opening member in the inactive position,

FIG. 16

the binding of the second embodiment with the ski boot pivoted and the opening member located in a first climbing position and

FIG. 17

the binding of the second embodiment with the ski boot pivoted and the opening member located in a second climbing position.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 show a heel unit 2 of a ski binding a first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the heel unit 2 in a plan view. Registered are two transverse to the longitudinal axis L offset longitudinal planes AA and BB. FIG. 2 shows the heel unit 2 in longitudinal section AA and FIG. 3 in longitudinal section BB. In FIG. 4 the components of the heel unit 2 are shown separately in an assembly suitable for mounting. FIG. 5 shows the heel unit 5 in a perspective view from the left front, with the left and front on the longitudinal axis L in the direction of travel related.

In the FIGS. 6 to 12 the binding, which includes a toe unit 1 beyond the heel unit 2, is shown together with a ski boot S held by the binding and only indicated in the figures. From the ski boot S is essentially only the sole shown. The toe unit 1 holds the ski boot S at a toe end. The heel unit 2 serves to hold the ski boot S at a heel-side end. FIG. 6 shows the heel unit 2 in a closed state in which they the heel end of the ski boot S in a heel holding engagement firmly on the ski, in FIG. 6 on one of the attachment of the heel unit 2 serving on the ski mounting structure 3 holds. In this condition, the binding holds the ski boot S when skiing down. FIG. 7 For example, the heel unit 2 is in a release state. At the toe end of the ski boot S is still held by the toe unit 1 in a toe hold engagement. The toe unit 1, however, is adapted to keep the ski boot S in the toe-holding engagement about a pivot axis A away from the ski or the mounting structure 3 and to the ski or the mounting structure 3 to pivot back and forth. The pivot axis A extends transversely to the longitudinal axis L of the binding, which coincides in the assembled state with the longitudinal axis L of the ski, and at least substantially parallel to a bottom of the ski or the binding. In this condition, the binding allows comfortable walking and in particular a climb with strapped ski.

The heel unit 2 of the first embodiment comprises the mounting structure 3, which serves to mount on the ski, and a bearing structure 4, which in FIG. 4 individually and in the other figures of the first embodiment is shown mounted in the mounting structure 3 state. The heel unit 2 further includes a heel holder 5, which is movable relative to the bearing structure 4 and also relative to the mounting structure 3 from a closed position to a release position and in the opposite direction back to the closed position back and forth. In the exemplary embodiment, the heel holder 5 is preferably pivotable back and forth about a pivot axis B which is fixed relative to the bearing structure 4. The pivot axis B is at least substantially parallel to the pivot axis A. In the closed state of the heel unit 2, the heel holder 5 takes the closed position and in the release state of the heel unit 2, he takes the release position. In the FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 takes the heel holder 5, respectively, the closed position.

The heel holder 5 has a holding structure 6 which, in the closed position of the heel holder 5, engages behind the sole of the ski boot S on the upper side and acts as a hold-down for the ski boot S. The heel holder 5 also forms a tread spur 7, on which the skier enters the binding when getting in and thereby the heel holder 5 from the in FIG. 7 shown release position moves to the closed position. The heel holder 5 is molded in one piece with the support structure 6 and the tread spur 7, preferably made of plastic by injection molding. Holding structure 6 and tread spur 7 form a movement unit.

The opening movement to the release position (for example FIG. 7 ) and the opposite closing movement into the closed position ( FIG. 2 ) performs the heel holder 5 respectively against the force of a closing spring device with two closing springs 17. The heel holder 5 is coupled to the closing springs 17 by means of a curved joint. The cam joint form a formed on the heel holder 5 control engagement element 8 and a control cam shaped control spool 16 which is translationally relative to the bearing structure 4 and the heel holder 5 reciprocally movable and is acted upon by the closing springs 17 acting in the direction of the control engagement element 8 spring force , The control engagement of the spool 16 and the control engaging member 8 are such that the heel holder 5 about the pivot axis B from the closed position against the force of the closing springs 17 in the release position and from this back can also be moved against the force of the closing springs 17 in the closed position. The control engagement has a dead center so that the heel holder 5 pivots from each pivot position to one side of the dead center back to the closed position and from each position to the other side of the dead center back to the release position. The closed position and the release position are stable end positions, the intermediate positions are unstable positions. The control engaging element 8 is formed on a free rear side of the heel holder 5. For the control engagement, the heel holder 5 and the spool 16 symmetrically left and right of a central central longitudinal axis L each have a control engaging element 8 and corresponding to a control cam, the control engaging elements 8 each at the free rear of the heel holder 5 and the cams each at a free front of the Spool valve 16.

In a modification, the arrangement of control engagement elements and cams can be reversed, so the cams so be formed on the heel holder 5 and the control elements corresponding to the spool 16. In further modifications, instead of two control engagement elements and control cams, only a single control cam and a single control engagement element can be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, two closing springs 17 are present, but in principle also satisfies a single, correspondingly stronger closing spring.

The closing springs 17 are supported in the effective direction on the heel holder 5 on the spool 16 and in the opposite direction to a spring support 18. The spool 16 and the spring support 18 are the force of the closing springs 17 against each other by means of a clamping element 19 and a clamping element 20 stretched towards each other. The clamping elements 19 and 20 are screwed together. By a screwing movement of the rear clamping element 19, the biasing force of the closing springs 17 and thus the spring force required for opening and closing the binding can be adjusted. The clamping element 20 is connected via a fastening pin 21 in the effective direction of the closing springs 17 with the bearing structure 4.

The heel unit 2 comprises an opening member 10 for the heel holder 5. The opening member 10 is pivotable together with the heel holder 5 and also relative to this about the same pivot axis B as the heel holder 5. The heel holder 5, by pressing the opening member 10, in particular by exerting pressure with the ski stock or a comparable handle, with the binding closed, so buckled ski, conveniently from above, while standing, moved from the closed position to the release position and the binding thereby be opened. In its opening function, it is supported in the direction of the release position of the heel holder 5 pivoting direction in a pressure contact on the heel holder 5, so that it forms an opening lever to open the binding. The force exerted on actuation acts on the lever formed by the opening member 10 in pressure contact with the heel holder 5 and forces it against the force of the closing springs 17 in the release position. In pressure contact, the opening member 10 presses against a formed on the heel holder 5 stop and is supported in the one pivot direction on the heel holder 5 from. The pressure or stop contact exists directly between the opening member 10, for example, a rear side of the opening member 10, and the heel holder 5, that is, the stop formed by the heel holder 5. The force is advantageously distributed over the surface in pressure contact.

However, the opening member 10 is not only the opening of the binding, but in dual function as a climbing aid. In fulfillment of its first function, the opening of the binding, the opening member 10 assumes a binding opening position relative to the heel holder 5, in which said contact with the stop of the heel holder 5, when pressure exerted the pressure contact exists. To perform its second function as a climbing aid, the opening member 10 is adjustable relative to the heel holder 5 from the binding opening position in the opposite direction. This opposite direction corresponds to the pivoting direction of the heel holder 5 during its movement from the release position to the closed position. The opening member 10 may be selectively moved either into a first ascending position for moderate slope climbs or a second ascending position located on the pivoting path between the binding opening position and the first ascending position for ascents of comparatively greater pitch, relative to the heel holder away from the binding opening position become. In the first rising position, the opening member 10 lies in front of the heel holder 5 with its front side on the mounting structure 3 and forms with its rear side a first support 14 for the ski boot S (FIG. Fig. 11 ). The second rising position is determined by a releasable locking engagement, preferably of the opening member 10 with the heel holder 5, as a locking position ( Fig. 12 ).

A coupling which operatively couples the opening member 10 to the heel holder 5 includes via the mentioned pressure contact for opening the binding a coupling member 12 of the opening member 10 and a coupling counterpart of the heel holder 5. Coupling member 12 and coupling counterpart are in a coupling engagement with each other when the opening member 10 relative to the heel holder 5 occupies the binding opening position. For the coupling intervention, a latching intervention is selected by way of example. The coupling member 12 is exemplified as a recess or depression and the coupling counterpart shaped as a projecting locking cams. This arrangement can also be reversed. The coupling engagement can by an operation of the opening member 10, in the example by Exercise one of the operation for opening the binding opposing force to be solved, advantageously by a exercisable with the ski pole ring on the opening member 10 tensile force. The opening member 10 protrudes sufficiently far beyond the heel holder 5 and is therefore freely accessible for this operation. The coupling member 12 may form with another coupling counterpart of the heel holder 5, the locking engagement, which determines the second climbing position. Alternatively, a locking engagement for the second climbing position but also be formed elsewhere.

Within the heel unit 2, a first pivot for the heel holder 5 and a second pivot for the opening member 10 are formed. The pivot axis B is the hinge axis of both hinges. Both hinges have a joint element 9 in common, which is preferably shaped as a hollow axle or shaft and is fixedly supported on the bearing structure 4, for example in a left and a right bearing bush of the bearing structure 4. The heel holder 5 forms with the joint member 9, the first pivot and the opening member 10 with the same joint member 9, the second pivot. At the heel holder 5, a left joint bush 5a and a right joint bush 5a are formed to form the first pivot joint, which are penetrated by the joint element 9. Between the joint bushes 5a remains in the heel holder 5, a gap into which the opening member 10 protrudes. The opening member 10 has to form the second pivot joint on a hinge bushing 11, which is also penetrated in the mounted state of the heel unit 2 of the common joint element 9. The joint element 9 can not be rotatable with the bearing structure 4 about the pivot axis B or alternatively rotatably connected. Depending on the rotation-secured or rotatable connection with the bearing structure 4, the heel holder 5 and the opening member 10 can either be secured against rotation with the joint element 9 or preferably connected rotatably relative thereto. Preferably, the embodiment of the rotary joints is such that the bearing structure 4 and the hinge element 9 are not rotatable relative to each other or at least not rotatable and accordingly the heel holder 5 and the opening member 10 relative to the hinge member 9 each rotatable and thus the support structure 6 and the tread spurs 7 on the one hand and the operating portion of the opening member 10 on the other hand are pivotable about the hinge element 9.

In order to be able to lower the ski boot S when walking in a flat or only slightly rising terrain to the top of the mounting structure 3, the heel holder 5 is adjustable relative to the mounting structure 3 between an axially forward position and an axially rearward position. In the embodiment, as preferred, the bearing structure 4 and thus together the heel holder 5 relative to the mounting structure 3 in this way adjustable. The mounting structure 3 and the bearing structure 4 are for the adjustment in an axial guide engagement. Between the mounting structure 3 and the bearing structure 4, a securing device is effective, which secures the bearing structure 4 in each of the two predetermined positions relative to the mounting structure 3, each in a releasable securing engagement. The securing device comprises an actuatable securing member 22 and a securing counter-structure 23 which are brought into the securing engagement in the axial positions of the bearing structure 4 with each other. The securing member 22 protrudes to the rear, against the direction of travel, beyond the bearing structure 4 so far that a rear portion of the securing member 22 is easily accessible to an operation by hand or by means of the ski pole or other handle. The securing member 22 has a front engaging portion which is located in the mounted state of the heel unit 2 between the mounting structure 3 and the bearing structure 4 with the front engagement portion complementary shaped securing counter-structure 23 in the securing engagement. The securing counter-structure 23 is arranged in a receptacle 25 of the mounting structure 3 and in the receptacle 25 axially guided back and forth. The securing counter-structure 23 is acted upon by a thrust spring 26 in the direction of travel, ie forward, with a spring force. As part of their axial mobility, the securing counter-structure 23 can be moved together with the bearing structure 4 and heel holder 5 against the force of the push spring 26 to the rear. In this way, a certain axial elasticity is achieved in the longitudinal direction, which can compensate for bending deformations of the ski occurring between the toe unit 1 and the heel holder 5.

The securing member 22 is rotatable relative to the mounting structure 3, the securing counter-structure 23 and also relative to the bearing structure 4, for example, about a longitudinal axis L of the bond. The securing member 22 is always axially secured in the context of its Drehverstellbarkeit relative to the bearing structure 4, so can not move axially relative to the bearing structure 4. Due to the rotational adjustment, the securing member 22, however, from the Fuse engagement with the securing counter-structure 23 and be moved by turning back into the securing engagement. The securing device further comprises a further engagement structure 24, which is formed, for example, on the mounting structure 3. The engagement structure 24 is accessible from the outside and is therefore also referred to below as the outer engagement structure 24. The outer engagement structure 24 cooperates with the securing member 23 so as to secure the same in either the axially forward or the axially rearward position in engagement with the securing member 22, respectively. As can be seen from the synopsis of Figures 3 and 4 opens, the securing member 22 in the in FIG. 3 assumed, axially forward position of the bearing structure 4 in securing engagement with a front portion of the securing counter-structure 23 is further axially immovably connected to the bearing structure 4 and in engagement with an axially forward position associated front engagement portion of the outer engagement structure 24. By turning the securing member 22nd about its longitudinal axis of the securing engagement with the securing counter-structure 23 and the engagement with the outer engagement structure 24 are solved. After loosening the bearing structure 4 can be moved with the heel holder 5 relative to the mounting structure 3 in the axially rearward position and in this by turning back the securing member 22 at the same time the securing engagement with the securing counter-structure 23, namely with a rear axial portion of the securing counter-structure 23, and the engagement with the outer engagement structure 24, namely in a rear end of the associated rear engagement portion, are produced.

The mode of use of the binding of the first embodiment is in the FIGS. 6 to 12 illustrated.

FIG. 6 shows the binding in the closed state, as it is used for the departure. By pressing the relative to the heel holder 5 located in the binding opening position opening member 20, namely by exercising a directed towards the mounting structure 3 pressure with, for example, the tip of the ski pole, the heel holder 5 from the in FIG. 6 moved closed position moves to the release position, thereby releasing the heel end of the ski boot S. This state shows FIG. 7 , The opening member 10 still takes relative to the heel holder 5 the Bindungsöffnungsposition a, it has simply carried the heel holder 5 in his own pivoting movement in pressure contact. The ski boot S is further in the toe holder engagement with the toe unit 1 now pivotable about the toe-side pivot axis A, but would close the binding when lowering on the tread spur 7 again.

If the driver or goer wants to lower the ski boot S down to the mounting structure 3, for example when walking in flat terrain, he adjusts the bearing structure 4 and together with it the heel holder 5 from the axially forward position of the FIGS. 6 and 7 in the axially rearward position in which he can lower the ski boot S from the heel holder 5 freely up to the top of the mounting structure 3. For the adjustment, he turns the securing member 22 out of engagement with the outer engagement structure 24 and at the same time from the securing engagement with the securing counter-structure 23 and pushes the unsecured bearing structure 4 with the heel holder 5 in the axially rearward position. In the axially rearward position, it pivots the securing member 22 back into engagement with the engaging structure and into locking engagement with the axially rearward portion of the securing counter-structure 23. The bearing structure 4 and thus the heel holder 5 are now in the axially rearward position Secured position.

In FIG. 8 the securing member 22 is released, but bearing structure 4 and heel holder 5 still take the axially forward position. In FIG. 9 take the axially rearward position, which is already secured by means of the securing member 22. The ski boot S can pivot freely in the toe holding unit with the toe unit 1 in this state from the heel holder 5 and swing back to the top of the mounting structure 3. FIG. 10 shows the binding with the down to the mounting structure 3 lowered ski boot S.

If the steepness of the terrain increases, the goer adjusts the opening organ 10 out of the FIG. 10 still occupied binding opening position relative to the heel holder 5 in the in FIG. 11 shown first climbing position. For this purpose, the opening member 10 is pivoted from the binding opening position in front of the heel holder 5 to the upper side of the mounting structure 3, so that it is supported with its front side on the mounting structure 3 and with its rear side forms the first support 14 associated with the first climbing position for the heel region of the ski boot S.

For ascending in even steeper terrain, the opening member 10 is pivoted from the first climbing position a little way back towards the binding opening position until it is releasably locked in the predetermined second position and thereby secured. FIG. 12 shows the bond with the located in the second climbing position opening member 10, in which the goers in the heel area on the second support 15 of the opening member 10 can be supported.

To shut down the opening member 10 can be pivoted back to the binding opening position, the securing member 22 by rotational adjustment out of engagement with the engagement structure 24 and the securing engagement with the securing counter-structure 23, the bearing structure 4 moves with the heel holder 5 back to the axially forward position and there be secured again by means of the securing member 22. The binding is simply closed by pivoting back or lowering the ski boot S and the associated pressure actuation of the tread spur 7 and is now ready for the departure.

The FIGS. 13 to 17 show a bond with a heel unit 2 of a second embodiment. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be described. Apart from the differences described, the heel unit 2 corresponds to that of the first embodiment. The toe unit 1 corresponds to that of the first embodiment entirely.

The heel unit 2 of the second embodiment comprises a mounting structure 3 and a bearing structure 4, which correspond to the first embodiment at least as far as is relevant to the invention. The heel unit 2 further comprises a heel holder 5 and an opening member 30, which are modified in comparison with the heel holder 5 and the opening member 10 of the first embodiment. The deviations are due to the fact that in the second embodiment, not the heel holder 5, but the opening member 30 forms a tread spur 37, which performs the same function as the tread spur 7 of the first embodiment, namely the automatic closing of the binding when getting out. Apart from the kickporn function, the heel holder 5 corresponds to the heel holder 5 of the first embodiment in terms of the heel holding engagement and its mobility. The heel holder 5 is in Fig. 13 with its support structure 6 in heel holding engagement with the ski boot S, so is in the closed position. The opening member 30, which also fulfills the kickporn function, picks up FIG. 13 relative to the heel holder 5, the binding opening position in which it is in the heel holder 5 from the closed position leading pivot direction with the heel holder 5 in a pressure contact. The opening member 30 can be actuated to open the binding as the opening member 10, so by exerting a compressive force in the heel holder 5 from the closed position to the release position leading pivot direction.

The opening member 30 is in the binding opening position in a coupling engagement, which couples the opening member 30 with respect to its pivotally movable and that of the heel holder 5 is not movable with the heel holder 5. The coupling of opening member 30 and heel holder 5 comprises a coupling member 32 movably arranged on the opening member 30 and a coupling counterpart member 33 which is formed on the heel holder 5 and thus non-movable relative to the heel holder 5, which are in coupling engagement with each other. The coupling member 32 is movable relative to the opening member 30 and in particular the coupling counterpart member 33 in a direction transverse to the pivoting direction of the coupling engagement. The coupling member 32 may, for example, be tensioned by being acted upon by a spring force in the direction of the coupling engagement or held in a coupling engagement by means of a latching connection with the opening member 30 or the coupling counter member 33. In the coupling engagement of the coupling member 32 and the coupling counter member 33, the opening member 30 and the heel holder 5 can perform movements in both pivot directions only together.

FIG. 14 shows the binding with the heel unit 2 in the release state in which the heel holder 5 assumes the release position and the opening member 30 is still relative to the heel holder 5 in the binding opening position with still existing coupling engagement of the coupling member 32 and coupling counter 33. The coupling engagement is substantially positive fit and designed so that the force exerted on the tread spur 37 when entering the binding force is transmitted via the coupling 32, 33 transmitted to the heel holder 5 and this is moved against the force of the closing spring (s) 17 from the release position to the closed position. Would the skier or goer in the in FIG. 14 lowered state shown release state of the heel unit 2, the heel holder 5 would pivot over the tread spurs 37 and existing between 32 and 33 coupling in the closed position and the binding would be closed again.

In order to switch from the state of release of the heel unit 2 which is still suitable for automatically closing the binding to the state for walking, the skier releases the coupling of the coupling member 32 and coupling member 33 by a manual actuation of the coupling member 32 , 33 from the foot pivots the decoupled from the heel holder 5 opening member 30 free of the heel holder 5 and thus free from the spring force of the closing spring (s) 17 from the Einwirkbereich and the ski boot S can be lowered to the mounting structure 3. In FIG. 15 this situation and the binding state suitable for walking in flat terrain is shown. The opening member 30 assumes an inactive position, which is preferably secured in a latching engagement with the heel holder 5 or the bearing structure 4.

The decoupled opening member 30 can be selectively moved to either the inactive position (FIG. Fig. 15 ) or the in FIG. 16 occupied first climbing position or in FIG. 17 assumed second climbing position to be adjusted. The first and the second climbing position are each secured by a latching engagement, preferably by a latching engagement of the opening member 30 with the heel holder 5 or alternatively with the bearing structure 4. In the first rising position is a lower, first support 34 of the opening member 30 is used on the the goer can be supported with the ski boot S swiveled away. In the second climbing position, a second support 35 formed by the opening member 30 is used in an analogous manner, on which the goer with the ski boot S can be supported while the ski boot is being pivoted further away from the mounting structure 3.

Reference numerals:

1

toe unit

2

heel unit

3

mounting structure

4

bearing structure

5

Fersenhalter

6

holding structure

7

tread spur

8th

Control engagement element

9

joint element

10

Opening organ, climbing aid

11

joint element

12

coupling member

13

-

14

first edition

15

second edition

16

spool

17

closing spring

18

spring support

19

clamping element

20

clamping element

21

fastening pin

22

safety element

23

Collateral structure

24

engagement structure

25

admission

26

thrust spring

27

-

28

-

29

-

30

opening member

31

-

32

coupling member

33

Coupling counter member

34

first edition

35

second edition

36

-

37

tread spur

A

swivel axis

B

swivel axis

L

longitudinal axis

S

ski boot

Claims (15)

1. A binding for a ski, the binding comprising:

   a) a toe unit (1) for holding a toe end of a ski boot (S);

   b) a heel unit (2), comprising: a bearing structure (4); a heel retainer (5) which can be moved back and forth relative to the bearing structure (4) between a closed position and a release position, for holding a heel end of a ski boot (S) in the closed position; and an opening mechanism (10; 30) which can be moved relative to the bearing structure (4) and operated and which is coupled to the heel retainer (5) in a binding opening position such that the heel retainer (5) can be moved out of the closed position into the release position by operating the opening mechanism (10; 30), in order to open the binding,

   c) wherein the toe unit (1) is configured such that when the ski boot (S) is held by the toe unit (1), the ski boot (S) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (A) which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) and parallel to a lower side of the binding, in order to be able to pivot the heel end of the ski boot (S) away from the ski;

   d) and a climbing aid (10; 30) which is arranged in the region of the heel unit (2) and can be adjusted to a climbing position when the ski boot (S) is pivoted away, in order to support the pivoted ski boot (S) towards the ski,

   e) wherein the opening mechanism (10; 30) forms the climbing aid (10; 30),
   characterised in that

   f) the opening mechanism is arranged such that it can be selectively adjusted to each one of several different climbing positions.
2. The binding according to Claim 1, characterised in that the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be moved relative to the heel retainer (5) out of the binding opening position into the climbing position and in the opposite direction back into the binding opening position and is supported in the opposite direction on the heel retainer (5) in the binding opening position.
3. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a releasable coupling (12; 32, 33) couples the opening mechanism (10; 30) to the heel retainer (5) in the binding opening position, in order to move the heel retainer (5) out of the closed position into the release position by operating the opening mechanism (10; 30), and the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be adjusted to the climbing position when the coupling is released.
4. The binding according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the coupling (12; 32, 33) couples the heel retainer (5) and the opening mechanism (10; 30) such that they cannot be moved relative to each other and preferably fixes them directly to each other.
5. The binding according to any one of the preceding two claims, characterised in that the coupling (12) comprises a latching engagement which can be released by a force exerted on the opening mechanism (10) towards the climbing position, wherein the heel retainer (5) and the opening mechanism (10) preferably form the latching engagement directly with each other.
6. The binding according to any one of the preceding three claims, characterised in that the coupling (32, 33) comprises a coupling member (32) arranged on the opening mechanism (30) and a complementary coupling member (33) arranged on the heel retainer (5), which are in a releasable coupling engagement with each other, and at least one of the coupling member (32) and the complementary coupling member (33) is arranged such that it can be moved and can be moved out of the coupling engagement by being operated.
7. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the binding is configured such that when the ski boot (S) is pivoted away from the ski, the ski boot (S) is held by the toe unit (1) and released from the heel retainer (5).
8. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heel unit (2) comprises a foot spur (7; 37) which can be operated by pressing it with the heel end of the ski boot (S) when stepping into the binding, wherein operating it can move the heel retainer (5) out of the release position into the closed position, and the foot spur (7; 37) is fixedly connected to and preferably integrally moulded with the heel retainer (5) or the opening mechanism (30).
9. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening mechanism (10) can be pivoted relative to the heel retainer (5) or the bearing structure (4) about a pivot axis (B) out of the binding opening position into the climbing position, wherein if it can be pivoted relative to both the heel retainer (5) and the bearing structure (4), then the pivot axis (B) about which the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be pivoted relative to the heel retainer (5) and the pivot axis (B) about which the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be pivoted relative to the bearing structure (4) are identical.
10. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heel retainer (5) can be pivoted back and forth about a pivot axis (B) between the closed position and the release position.
11. The binding according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the pivot axis (B) of the heel retainer (5) is also the pivot axis (B) of Claim 9.
12. The binding according to the preceding claim, characterised in that a first rotary joint (5, 9) and a second rotary joint (9, 11; 9, 31) comprise a common joint element (9), preferably a shaft or axle (9), and the heel retainer (5) can be pivoted in the first rotary joint (5, 9) relative to the bearing structure (4), and the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be pivoted in the second rotary joint (9, 11; 9, 31) relative to the heel retainer (5).
13. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that when the heel retainer (5) is fitted on the ski, the heel retainer (5) can be moved relative to the ski in the longitudinal direction of the ski out of a front position, in which the heel retainer (5) can hold the ski boot (S) on the ski in a heel retaining engagement, into a rear position, wherein when the heel retainer (5) is situated in the rear position, the ski boot (S) can pivot free of it, and the binding preferably comprises a securing device (22-24) by means of which the heel retainer (5) can be releasably secured axially in both the front and rear position.
14. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening mechanism (10; 30) can be selectively moved into either the climbing position or at least one other climbing position.
15. The binding according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the climbing position or the at least one other climbing position of the preceding claim, the opening mechanism (10; 30) lies on an upper side of the ski or on a fitting structure (3) of the binding or heel retainer (5) which is or can be fitted to the ski, or is secured in a releasable latching engagement which it preferably forms with the heel retainer (5).

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