FR2664173A1 - SKI BRAKE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ski brake comprising a pair of stop arms (4) mounted to pivot about a horizontal and transverse axis (xx '), and an energy generating device (5, 6) with a spring. return (5) to normally pass the arms (4) into the active braking position, when a boot is not applied to the ski. This ski brake is characterized in that the energy generating device (5, 6) is at least partially embedded in a longitudinal housing (11) formed in the ski (2) and opening into the upper surface (2a) of that. -ci and the connecting segments (4c) of the arms (4) are engaged in the longitudinal housing (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a ski brake that is

  that is to say a device intended to prevent a ski from sliding on a slope when, during the practice of skiing, the ski is no longer connected to the skier, for example following the release of a safety binding when a fall. Various ski brakes are known that generally comprise at least one stop arm forming a "spade" at its end and which is mounted to rotate laterally with respect to a ski edge. When the ski is free, this spade is normally located in an active braking position in which it protrudes under the sole of the ski This spade is biased, as well as the rest of the component parts of the brake, to this position by an energy generating device comprising a return spring When the shoe is engaged in a binding carried by the ski and that it is applied against the upper face thereof, it maintains instead the spade in an inactive position in which it is substantially horizontal to a level a little higher than that of the upper surface of the ski When a release of the binding results in the separation of the ski boot, the brake is released and the spade not it is then in active braking position, under the action of the energy generating device This spade can thus penetrate more or less into the snow so as to immobilize the ski, so that the skier can retrieve it easily. not to hurtle down the hill and hurt a skier

  downstream or even get lost.

  The ski brakes currently known generally comprise a base fixed on the upper surface of the ski and which contains the energy generating device of the brake and in particular its return spring A ski brake of

  this type is for example described in patent EP-A-0227939.

  The return spring used in such known ski brakes is a longitudinal compression spring bearing, at one of its ends, on a fixed part of the base and, at its other end, on a movable control element This movable control element is connected to a brake actuating member which can be constituted, for example, by

  by a pedal on which comes to support the shoe.

  As a result of the effort required of the compression spring to move the spades in the active braking position, the compression spring must have dimensions relatively

  important, both in length and in diameter that is to say

  The result is that the base of the ski brakes known to date has a significant height and therefore constitutes a protrusion that can interfere

  somewhat applying the shoe flat on the ski.

  The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by providing a ski brake of particularly simple design and very small overall height. For this purpose this ski brake comprising a pair of stop arms pivotally mounted about a horizontal and transverse axis, pivotable between an active braking position in which these arms project below the ski, and a position inactive in which the arms extend substantially horizontally to a level a little higher than that of the upper surface of the ski, a spring-return energy generating device for normally moving the arms to the active braking position, when a shoe is not applied to the ski, and actuating means for moving the arms from their active braking position to their inactive position when a shoe is applied to the upper surface of the ski, each arm having a main segment. outer forming a spade for planting in the snow, extending outside of a song of the ski in active braking position, a central segment forming an axis of transverse pivoting extending above the upper surface of the ski, and an internal connecting segment coupled to the energy generating device, characterized in that the energy generating device is at least partially embedded in a longitudinal housing formed in the ski and opening into the upper surface thereof and the connecting segments

  arms are engaged in the longitudinal housing.

  The following will be described by way of non-limiting examples, various embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view partially broken away of a ski brake; according to the invention,

active braking position.

  FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective view of the brake of which only the arms are represented in active position

braking.

  FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the ski brake in an inactive position in which its arms extend.

  horizontally above the upper surface of the ski.

  FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of the ski brake, its arms being shown in position

intermediate horizontal.

  Figure 5 is a simplified perspective view of the ski brake, its arms being shown in retracted position towards the inside of the ski. FIG. 6 is a vertical and longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the ski brake, in

active braking position.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the ski brake in the active braking position,

  the upper wall of its case being assumed to be removed.

  FIG. 8 is a vertical and longitudinal sectional view of the ski brake in the intermediate position in which the arms are raised horizontally above

the upper surface of the ski.

  FIG. 9 is a vertical and longitudinal sectional view of the ski in the inactive position in which the arms are retracted towards the vertical plane and

longitudinal symmetry of the ski.

  FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the ski brake with the upper wall of its housing removed, the right half of this figure representing the brake in the intermediate position and the left half representing the

brake in the inactive position.

  FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the piston and the part connecting the piston and

the brake arms.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the ski brake, in

active braking position.

  FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view and

  longitudinal of the ski brake shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sliding brake piston and control slide shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the operation of the ski brake shown in FIG.

Figures 12 and 13.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown, in a simplified manner, a brake 1 mounted on the upper surface 2a of a ski 2, in order to immobilize this ski on the snow when it is released, for example following the fall of a skier This brake 1 is carried by a base comprising an outer casing 3 and on which are rotatably mounted, about a horizontal and transverse axis xx ', two opposed brake arms 4 Each of these brake arms 4 comprises a main segment or "spade" 4a, which is the active part of the brake extending outside a song 2b of the ski 2 This spade 4a is inclined downwards and towards the rear of the ski, in active braking position in which it protrudes under the ski 2 to be able to be planted in the snow Each spade 4a is extended at its upper end by a central segment 4b forming a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the spade 4a and extending horizontally following the pivot axis xx ', just above the upper surface 2a of the ski 2 Finally each brake arm 4 ends, in the central part of the ski 2, in the vicinity of the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry P of the by a short link or control segment 4c which is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the two other segments 4a and 4b In the active braking position which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spades 4a two parallel brake arms 4 are inclined downwards and rearwards while their two connecting segments 4c, parallel to each other,

  are inclined downwards and forwards.

  The ski brake 1 also comprises an energy generating device housed inside the casing 3 of its base. This device comprises a longitudinal compression spring 5 and a sliding piston 6 coupled to the connecting segments 4c of the two arms 4. The compression spring 5 is supported, at its rear end, on a rear vertical wall and rear wall 3a of the housing 3 and continuously pushes the piston 6 forward This piston 6 can be driven rearward, at the rear against the return spring 5, by any suitable means actuated as a result of the engagement of the boot in the bindings (not shown) carried by the ski In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1 the piston 6 is driven by a pedal 7 inclined from below upwards and from front and rear, articulated on the ski, at its front end, about a horizontal and transverse axis 8 and coupled to the piston 6 by the inter médiaire

connecting rod 9.

  According to the invention the housing 3 of the base of the ski brake 1, containing the energy generating device 5,6 of the brake, is embedded in a housing 11 formed in the ski 2 and opening into the upper surface 2a. The housing 11 has a parallelepipedal shape, and it is elongate in the longitudinal direction of the ski 2 The dimensions of the lateral surface of the housing 11 correspond to those of the housing 3 which is thus embedded tightly in this housing The housing 3 is recessed sufficiently in the ski 2 so that its upper horizontal wall 3b just protrudes above the upper surface 2 of the ski 2 It follows that the housing 3 of the brake base of the ski 1 forms a protrusion of very low height to the surface

superior 2 has ski.

  When the skier shoes his ski 2, his shoe, by pressing the pedal 7 of the brake 1, causes a rearward movement of the piston 6, against the return spring, and this movement causes, by means which will be described in detail below, a pivoting of the brake arms 4 in the direction of clockwise around the horizontal and transverse axis xx 'This movement has the effect of bringing the spades 4 has in an intermediate horizontal position in which these spades 4a are at a level slightly greater than that of the upper surface 2a of the ski but still being located outside the vertical planes of the edges 2b of the ski, as shown in FIG. this intermediate position the short connecting segments 4 c are then brought into a vertical position and they can constitute, from this moment, vertical pivot axes for the end of the retraction movement of the spades 4 a Ce final pivoting movement ensures a displacement of the central segment 4b of each arm towards the rear and each spade 4a towards the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry P of the ski so that in final position inactive, as shown on 5, the two spades 4a are thereby retracted inwardly over the

upper surface 2 has ski 2.

  When the shoe of the skier stops being applied flat on the ski 2, as a result of a fall or a voluntary release, the reverse movements occur under the action of the return spring 5, that is to say - say that the spades 4a first pass from the inactive or retracted position (Figure 5) to the intermediate position (Figure 4),

  then to the active braking position (Figures 1 and 2).

  We will now describe, with particular reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, a form of execution

  particular of the brake according to the invention.

  As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 11, the piston 6 which is housed longitudinally sliding in the casing 3 of the brake base, is constituted by a substantially parallelepipedal block which carries, at its upper and posterior part, a support 12 for a transverse hinge pin 13 providing the connection between the piston 6 and the connecting rod 9 connected to the pedal 7 For this purpose the support 12 protrudes upwards, above the rear part of the upper wall 3b of the case 3, through

  a longitudinal slot formed in this upper wall.

  Furthermore, the piston 6 has, at its upper and anterior part, two longitudinal lateral ramps 14 constituted by two longitudinal faces slightly set back with respect to the longitudinal faces 6a of the piston 6. The ramps 14 delimit, in the upper parts of the longitudinal faces. 6 a, two opposite longitudinal recesses 15 in which are engaged the inner ends of two movable cleats 16 These cleats are respectively mounted to slide in housings 17 which are formed in two blocks 18 arranged and fixed under a raised front portion 3 c of the upper wall 3b of the housing 3, on either side of the longitudinal housing 11 Each housing 17 and therefore each cleat 16 is inclined towards the front and towards the outside of the ski Each cleat 16 opens into a space 19 forming a bearing delimited, towards the rear, by the front face 18 a of the corresponding block 18, which is inclined outwardly and towards the rear of the ski, and, forwards, by a transverse wing 20a of a support piece 20 having in horizontal section the shape of an omega, with a central portion in it open towards the rear , symmetrical with respect to the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry P In each bearing space 19 is engaged and retained the central pivoting segment 4b of an arm 4 of the brake This segment 4b is preferably applied on a horizontal strip intermediate 3 d of the housing 3, which isolates it from the upper surface 2a of the ski 2 The length of each sliding cleat 16 is chosen so that in the active braking position (FIG. 7) its anterior end is in contact with a central pivoting segment 4b of an arm 4, thus holding it backwards, and that its rear end is engaged in a recess 15 of the piston 6 and in contact with the corresponding lateral ramp 14, in the part posterior end of it This ramp 14 is connected to an upper end face 21 of the piston 6 by a chamfered intermediate face 22 on which the rear end of a cleat 16 can be supported when the piston 6 has been pushed sufficiently backwards as

we will see later.

  The central pivoting segment 4b of each of the arms 4 is subjected to the action of a spring 23 tending to push it backwards, against the front end of the cleat 16 This spring may be of the appropriate type and in particular it may be constituted by a torsion spring of which an extreme branch passes through a hole drilled in the wing 20a to urge the central pivot segment

4 b backwards.

  The piston 6 is coupled to the two short link segments 4 c of the arms 4 by means of a connecting piece 24 in the form of a yoke which is substantially parallel to the spades 4 c of the arms 4 This yoke 24 comprises two wings 24 a s' extending rearwardly from an anterior transverse web 24b and which are interconnected by a horizontal and transverse axis 25 The two wings 24a of the yoke 24 are engaged in a recess 26 provided in the front and bottom of the piston 6, so that the axis 25 is located just behind an open hook 27, formed in the lower central portion of the front end face 28 of the piston 6 Moreover this hook 27 is is just in contact, by its upper and front edge 27a which can be advantageously chamfered, with the lower and rear part 24c of the clevis of

  link 24 which can also be advantageously chamfered.

  Therefore, when the piston 6 is driven backwards, it causes a rotational movement of the yoke 24 in a clockwise direction about the transverse axis xx ', since the axis 25 of it is pulled back by the hook 27 On the other hand, when the piston 6 is pushed forward by the spring 5, it anterior hook 27, when it comes into contact with the connecting yoke 24, this yoke 24 rotates counterclockwise around the transverse axis xx 'To ensure the connection with the arms 4 the transverse web 24 b of the yoke 24 is pierced with two holes 29, parallel axes, aligned transversely and in which the connecting segments are respectively engaged

4 c of the two arms 4.

  In the active braking position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the piston 6 is pushed forward as far as possible by the spring 5, the front hook 27 of the piston 6 pushes forward and towards the top the web 24b of the connecting yoke 24 so that this yoke 24 is inclined upwards and backwards forwards and it is the same spades 4 a which are substantially parallel thereto Moreover the central pivoting segments 4b of the arms 4 are kept aligned along the transverse axis xx ', in contact with the support wings 20a, by the sliding lugs 16 themselves bearing against the ramps 14 As for the link segments 4 c, they are inclined towards

down and forward.

  When the skier is wearing his ski, he causes, by pressing his shoe on the pedal 7, a movement of the piston 6 towards the rear. During this movement, the piston 6 rotates in the direction of clockwise, by through its anterior hook 27, the connecting yoke 24, to which it is coupled by the transverse axis, as well as the spades 4a which rise then During this movement the ramps 14 slide back while remaining in contact with the posterior ends of the tabs 16 which maintain the central pivoting segments 4b in their alignment along the transverse axis xx 'When the spades 4a reach the horizontal intermediate position, the various moving elements occupy the positions represented on the FIG. 8 and on the right half of FIG. 10. The connecting yoke 24 was then brought into a horizontal position, the axis 25 being

  then just at the top of the hook 27.

  The link segments 4c are in a vertical position and they can then constitute, from this moment, vertical pivoting axes for the spades 4a. The posterior ends of the sliding cleats 16 have then just come into contact with the chamfered faces 22. ending

forward ramps 14.

  When continuing the movement of the piston 6 backwards, from the intermediate position to the extreme posterior position, corresponding to the inactive position, the posterior end of each cleat 16 slides in contact with the chamfered face 22 facing so well. that the catch 16 is gradually released and can slide backwards and inwards, that is to say in the direction of the vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry P Its front end which is in contact with the central pivot segment 4 b of an arm 4, thus progressively freeing this segment so that the whole of the brake arm 4 can pivot about the vertical axis formed by the corresponding connecting segment 4 c This pivoting movement maintained in a vertical position by the connecting yoke 24 which is limited by the front face 18 of the block 18, is effected under the action of the spring 23 which then intervenes to push back

  towards the rear the central pivoting segment 4b of the arm 4.

  When the skier releases voluntarily or following a fall, when his shoe leaves the ski, the ski brake 1 is released and it automatically switches to the active braking position The operations described above then take place in the opposite direction The piston 6 is pushed forward by the spring 5 so that the anterior chamfered faces 22 of the piston 6 progressively push the tabs 16 forward and outward and that the side ramps 14 then immobilize the tabs 16 in their pushed position forward The cleats 16 cause a displacement forward of the central pivot segments 4b until they abut against the wings 20a and are aligned along the transverse axis xx 'This corresponds the horizontal movement of the spades that move from the retracted position to the intermediate position

  this movement the connecting yoke 24 remains horizontal.

  Once the intermediate position is reached, the axis 25 of the connecting yoke 24 passes behind the hook 27, and this hook 27 acts on the lower part of the yoke 24 so as to rotate this yoke 24 in the direction of the needles d a watch around the transverse axis xx 'It follows that each arm 4 pivots counterclockwise about the transverse axis xx' and that

  each spade 4 has entered the active braking position.

  Although it was stated in the description

  previous, the piston 6 of the ski brake is driven by a pedal actuated by the sole of the boot, it goes without saying that the movement of the piston could be caused by another movable element This movable element controlling the retraction of the brake Inactive position may be the body of a rear attachment and then in this case the sliding movement of the body of the attachment in its slide It may also be an element of a fixation which is sensitive to the presence or the absence of the shoe This element can be constituted by a rocker located inside the body of the binding or by the jaw in the case of a magic attachment, that is to say, a jaw that is always puts in position

  open in the absence of the shoe.

  In the variant embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the sliding piston 6 of the previously described embodiment is replaced by two superposed independent elements, movable longitudinally relative to each other, to namely a lower piston 6, pushed back by the spring 5 and coupled to the connecting piece 24, in the same way as the piston 6 described above, and an upper control spool 29 sliding on the upper surface of the lower piston 6 This upper drawer 29 has, in its front part 29a, the lateral ramps 14, the front end face 21, the chamfered intermediate faces 22 The upper slide 29 has, in plan view, the general shape of an open U rear and it comprises two posterior longitudinal branches 29b, 29c extending rearward anterior portion 29a These two rear branches 29b, 29c extend respectively ent on either side of the support 12 for the horizontal and transverse hinge pin 13 ensuring the connection between the lower piston 6 and the connecting rod 9 connected to the pedal 7 The support 12 comprises two parallel vertical flanges between which extends the axis 13 Between the two wings of the support 12 passes a longitudinal tie 31 which is connected on the one hand to the control spool 29 and on the other hand to the body 32 of a rear or heel attachment 33, as shown on the

figure 15.

  In the active braking position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper control spool 29 occupies its anterior end position and in this position the internal ends of the two cleats 16 are in contact with the ridges formed at the connection of the two chamfered intermediate faces 22 and ramps

lateral 14.

  We will now describe, with particular reference to FIG. 15, the operation of the ski brake illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Part A of FIG. 15 represents the lower piston 6 and the upper control spool 29 in their extreme positions. previous they occupy when the brake pedal 7 is raised and the heel 33 is triggered When the skier is wearing his ski, he presses his shoe first only on the pedal 7 and the pivoting movement of the pedal 7 is then transmitted to the lower piston 6 which then moves back against the action of the return spring 5, the control spool remaining stationary This corresponds to the passage of the brake arms 4 in horizontal intermediate position (part B of FIG. 15 ) When continuing the downward movement of the shoe, movement causing it to be applied flat on the ski, the back of the sole of the shoe pushes the body 32 of the shoe Alonniere 33 to the rear, to ensure the engagement of this heel, and the retreat of the body 32, causes a rearward movement of the longitudinal rod 31 and the upper control spool 29 This drawer then releases the cleats 16 which can thus slide backwards in their housings 17 by releasing the brake arms 4, these arms being then retracted under the action of the

  springs 23 as previously described.

  When heaving, voluntary or safe, the aforementioned movements take place in the opposite direction, the body 32 of the heel 33 being pushed forward under the action of the heel recoil spring The tie rod 21 then brings the drawer of upper control 29 in its extreme forward position and the lower piston 6 is also pushed to its anterior end position by the spring 5.

Claims (11)

  Ski brake comprising a pair of stop arms (4) pivotally mounted about a horizontal and transverse axis (xx '), pivotable between an active braking position in which these arms project below the ski, and an inactive position in which the arms (4) extend substantially horizontally at a level a little higher than that of the upper surface (2 a) of the ski (2), an energy generating device (5, 6). ) with return spring (5) for normally passing the arms (4) to the active braking position, when a shoe is not applied to the ski, and actuating means (7, 9) for passing the arms (4) from their active braking position to their inactive position when a shoe is applied to the upper surface (2a) of the ski, each arm having an outer main segment (4a) forming a spade for planting in the snow, extending outside a song (2b) of the ski ( 2) in the active braking position, a central segment (4b) forming a transverse pivot axis extending above the upper surface (2a) of the ski (2), and an internal connecting segment (4c ) coupled to the energy generating device (5, 6), characterized in that the energy generating device (5, 6) is at least partially embedded in a longitudinal housing (11) formed in the ski (2) and opening in the upper surface (2a) thereof and the connecting segments (4c) of the arms (4) are   engaged in longitudinal housing (11).   2. Ski brake according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a housing (3) containing the energy generating device (5,6) and which is recessed   tightly in the longitudinal housing (11).   Ski brake according to Claim 2, characterized in that the energy generating device comprises a longitudinal compression spring (5) bearing, at its rear end, on a rear vertical and transverse wall (3 a) of the housing ( 3), and pushing forwards a piston (6) slidably mounted longitudinally in the housing (3) and which is coupled, at its   anterior part, to the connecting segments (4 c) of the arms (4).   Ski brake according to Claim 3, characterized in that the piston (6) of the energy-generating device is integral with an upwardly projecting member (12) above the rear part of the upper wall ( 3 b) of the housing (3) through a longitudinal slot formed in this upper wall, this body   (12) being coupled to the actuating means (9,7).   5. Ski brake according to any one of   Claims 3 and 4 characterized in that each segment   pivoting center (4b) of the stop arms (4) extends under a raised anterior part (3c) of the upper wall (3b) of the casing (3), between this raised part (3c) and the upper surface of the ski (2), and is housed in a bearing space (19) delimited between two bearing surfaces   anterior (20 a) and posterior (18 a).   Ski brake according to Claim 5, characterized in that the anterior bearing surface (20a) delimiting the bearing space (19) towards the front extends transversely, the rear bearing surface (18a) ), defining the rearward bearing space (19), is inclined outwardly and rearwardly and resilient means (23) are provided for biasing each pivoting central segment (4b) rearwardly; ) and a sliding cleat (16) which is in contact with the central pivoting segment 4b, behind the control thereof, and which can be locked or released by a longitudinally sliding element (6,29), according to the longitudinal position of this element. Ski brake according to Claim 6, characterized in that each cleat (16) is slidably mounted in a housing (17) formed in a block (18) arranged and fixed below the raised anterior part (3c). the upper wall (3b) of the housing (3), this block terminating forwards by a face constituting the rear bearing surface (18c) delimiting rearwardly the bearing space (19), each housing (17) is drilled through the block (18) in a direction inclined outwards and forwards, and the rear end of each cleat (16) is in contact with a longitudinal side ramp (14) of the control element (6,29), recessed with respect to a longitudinal face of this control element (6,29), or with a chamfered intermediate face (22) connecting the front end face (21). ) of the control element and each lateral ramp (14), following   the longitudinal position of the control element (6,29).   Ski brake according to Claim 7, characterized in that the control element of the cleats (16)   is constituted by the upper part of the piston (6).   9. Ski brake according to claim 7 characterized in that the control element of the catches (16) is constituted by an upper slide (29), independent of the lower piston (6), slidably mounted on the piston and connected, a longitudinal tie rod (31), the body (32), movable longitudinally, a rear fastening (33) so that the upper control spool (29) follows the movement of the movable body (32) of the rear attachment ( 33). 10. Ski brake according to any one of   Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the piston (6)   has, at its front end, a hook (27) coupled to a connecting piece (24) pierced with two parallel holes (29) in which are respectively engaged the connecting segments (4 c) of the two arms (4), whereby the longitudinal sliding movement of the piston causes rotation of the connecting piece (24) about the transverse axis. 11 ski brake according to claim 10 characterized in that the connecting piece (24) is constituted by a yoke comprising two wings (24 a) extending rearwardly from a transverse web (24 b) in which are drilled holes (29) receiving the connecting segments (4 c), the two wings (24 a) of the yoke are connected by a transverse axis (25) engaged behind the front hook (27) of the piston (6). and slidable on the upper face of this hook, so that the longitudinal sliding movement of the piston (6) towards the rear causes a rotation of the connecting yoke (24) upwards in a horizontal position in which the segments 4 c) of the arms (4) are vertical, and that a longitudinal sliding movement of the piston (6) towards the front causes a rotation of the connecting yoke (24) downwards so that the link segments (4 c) of the arms (4) are inclined t down and back to front.