Ski binding and skis with mounted ski binding

Abstract

Ski binding for one ski, comprising a heel holder (1) and a toe piece for inserting a ski boot and a ski-fixed guide structure, wherein the heel holder (1) has a housing (2) which can be movably arranged on the guide structure in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and a pressure mechanism (8) with a pre-tensioned pressure spring (10) and an adjusting spindle (9) acted upon by this spring, the position of which relative to the guide structure can be fixed and is infinitely adjustable, wherein the pressure spring (10) surrounds a front spindle section (14) of the adjusting spindle (9) and wherein the ski binding can be adjusted to the ski boot to be inserted.The pressure spring (10) is set so that when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding, it does not exert any pressure force and only comes into effect when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding during a backward movement of the housing (2) as a result of a force acting from the ski boot on the heel holder (1) with additional compression.The pressure spring (10) is supported at one end on a rear spindle section (13) and at its other end on a plate-shaped pressure receiving element (15) mounted on the front end of the front spindle section (14), which has a central opening and is movably arranged on the adjusting spindle (9) and is pressed by the pre-tensioned pressure spring (10) against a stop element (16) attached to the front end of the front spindle section (14), wherein the pressure receiving element (15) is engaged and held by a housing-fixed stop part (19) during a rearward sliding movement of the housing (2) as a result of a force acting on the heel holder (1) from the ski boot inserted into the ski binding.

Description

Description Ski binding and skis with mounted ski binding The invention relates to a ski binding for a ski, comprising a heel holder and a toe piece for inserting a ski boot, and a guide structure that can be fixed to the ski. The heel holder has a housing that can be movably mounted on the guide structure in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and a pressure mechanism with a pressure spring, in particular a pre-tensioned one, and an adjusting spindle actuated by the spring, the position of which relative to the guide structure can be fixed and is infinitely adjustable. The invention further relates to a ski with such a ski binding mounted. Typically, heel catches in safety ski bindings incorporate a pressure mechanism that ensures the ski boot is pressed against the toe piece of the binding when the boot is inserted. One common and well-known pressure mechanism preferably features a helical compression spring extending lengthwise along the ski when the heel catch is mounted. This slightly pre-tensioned spring is supported at one end by an adjustment spindle and at the other end by the housing, which is slidably mounted on a ski-mounted rail. The adjustment spindle engages with a threaded section on its outer surface either in detents on the ski-mounted rail or in detents on a coupling strap connected to the toe piece, allowing adjustment of the distance between the toe piece and the heel catch.The position of the adjustment spindle relative to the ski-fixed base structure – the rail or the coupling strap – is infinitely adjustable. When stepping into the ski binding, the ski boot, inserted into the heel holder, moves the housing backwards on the rail against the force of the pressure spring, so that the now correspondingly more compressed and pre-tensioned pressure spring clamps the ski boot into the / 24. The toe piece and heel holder of the ski binding are responsible for this. With this well-known pressure mechanism, inserting the ski boot into the binding causes a slight tilting of the heel holder by the ski boot, which in turn results in a slight bending of the ski. This is particularly noticeable to sporty skiers and is undesirable, as it affects the ski's flex characteristics. The invention is based on the objective of preventing the aforementioned tilting of the heel holder and the associated influence on the bending characteristics of the ski in a heel holder of the type mentioned above with a pressure mechanism. The problem set out in the invention is solved by installing the pressure spring within the pressure mechanism in such a pre-tensioned manner and by adjusting the ski binding to the ski boot to be used in such a way that the pressure spring does not exert any pressure force when a ski boot is inserted into the ski binding and that, when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding, it only comes into effect with additional compression during a backward movement of the housing as a result of a force acting from the ski boot on the heel holder. In a ski binding according to the invention, the pressure spring in the heel holder is therefore installed with a greater or increased preload than in a conventional ski binding. The ski binding is adapted to the respective ski boot to be used – i.e., its size or length – such that the pressure spring has no effect when the ski boot is inserted into the binding, i.e., it is not compressed further. Further compression of the pressure spring only occurs when its effect is desired or required, namely with even a very slight backward movement of the heel holder or its housing. This ensures that the heel holder no longer tilts when the ski boot is inserted into the binding, and therefore the flex characteristics of the ski are not affected when the ski boot is inserted.The greater compression of the pressure spring compared to pressure springs in conventional heel rests ensures that the pressure force is correspondingly high when it is "needed". / 24 Preferably, the pre-tensioned pressure spring is provided that, with the ski boot inserted into the ski binding, a backward movement of the housing by up to a few tenths of millimeters, in particular by 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, as a result of a force acting from the ski boot on the heel holder under additional compression. The pressure spring therefore only takes effect when it is needed. In one possible, very simple design, the pre-tensioned pressure spring is supported at one end by the adjusting spindle and at the other end by the housing or an intermediate part supported in the housing, which increases its compression. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure spring is supported on a pressure-receiving element movably arranged on the adjusting spindle. During a backward sliding movement of the housing, caused by a force exerted on the heel holder by the ski boot inserted into the ski binding, this pressure-receiving element is engaged and held by a stop fixed to the housing. In this way, simple mechanical means ensure that the pressure spring is activated when it is intended to be activated. As already mentioned, the pressure mechanism contains a pressure spring that is already pre-tensioned to a correspondingly higher degree. Preferably, the available space in the housing should be used to install a correspondingly pre-tensioned pressure spring in the pressure mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by the pressure spring surrounding a front spindle section of the adjusting spindle and supporting itself at one end against a rear spindle section and at its other end against the pressure receiving element, which is pressed by the pre-tensioned pressure spring against a stop element attached to the front end of the front spindle section. To ensure optimal functioning of the pressure mechanism, a good coordination of the arrangement of individual components of the housing and the pressure mechanism is advantageous. In this context, it is preferred if, in the unloaded position of the heel holder without a ski boot inserted, there is a gap between the pressure-absorbing element and the housing-fixed stop which essentially corresponds to the rearward offset of the heel holder when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding, wherein this gap reduces to a narrow gap when the ski boot is inserted, which preferably has a width of up to a few tenths of a millimeter, in particular a width of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. Preferably, the pressure mechanism also includes an auxiliary spring that is weaker than the pressure spring. This auxiliary spring is arranged in front of and aligned with the pressure spring, and is supported at one end on the outside of the pressure-receiving element and at the other end firmly against the housing. This auxiliary spring is preferably installed such that, in the unloaded position of the heel holder (without a ski boot inserted), it pushes the housing forward relative to the adjusting spindle to such an extent that a rear spindle section of the adjusting spindle is supported on the inside of the housing against the edge of a rear opening in the housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the rear end of the pressure spring is supported on a spring abutment positioned on the adjusting spindle, which is not rotatable relative to the housing, wherein the housing is movable relative to the spring abutment and the adjusting spindle in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. Both the compression spring and the auxiliary spring are, in particular, helical compression springs that ensure the desired function in a particularly reliable manner. A ski binding designed according to the invention is mounted on a ski according to the invention and adapted to the ski boot to be used in such a way that the pressure spring does not exert any pressure force when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding. Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which illustrates exemplary embodiments. Figure 24 shows... Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a heel holder according to the invention for a safety ski binding in the closed state in a position mounted on the ski without a ski boot inserted. Fig. 2 shows a view of the underside of the heel support from Fig. 1 with a pressure mechanism, Figs. 3 and 4 show views of the underside of the heel holder with the pressure mechanism in a position with the ski boot inserted. Fig. 3 with an additional spring and Fig. 4 without an additional spring and Figs. 5 and 6 show views of the heel holder with the pressure mechanism in a position with the ski boot inserted and under the action of the pressure spring of the pressure mechanism. Fig. 5 with additional spring and Fig. 6 without additional spring, Fig. 7 shows a view of the underside of a heel holder with a further embodiment of the invention in a position mounted on the ski, in which the pressure mechanism has no effect, and Fig. 8 shows a view of the underside of the heel holder according to Fig. 7, but in a position with the ski boot inserted and under the effect of the pressure mechanism. Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a heel retainer 1 of a safety ski binding. The second binding part of the safety ski binding, a toe piece, is not part of the invention and can be designed in a conventional manner. The toe piece and the heel retainer can be connected in a manner known per se by a band-like connecting structure, which allows adjustment of the mutual distance between the two binding parts to adapt to the ski boot size. The safety ski binding can be a downhill or touring binding, or a combined downhill and touring binding. In the description and in the / 24 Position terms used in claims, such as front and back, refer to a binding mounted on a ski. The heel holder 1 comprises a housing 2, a control element 3 actuated by a tensioning or release device 6, a sole holder 4, and an opening lever 5. The sole holder 4 is pivotally mounted on a housing-fixed pivot axis 4a and is actuated by the control element 3, which is actuated by the tensioning device 6. The tensioning device 6 includes a spring assembly 6a, which is pre-tensioned in a manner known per se and whose pre-tension is adjustable via an adjusting screw not further specified. The opening lever 5 interacts in a manner known per se with the sole holder 4 and the control element 3, which is mounted on a housing-fixed pivot axis 3a, such that by actuating or depressing the opening lever 5, the sole holder 4 can be moved in a known manner into a position that releases an inserted ski boot or into a position ready for entry. A heel holder 1 with such a design is known per se. The housing 2 has a lower housing part 7 in which, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 to 8, a pressure mechanism 8 (Figs. 1 to 6) or 8' (Figs. 7 and 8) is accommodated. The lower housing part 7 is provided with lateral guide elements 2a, which allow the housing 2 to be slid into or onto a ski-mounted guide structure, which is only visible in Fig. 1. The ski-mounted guide structure is, for example, a guide rail attached to the ski. In the variant shown in Figures 2 to 6, the pressure mechanism 8 comprises as its main components an adjusting spindle 9, a pressure spring 10, a pressure receiving element 15, and an auxiliary spring 12. The adjusting spindle 9 includes a front spindle section 14 and a rear spindle section 13 with a section having an external thread 13a and a threadless end section 13b, which, in the position of the heel holder 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, projects outwards through a rear opening 7a in the lower housing part 7 and extends beyond the rear end of the lower housing part 7 by a defined distance a1 (Figure 1), which is a few millimeters, for example, 4.0 mm. The end section 13b is provided with a slot 13c on its outer end to allow the insertion of an adjusting tool on the adjusting spindle 9.When the heel holder 1 is slid onto the ski-mounted guide structure, the external thread 13a engages in detent recesses formed on the ski-mounted guide structure or on a coupling band connected to the toe piece, thus enabling stepless adjustment of the position of the adjusting spindle 9 and, consequently, fine-tuning of the distance between the heel holder and the toe piece. The housing 2, and therefore the components of the heel holder 1 located on or in the housing 2, remain movable within a certain range in the longitudinal direction of the ski relative to the adjusting spindle 9, which is thus positioned in a ski-mounted position, as will be described below. The rear spindle section 13, which is provided with the external thread 13a, has a larger outer diameter than the front spindle section 14, onto which the pressure spring 10, a helical compression spring, is mounted. The pressure spring 10, which is already relatively strongly pre-tensioned or pre-compressed, is inserted between the rear spindle section 13 and a plate-shaped pressure receiving element 15, which has a central opening and is mounted on the front end of the front spindle section 14. During assembly of the pressure mechanism 8, the pressure receiving element 15 is placed onto the front end of the front spindle section 14, and with the pressure spring 10 pre-tensioned or compressed, a stop element 16 is attached in front of the pressure receiving element 15.The pressure receiving element 15 is thus pressed against the stop element 16 by the pre-tensioned pressure spring 10 and is basically movable relative to the spindle section 13 under further compression of the pressure spring 10. The "pre-compression" of the pressure spring 10 essentially corresponds to the compression that a conventionally installed pressure spring exhibits after the ski boot is inserted and the binding is precisely adjusted to the sole length of the ski boot, or after the pressure in the binding has been precisely set. The pressure spring 10 therefore occupies an installation space that is shorter by this "compression path". / 24 In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the rear end of the pressure spring 10 is not directly supported on the rear spindle section 13, but rather on a separate spring abutment 18, which is in particular a plate with a central opening. The spring abutment 18 is held or supported on the housing 2 in such a way that it is not rotatable relative to the housing 2, but the housing 2 is movable relative to the spring abutment 18 and the adjusting spindle 9 in the longitudinal direction of the spindle. At the front end of the lower housing part 7, a receptacle 20 is formed for the auxiliary spring 12. This auxiliary spring is a further, weaker helical compression spring compared to the pressure spring 10, and is arranged in front of and aligned with the pressure spring 10. The receptacle 20 is bounded at its front end by a support 17 oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the adjusting spindle 9, against which one end of the auxiliary spring 12 is supported. The other end of the auxiliary spring 12 acts on the pressure receiving element 15. The auxiliary spring 12 is designed with respect to its spring force such that it is positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.In the position of the heel holder 1 shown in Figure 2, the unloaded position without a ski boot inserted, the housing 2 and thus the heel holder 1 are pushed forward relative to the adjusting spindle 9 so far that the part of the rear spindle section 13 with the external thread 13a is supported on the inside of the housing against the edge of the opening 7a, so that the end of the adjusting spindle 9 projects outwards beyond the housing 2 by a distance a1. In this position, the pressure-receiving element 15 is located at a distance a2 from a stop element 19 formed on the lower housing part 7 and oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the adjusting spindle 9. The stop element 19 is, for example, a component of the lower housing part 7 shaped as a circular segment or ring at the rear end region of the receptacle 20 formed on the lower housing part 7 for the auxiliary spring 12.The distance a2 is a few millimeters, for example about 4.2 mm, and corresponds at least to the distance a1 or is in particular at least 0.05 mm larger than a1. / 24 The ratio of the spring force of the auxiliary spring 12, in its position with the ski boot inserted into the ski binding (Figs. 3 and 4), to the spring force of the pressure spring 10 in its pre-tensioned position (Figs. 1 and 2 as well as Figs. 3 and 4) is in particular 1:5 to 1:6. Figures 3 and 4 show the position of the pressure mechanism 8 and the housing 2 in a position of the heel retainer 1 with the ski boot inserted into the ski binding and the binding precisely adjusted to the sole length of the ski boot. When the ski boot is inserted, the housing 2 is moved backwards slightly against the weak force and by compressing the auxiliary spring 12. The extent of this movement is determined by the pre-set distance between the heel retainer and the toe piece. This distance is set such that the gap a2 between the stop element 19 and the pressure-receiving element 15 is reduced to a narrow gap, so that a2 in this position of the heel retainer is preferably a few tenths of a millimeter, in particular 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. The pressure spring 10 is therefore not actuated and remains inactive, since the pressure-receiving element 15 does not come into contact with the stop element 19.When skiing with a ski boot in place, if a backward force acts on the heel holder 1 or the housing 2 in the longitudinal direction of the ski, for example due to ski flexion or release of the toe piece, causing a slight backward displacement of the housing 2 on the ski-mounted guide structure, the pressure-receiving element 15 is engaged and held by the stop 19. With each further backward movement of the heel holder 1 or the housing 2, the pressure spring 10 is further compressed. Figures 5 and 6 show this position of the pressure mechanism 8, where it can be seen that the pressure spring 10 has been compressed and there is a gap between the stop 16 and the pressure-receiving element 15 held by the stop 19 (Figure 6). In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pressure mechanism 8' also has an adjusting spindle 9' and a pressure spring 10'. The adjusting spindle 9' has a spindle section 13' with an external thread 13'a and an end section 13'b, which is provided with a slot 13'c into which an adjusting tool can be inserted. In this embodiment as well, the external thread 13'a engages in detent recesses formed on the / 24 ski-mounted guide structure or on a coupling band, analogous to the embodiment already described. Opposite the end section 13'b, a short spindle section 14' adjoins the spindle section 13', which is surrounded by one, the rear, end of the pressure spring 10', which is supported at this end by a spring abutment 18' located on the adjusting spindle 9'.The spring abutment 18' is, analogous to the first embodiment, held in the housing 2 in such a way that it is not rotatable relative to the housing 2, but the housing 2 is movable relative to the spring abutment 18' and the adjusting spindle 9' in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The second end of the pressure spring 10' rests on a housing-mounted abutment 21, which is either an integral part of the housing 2 or a separate intermediate section. In this configuration, the pressure spring 10' is pre-compressed, analogous to the first embodiment; its pre-compression therefore essentially corresponds to the compression that a conventional pressure spring exhibits, or should exhibit, after a ski boot has been inserted into the ski binding. Fig. 7 shows a position in which, with the ski binding mounted, the mutual distance of the binding jaws is adjusted to the respective boot size such that the ski boot, when inserted into the binding, does not push the heel holder backward and the pressure spring 10' is not further compressed. In this position, the end of the adjusting spindle 9' preferably covers the opening in the housing 2 flush with the rear surface. The adjusting spindle 9' therefore neither protrudes from the housing 2 nor is its end located inside the housing 2. As mentioned, no further compression of the pressure spring 10' occurs when inserting or removing a ski boot from the binding. Fig. 8 shows a position in which, for example when skiing with a ski boot inserted in the binding and during ski flexion or when the toe piece is released, a backward force acts on the heel holder 1 or the housing 2, such that the housing 2 is moved slightly backward on the ski-fixed guide structure. Now the pressure spring 10' is further compressed and comes into effect. Even in this design, a slight movement of up to a few tenths of a millimeter is sufficient. Naturally, the individual parts of the pressure mechanism 8, 8' and the parts of the lower housing 7 that interact with these 5 parts must be designed, constructed, and adapted in such a way that the pressure mechanism 8, 8' ensures the described mode of operation. The position of the heel rest relative to the toe piece must also be adjusted accordingly. / 24 Reference number list 1. Heel holder 2.......................Housing a...................... Guide element Control unit a...................... Swivel axis Sole holder 4a.....................Swivel axis Opening lever Clamping or release device 6a..................spring package Lower housing part 7a.....................rear opening , 8'..................pressure mechanism 9, 9'..................Adjusting spindle , 10'..............Pressure spring 12. Additional spring 13, 13'..............Spindle section a, 13'a..........External thread 13b, 13'b.......... End section 13c, 13'c..........slot , 14'.............. spindle section 15 ..................... Pressure receiving element 16. Stop element 17. Support, 18'..............Spring abutment 19. Stop part 20.....................Recording 21.....................Abutments a1, a2.................Spacing

Claims

1. Claims 1. Ski binding for a ski, comprising a heel holder (1) and a toe piece for inserting a ski boot and a ski-fixed guide structure, wherein the heel holder (1) has a housing (2) which can be movably arranged on the guide structure in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and a pressure mechanism (8, 8') with a pre-tensioned pressure spring (10, 10') and an adjusting spindle (9, 9') acted upon by this spring, the position of which relative to the guide structure can be fixed and is infinitely adjustable, characterized in that the pressure spring (10, 10') is installed pre-tensioned within the pressure mechanism (8, 8') and the ski binding can be adjusted to the ski boot to be inserted.The setting is such that the pressure spring (10, 10') does not exert any pressure force when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding and that, when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding, it only comes into effect with additional compression during a backward movement of the housing (2) as a result of a force acting from the ski boot on the heel holder (1).

2. Ski binding according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-tensioned pressure spring (10, 10) comes into effect with additional compression when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding and the housing (2) moves backward by up to a few tenths of a millimeter, in particular by 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, as a result of a force acting from the ski boot on the heel holder (1). 14 / 24 3. Ski binding according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure spring (10, 10) is installed with increased preload within the pressure mechanism.

4. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pre-tensioned pressure spring (10') is supported at one end on the adjusting spindle (9') and at the other end on the housing (2) or an intermediate part supported in the housing (2) which increases its compression.

5. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure spring (10) is supported on a pressure receiving element (15) movably arranged on the adjusting spindle (9), which, in the event of a backward sliding movement of the housing (2) as a result of a force acting on the heel holder (1) from the ski boot inserted into the ski binding, is engaged and held by a housing-fixed stop (19).

6. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3 or 5, characterized in that the pressure spring (10) surrounds a front spindle section (14) of the adjusting spindle (9) and is supported with one end on a rear spindle section (13) and with its second end on the pressure receiving element (15), which is pressed by the pre-tensioned pressure spring (10) against a stop element (16) attached to the front end of the front spindle section (14).

7. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 or 6, characterized in that in the unloaded position of the heel holder (1) without a ski boot inserted, there is a gap (a2) between the pressure-absorbing element (15) and the housing-fixed stop (19), which essentially corresponds to the rearward offset of the heel holder (1) when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding, wherein this gap (a2) is reduced to a narrow gap when the ski boot is inserted, which in particular has a width of up to 15 / 24 to a few tenths of millimeters, in particular of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm.

8. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3, or 5 to 7, characterized in that the pressure mechanism (8) has an additional spring (12) which is weaker than the pressure spring (10) and is arranged in front of and aligned with the pressure spring (10) and is supported with one end on the outside of the pressure receiving element (15) and with the other end is fixed to the housing.

9. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 8, characterized in that the additional spring (12) in the unloaded position of the heel holder (1), without a ski boot inserted, pushes the housing (2) forward relative to the adjusting spindle (9) so far that a rear spindle section (13) is supported on the inside of the housing against the edge of a rear opening (7a) of the housing (2).

10. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rear end of the pressure spring (10, 10') is supported on a spring abutment (18, 18') positioned on the adjusting spindle (9, 9') which is not rotatable relative to the housing (2), wherein the housing (2) is movable relative to the spring abutment (18, 18') and the adjusting spindle (9, 9') in the longitudinal direction of the spindle.

11. Ski binding according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the compression spring (8) and the optionally provided additional spring (12) are helical compression springs.

12. Ski with a mounted ski binding according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, which ski binding is adapted to the ski boot to be used in such a way that the pressure spring (8, 8') does not exert any pressure force when the ski boot is inserted into the ski binding.