Heel unit for a touring binding

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heel unit (10) for a ski-ski binding, in particular a touring binding, comprising a binding body (18) to be attached to a base (12) or to a ski-ski surface, which includes a housing (20), two coupling pins (22) arranged substantially side by side for engaging in recesses of a heel section of a boot to fix the boot to the heel unit (10), wherein the coupling pins (22) are mounted in the housing (20) and, in a downhill position of the heel unit (10), project from the binding body (18) in a ski-ski longitudinal direction (X), in particular in a forward direction, and at least one of the coupling pins (22) is movable relative to the other coupling pin (22) between a downhill position and a my-release position, and a my-release mechanism, which is substantially contained in the housing (20) and is configured toto pre-tension at least one of the coupling pins (22) towards its departure position such that the heel section of the shoe is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins (22) about a sliding board transverse axis (Y) exceeds a My release torque threshold, wherein the My release mechanism comprises a My release cam (28) which is provided on the housing (20) or a housing-fixed section of the heel unit (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heel unit for a ski-ski binding, in particular a touring binding, comprising a binding body to be attached to a base or to a ski-ski surface, which includes or is formed by a housing, two coupling pins arranged substantially side by side for engaging in recesses of a heel section of a boot in order to fix the boot to the heel unit, wherein the coupling pins are mounted in the housing and, in a downhill position of the heel unit, project from the binding body in a ski-ski longitudinal direction, in particular in a forward direction, and at least one of the coupling pins is movable relative to the other coupling pin between a downhill position and a my-release position, and a my-release mechanism, which is substantially contained in the housing and is configured toto pre-tension at least one of the coupling pins towards its departure position in such a way that the heel section of the shoe is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins about a transverse axis of the sliding board exceeds a µ-release torque threshold.

[0002] The heel units discussed in the present disclosure are, in particular, heel units for touring ski bindings, the binding body of which is to be attached to a touring ski. However, splitboards (snowboards that can be divided longitudinally, the halves of which can be used like touring skis) or similar devices are equally suitable as gliding boards to which a heel unit according to the invention is to be attached, so that the invention also relates to heel units for bindings of such gliding boards, although the following reference is made, without limiting the subject matter of the invention, mainly to touring ski bindings.

[0003] A generic heel unit of the type described above is known, for example, from DE 10 2010 028 764 A1. The movement of the coupling pins relative to each other against an elastic tension force allows a μ-release, also called frontal release, i.e., a release or triggering of a sliding board shoe when a torque is applied about a sliding board transverse axis (Y-axis), if this torque exceeds a μ-release torque.

[0004] Mz and My are the release values ​​of the binding. Mz is the torque for release when the boot rotates within the binding. My is the torque for release during a forward tilt, such as a forward fall.

[0005] Disadvantages of such conventional heel units and their mu-release mechanisms include the need for force transmission between several components, as in the case of DE 10 2010 028 764 A1, at least between transmission elements, spring elements, and a yoke with an mu-release cam formed therein. This results in considerable friction, which reduces the efficiency of the mu-release mechanisms and leads to losses in force transmission.

[0006] Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a heel unit with a My-release mechanism, wherein the heel unit can be manufactured with reduced design effort, reduced cost, reduced size and / or reduced weight.

[0007] According to the present invention, the problem formulated above is solved by a heel unit for a ski-ski binding, in particular a touring binding, comprising a binding body to be attached to a base or to a ski-ski surface, which includes or is formed by a housing, two coupling pins arranged substantially side by side for engaging in recesses of a heel section of a boot in order to fix the boot to the heel unit, wherein the coupling pins are mounted in the housing and, in a downhill position of the heel unit, project from the binding body in a ski-ski longitudinal direction, in particular in a forward direction, and at least one of the coupling pins is movable relative to the other coupling pin between a downhill position and a My release position, and a My release mechanism, which is substantially contained in the housing and is configured toto pre-tension at least one of the coupling pins towards its departure position such that the heel section of the shoe is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins about a transverse axis of the sliding board exceeds a My-release torque threshold, wherein the My-release mechanism comprises a My-release cam which is provided on the housing or a housing-fixed section of the heel unit.

[0008] According to an important feature of the present invention, a My-release mechanism is thus realized without the need for an additional component. This allows the heel unit to be manufactured more cost-effectively and with less weight. A release mechanism is a guide surface provided on a component of the heel unit, which, by guiding functional elements of a release mechanism, for example, a guide for the coupling pins, defines a release behavior of the heel unit or establishes a release curve and thus also determines a release value. A similar principle applies to an entry process. A torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins about the transverse axis of the sliding board can constitute a release or entry process. In this process, one of the coupling pins moves relative to the other, and in particular both coupling pins move relative to each other, in order to release the shoe (release process) or engage it (entry process).It should be noted that in the present invention, the housing is defined in particular in such a way that it accommodates a large part of the functional elements of the heel unit.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the My trigger mechanism can be provided on an inside of the housing, thereby protecting the trigger mechanism from external influences such as snow, ice or dust.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the binding body can be made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the mu-release mechanism can preferably be made of a plastic material. In particular, polyoxymethylene (POM) or glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PAGF) can be used. The use of plastic is comparatively cost-effective, offers a particularly high degree of design freedom, and can advantageously result in less friction between the components and, in particular, a lower weight for the heel unit. Alternatively, for example, if greater stability or strength is required, metals such as aluminum, titanium, steel, or alloys thereof can also be used. In addition, the mu-release mechanism can also be implemented, for example, by an insert, such as a sheet metal insert, or a coating.

[0011] Furthermore, the housing can essentially enclose the My release mechanism. In other words, the My release mechanism can be contained or housed within the housing. As mentioned, the My release mechanism can be located on the inside of the housing and thus also considered enclosed by it. This provides better protection for the My release mechanism against external elements such as snow, ice, dust, etc. It is particularly important that the housing, in addition to the My release mechanism, essentially encloses a large portion of the binding's functional components.

[0012] Furthermore, the My release mechanism can comprise a first spring element located between a first spring stop element and a second spring stop element, wherein the first spring stop element is movable relative to the housing of the binding body, in particular along a sliding board longitudinal direction, and wherein the second spring stop element is fixed to the housing or integral with the housing of the binding body. The mobility of one of the two spring stop elements ensures that the first spring element can be compressed upon release. Alternatively, it is also possible that the second spring stop element is movable relative to the housing of the binding body, in particular along a sliding board longitudinal direction, and the first spring stop element is fixed to the housing or integral with the housing of the binding body.In particular, one of the two spring stop elements can be guided in the housing along the longitudinal direction of the sliding board.

[0013] Furthermore, each coupling pin can have a coupling pin projection designed to engage in one of the recesses in the heel section of the boot, and a coupling pin retention section that is pivotally mounted on a housing-fixed pin bearing section of the heel unit, or optionally on the second spring stop element. The coupling pin projections are designed to couple the boot to the heel unit, while the coupling pin retention sections provide the pivotal movement of the coupling pins necessary for release (My-release) and entry. The housing-fixed pin bearing sections ensure that the coupling pins are securely fastened to the housing of the heel unit's binding body.

[0014] Preferably, at least one, and preferably each, of the coupling pins can be provided with a transmission element which is rigidly or integrally connected to the coupling pin and which is configured to interact with the My-release mechanism, particularly during a My-release. Furthermore, the first spring element can advantageously be configured to exert a spring force on the transmission element via the first spring stop element in order to pre-tension the at least one of the coupling pins towards its release position. Such transmission elements can be wedge-shaped, in particular, but any other shape is also conceivable. The design of the transmission element(s) can influence the release behavior or release curve just as much as the design of the My-release mechanism, thus offering many design possibilities.However, it is considered particularly advantageous if the shape of the transmission element is essentially adapted to the shape of the My release mechanism. Furthermore, contact between the first spring stop element and the transmission element allows at least one of the coupling pins to be pre-tensioned towards the departure position by the spring force of the first spring element acting on the spring stop element.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the My release mechanism can comprise an adjustment arrangement configured to set the My release torque threshold, wherein the adjustment arrangement includes a first adjusting screw configured to change the preload of the first spring element. By changing the preload of the first spring element, the My release torque threshold can be adapted particularly easily to different user weights and riding abilities by means of the first adjusting screw.

[0016] Furthermore, the binding body can preferably be rotatable about a pivot axis orthogonal to a skid plate plane to allow adjustment of the heel unit between the downhill and touring positions. This pivot axis can also be referred to in the present disclosure as the vertical axis. By rotating the binding body about such a pivot axis, the heel unit can be easily and particularly user-friendly adjusted between the downhill and touring positions. Thus, the housing can also be rotatable about the pivot axis, in particular exclusively about the pivot axis (Z-axis), and fixed with respect to an X-axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the skid plate and a Y-axis extending transversely to the skid plate and perpendicular to both the Z-axis and the X-axis.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel unit can further comprise an Mz release mechanism with a second spring element, wherein the Mz release mechanism is configured to pre-tension the binding body such that the heel unit is in the downhill position and that the heel section of the boot is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins about an axis orthogonal to a skidboard plane exceeds an Mz release torque threshold, optionally wherein the My release mechanism comprises an adjustment arrangement configured to adjust the Mz release torque threshold, wherein the adjustment arrangement comprises a second adjusting screw configured to change a pre-tension of the second spring element.The Mz release mechanism can advantageously provide increased safety in the event of a so-called lateral release caused by a fall and the associated rotation of the boot relative to the heel unit or around a Z-axis. Furthermore, by changing the preload of the second spring element, the Mz release torque threshold can be easily adjusted to different user weights and skill levels using the second adjustment screw.

[0018] Furthermore, the housing can essentially enclose the Mz release mechanism. In other words, the Mz release mechanism can be housed or mounted within the housing. This provides better protection for the Mz release mechanism against external influences such as snow, ice, dust, etc.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel unit can further comprise a first climbing aid which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position and which is pivotably mounted on the heel unit, in particular on the binding body, about a pivot axis, wherein in a touring position of the heel unit the first climbing aid in its active position supports a sole section of the shoe at a first predetermined height above a sliding board plane.Furthermore, the heel unit can also include a second climbing aid, which is adjustable between an active and a passive position and which is pivotably mounted on the heel unit, particularly on the binding body, about a pivot axis. In the touring position of the heel unit, the second climbing aid, in its active position, supports the sole section of the boot at a second predetermined height above the glide board plane. At the first predetermined height, the sole section is closer to the glide board plane than at the second predetermined height. Optionally, the first climbing aid and the second climbing aid share a common pivot axis. A climbing aid for supporting the sole section of the boot at a predetermined height above the glide board plane allows the user to adjust the heel unit to different gradients when walking on terrain of varying steepness.An additional second climbing aid can be advantageous for greater variability regarding the adjustable support height. Alternatively, a pivoting mounting of the first climbing aid at the base of the heel unit is also conceivable. A pivoting mounting of the first climbing aid on any component allows for easy operation of the climbing aid by simply rotating it around the pivot axis. Alternatively, a pivoting mounting of the first climbing aid at the base of the heel unit or on the first climbing aid itself is also conceivable. Again, a pivoting mounting of the second climbing aid in this case allows for easy operation of the climbing aid by simply rotating it around the pivot axis.By using only one pivot axis for both climbing aids, ease of operation is ensured, and the simpler design of the heel unit with fewer components makes it more cost-effective to manufacture and lighter overall. Both climbing aids can be pre-tensioned into their active and passive positions, respectively, with a dead-center detent, or pre-tensioned into one of the active and passive positions and releasably locked in the untensioned position.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel unit can also comprise a braking arrangement comprising a pedal having a tread surface for a sole section of the shoe on its side facing away from the gliding board, and at least one braking arm mounted on the base or the gliding board and on the pedal, wherein the braking arrangement is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position and wherein the braking arrangement is elastically pre-tensioned in the braking position. Such a braking arrangement allows the gliding board to be slowed down in the event of a fall or loss, thus preventing loss and, above all, contributing to the safety of other snow sports enthusiasts.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the problem formulated above is solved by a sliding board binding, in particular a touring binding, comprising the heel unit according to the first aspect of the present invention. In particular, a touring binding is intended in connection with the present invention. Such a sliding board or touring binding offers the same or similar advantages as the heel unit according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings. Specifically, the drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a heel unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a side view of a binding body of the heel unit Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a sectional view along line AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the in Fig. 3. Detail marked with B, Fig. 5 a top view of the binding body of the heel unit Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 a section view along line CC in Fig. 5.

[0023] A heel unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is in Fig. 1 is generally designated by the reference symbol 10. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the heel unit 10.

[0024] A sliding board plane extends along a surface of the sliding board on which the heel unit 10 is mounted by means of a fastening arrangement 14 of a binding base 12, and a sliding board longitudinal axis extends in a sliding board longitudinal direction in the direction of travel of the sliding board. In this way, a coordinate system of the heel unit 10, sketched in the accompanying figures, is defined in which an X-direction extends in the direction of the sliding board longitudinal axis, a Z-direction extends upwards perpendicular to the sliding board plane, and a Y-direction extends perpendicular to both the Z-direction and the X-direction.

[0025] The heel unit 10 further comprises a binding body 18, which is directly or indirectly connected to the base 12. In the present embodiment, a slide 16 can be guided on the base 12 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal or travel direction of the heel unit 10, and the binding body 18 can be coupled to the slide 16 and thus indirectly connected to the base 12. The binding body 18 comprises a housing 20 or is formed by a housing 20. The housing 20 encloses a large part of the functional elements of the heel unit 10, which will be discussed in more detail later with reference to the other figures.

[0026] The binding body 20 is configured in a downhill position of the heel unit 10 to hold a heel section of a boot, and in a touring position of the heel unit 10 to release the heel section of the boot so that the boot can lift off the heel unit 10.

[0027] The heel unit 10 is in Fig. Figure 1 is shown in the descent position. In the present embodiment, the heel unit 10 can be adjusted between the descent position and the touring position by rotating the binding body 18 or the housing 20 about a rotation axis V orthogonal to the skid plate plane E, which is also referred to as the vertical axis or vertical axis V. The boot can be held in place by coupling pins 22 that are essentially parallel to each other and have coupling pin projections 23 that project from the binding body 20 or from the housing 20 and extend in a plane essentially parallel to the skid plate plane E in order to engage recesses provided in a heel section of the boot and to hold the heel section of the boot in place, thereby realizing the descent position of the heel unit 10.

[0028] Since in Fig. 1 where the rotation position is shown, the coupling pins 22 or the coupling pin projections 23 point in Fig. 1 in a forward direction of travel. In the present embodiment, if the binding body 18 or the housing 20 is rotated 180° about the vertical axis V, the coupling pins 22 point backwards in the direction of travel, so that the shoe is not engaged and can lift off the heel unit 10.

[0029] The heel unit 10 can further comprise a first climbing aid 38, which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, and a second climbing aid 40, which is also adjustable between an active position and a passive position. In the touring position of the heel unit 10, the first climbing aid 30, in its active position, supports a sole section of the shoe at a first predetermined height above a sliding board plane, and the second climbing aid 40, in its active position, supports the sole section of the shoe at a second predetermined height above the sliding board plane, wherein the sole section is located closer to the sliding board plane at the first predetermined height than at the second predetermined height.In the preferred embodiment, the first climbing aid 38 and the second climbing aid 40 can be pivotally mounted on the binding body 18, in particular the housing 20, about a common pivot axis S. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, both the first climbing aid 38 and the second climbing aid 40 can each comprise two arms extending to the left and right sides of the housing 20, and the climbing aids 38 and 40 can be mounted on the housing 20 at their end sections by means of the pivot axis S. Both climbing aids 38 and 40 can, in particular, be pre-tensioned into their active and passive positions with a dead-center pass, respectively, or be pre-tensioned into either the active or the passive position and releasably locked in the respective unpre-tensioned position.

[0030] Furthermore, the heel unit 10 can include a brake assembly 50, which is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position, wherein the brake assembly 50 is elastically pre-tensioned in the braking position. In Figure Fig. Figure 1 shows the brake assembly in the braking position. In this context, the present disclosure may also refer to the brake assembly 50 being locked in the sliding position or unlocked in the braking position. The brake assembly 50 comprises a pedal 52, which has a tread surface for the sole section of the shoe on its side facing away from the sliding board, and at least one, or in the present embodiment two, brake arms 60, which are mounted on the base 12 and on the pedal 52 and each have a brake section 62 at the arm end, which is configured to engage with a surface in the departure position of the heel unit 10 and in the braking position of the brake assembly 50, for example, when no shoe is coupled to the heel unit 10 to brake the sliding board due to a fall and the associated triggering.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a binding body of the heel unit. Fig. 1, Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view along line AA in Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the in Fig. 3. Detail marked with B.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 3. A first spring element 30 can be provided which can cause a preload of the coupling pins 22 towards each other in order to provide a frontal release (My release) for the heel unit 10. This spring element 30 can be part of a My release mechanism of the heel unit 10. The My release mechanism is essentially contained within the housing 20 and is configured to preload at least one of the coupling pins 22 towards its release position such that the heel section of the boot is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins 22 about a transverse axis Y of the ski board exceeds a My release torque threshold. The My release mechanism comprises a My release cam 28, which is provided on the housing 20 or on a housing-fixed section of the heel unit 10.In the present embodiment, the My release mechanism 28 is provided on an inner side of the housing 20, which essentially encloses the other components of the My release mechanism.

[0033] Furthermore, with reference to Fig. 3 The My release mechanism comprises the first spring element 30, which is located between a first spring stop element 32 and a second spring stop element 34. The first spring stop element 32 can also be referred to as a yoke 32 in the present disclosure and can be movably guided in the housing 20 along a longitudinal sliding plane with respect to the housing 20. The second spring stop element 34 can also be referred to as a spring shoe 34. In the present embodiment, it is fixed to the housing. Furthermore, the spring shoe 34 or the second spring stop element 34 can have a pin bearing section, which can also be fixed to the housing at another location and which is configured to pivotally mount coupling pin retaining sections 24 of the coupling pins 22. These retaining sections are provided at the ends of the coupling pins 22 opposite the coupling pin projections 23 and can, for example, each be provided as a spherical section.

[0034] With reference to Fig. 4. A transmission element 26 can be provided on at least one of the coupling pins 22. In the present embodiment, a transmission element 26 is provided on each of the coupling pins 22, which can be fixedly or integrally connected to the coupling pin 22 and which is configured to interact with the My-release mechanism 28, particularly during a My release. In the present embodiment, the transmission element 26 can, for example, be wedge-shaped and be fitted onto the respective coupling pin 22 by means of a locating connection. Alternatively, the transmission element 26 can be connected to the coupling pin 22 by means of an adhesive bond or be provided integrally with it. The first spring element 30 can be connected via the first spring stop element 32 or...the yoke 32 exerts a spring force on the transmission element 26 in order to pre-tension at least one of the coupling pins 22 to its departure position, in particular by pressing a contact section 33 of the yoke 32 against a surface of the transmission element 26 facing away from the coupling pin projections 23, in order in turn to press a surface of the transmission element 26 facing outwards with respect to the binding body 18 or the housing 20 against the My-release cam 26, which can be provided as a guide surface 26 on an inside of a housing.

[0035] When a torque about the Y-axis is applied to one or both coupling pins 22 or coupling pin projections 23, the transmission element 26 can slide against the spring force of the first spring element 30 on this guide surface 26 on the inside of the housing to guide the coupling pin 22 outwards along a path of movement defined by the guide surface until the My release force is exceeded and the heel section of the shoe is released. It should be noted again that this guide surface 26 represents the My release mechanism 26.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of the binding body of the heel unit. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a section view along line CC in Fig. 5.

[0037] In Fig. 6 can be seen that the My release mechanism can include an adjusting screw 35 by means of which a preload of the first spring means 30 can be changed in order to be able to adjust the My release torque threshold.

[0038] Furthermore, an in Fig. The second spring element 36 shown in Figure 6 is provided as part of an Mz release mechanism for pre-tensioning the rotational movement of the binding body 18 or the housing 20 about the axis of rotation V in order to provide a lateral release (Mz release) for the heel unit 10. The Mz release mechanism is configured to pre-tension the binding body 18 or the housing 20 such that the heel unit 10 is in the downhill position and that the heel section of the boot is released when a torque acting on at least one of the coupling pins 22 about an axis Z orthogonal to a skid plate plane exceeds an Mz release torque threshold.

[0039] As can be further seen, the Mz release mechanism can also include an adjusting screw 37, by means of which a preload of the second spring means 36 can be changed in order to be able to set an Mz release torque threshold value. Reference symbol list 10 Heel unit 12 Base 14 mounting holes 16 sleds 18 bonding bodies 20 cases 22 coupling pins 23 coupling pin projections 24 coupling pin holding sections 26 Transmission element 28 My trigger backdrop 30 first spring element 32 first spring stop element, yoke 33 Contact section 34 second spring stop element, spring shoe 35 first adjusting screw 36 second spring means 37 second adjusting screw 38 first climbing aid 40 second step aid 50 Brake arrangement 52 Pedal 60 Brake arm 62 Braking section S climbing aid swivel axle QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 028 764 A1 [0003, 0005]

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