SKI BRAKE WITH LOCKING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heel holder for a ski binding, such as a ski. The heel holder comprises a base, a heel unit, a pedal, and a ski brake. The pedal forms a first locking mechanism for the ski brake in a known manner.

[0002] The heel holder also includes a second lock for the ski brake, which locks the ski brake when the heel holder is not in a position suitable for skiing downhill.

[0003] Conventional pedal-operated ski brakes, which are only moved and held when the ski is put on the binding, are unsuitable, particularly for combined downhill and touring bindings. In this position, the ski brake is positioned next to the ski and has no braking effect, the brake is not held down. In touring mode, the heel holder pedal is no longer held down, which unlocks the brake. This is an unacceptable situation for touring, which is why ski straps are still used on combined downhill and touring bindings. However, skiers no longer accept these straps as a modern solution. In addition, conventional pedal-operated ski brakes have the disadvantage that they protrude downwards from the ski before the skier puts on the binding and after taking off the binding. This means that the transport volume of the skis is larger than it would be with the ski brake locked.

[0004] WO 2009 / 105866 A1 and WO 2012 / 024809 A1 show touring bindings with lockable ski brakes. The ski brakes are locked in touring mode, particularly by shifting the heel clamp parallel to the ski's longitudinal axis.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a heel holder with a ski brake which is reliably triggered, i.e., it exerts its braking effect when the heel holder is triggered during downhill skiing, for example due to a fall, but which is simultaneously held in a locked position when the ski is not in use or is being used as a touring ski.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0007] The invention relates to a heel holder for a ski, in particular for a ski, comprising a base, a heel unit, a ski brake, and a pedal that can be moved from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the pedal releases the ski brake for braking and, in a second position, holds the ski brake next to the ski in a position where the ski brake cannot brake the ski. The heel holder further comprises a lock for the ski brake, with which the ski brake can be locked when the pedal is in the second position.

[0008] In other words, in addition to the known first mechanical locking mechanism, which is achieved when the athlete steps into the binding and uses their weight to push the pedal from its first position above the ski surface downwards towards the ski surface to a second position, the ski brake has a second mechanical locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism can hold the ski brake in the locked position, i.e., in a position in which it lies next to the ski and does not extend downwards beyond the ski, before the athlete steps into the ski, for example during transport or storage. In a combined downhill and touring binding, the second locking mechanism also holds the ski brake in the locked position in touring mode.

[0009] Touring mode refers to the ski binding setting selected for touring, meaning the heel of the boot is released from the heel holder and can move out of it while walking. Downhill mode, accordingly, refers to the binding setting in which the boot is held firmly in the heel holder.

[0010] The ski brake is connected to the pedal via a mechanism that preloads the ski brake into the braking position. This means that when the pedal is unloaded, the brake is always in the braking position if the pedal is the only locking mechanism for the brake. When the skier steps into the binding, their weight pushes the pedal toward the surface of the ski. This pivot connection causes the brake to swing upwards next to the ski and hold it there as long as the pedal is under load. If the pedal is suddenly released, for example, when the binding is released during a fall, the brake is released and slows the ski.

[0011] The second locking mechanism for the ski brake can comprise a locking element connected to the pedal and a counter-locking element movably mounted in the base. The locking element is preferably connected to the underside of the pedal and, when the pedal is in the release position for the ski brake, projects downward from the underside of the pedal toward the ski surface.

[0012] The counter-locking element can be pre-tensioned by a spring element in the direction of the pedal, i.e., in the direction of the locking element on the pedal, so that, when the spring element is tensioned, one end of the counter-locking element is preferably in locking engagement with the locking element. This locking engagement can, for example, consist in the end of the counter-locking element overlapping one end of the locking element, wherein in the overlap region, the counter-locking element lies above the locking element or a part of the locking element, so that the unloaded pedal cannot be moved from its second position to the first position.Alternatively, the counter-locking element can engage with the locking element to establish the locking engagement or press the locking element into a locking position against a spring force, wherein the spring force for unlocking the locking element is smaller than the spring force for tensioning the counter-locking element.

[0013] The counter-locking element can extend in the base in a longitudinal direction of the base, or of the ski, from the locking element to below the heel holder, and can have a projection projecting vertically upwards in the direction of the heel holder in an area below the heel holder. Preferably, the projection has, at its free end facing away from the counter-locking element, an engagement surface that can interact with a pin connected to the automatic heel unit having a counter-engagement surface. The engagement surface and the counter-engagement surface can, in particular, be inclined surfaces that are designed such that a movement of the automatic heel unit substantially perpendicular to the ski surface causes a movement of the counter-locking element in a direction opposite to the skiing direction.

[0014] When stepping into the heel holder and the resulting pivoting of the heel unit into the position in which a sole holder of the heel unit rests on the surface of the sole of the athlete's boot, the pin can come into operative engagement with the projection, whereby the counter-locking element can be moved away from the locking element against the force of the spring element, opposite to the direction of travel of the ski.

[0015] The heel unit can have a clamping device with the sole holder and a connecting structure, wherein the connecting structure connects the clamping device to the base. The clamping device can be pivotally connected to the connecting structure about a first axis, and the connecting structure can be pivotally connected to the base about a second axis. In a heel unit with a connecting structure, the pin is preferably formed on the connecting structure.

[0016] If a fall occurs during downhill skiing and the binding releases, particularly if it releases sideways, this means that the boot moves out of the binding, relieving the pressure on the pedal and thus releasing the ski brake. The carriage, which is moved transversely to the ski's longitudinal axis, simultaneously blocks the movement of the locking element into the locking position, preventing the locking element from engaging the locking element, which would otherwise prevent the ski brake from releasing. This means that if the ski binding or heel clamp releases sideways, the ski can still be braked without restriction by the ski brake.

[0017] The heel holder is preferably the heel collar of a touring binding or a combined downhill and touring binding, with the ski brake being secured by the second locking mechanism in touring mode. The heel holder can have a first and an additional second climbing aid, with the first climbing aid supporting the athlete's boot at a first climbing angle, and the second climbing aid supporting the boot at a second climbing angle, with the second climbing angle being greater than the first climbing angle.

[0018] The ski brake is a separate part that is not connected to the heel holder, but can be pushed onto a rail that is connected to the surface of the ski, for example, independently of the heel holder.

[0019] Another aspect concerns a ski with a combined downhill and touring binding featuring a toe holder, a heel holder, and a ski brake. The heel holder is preferably the previously described heel holder, which allows the ski brake to be held in a non-braking position in touring mode.

[0020] Features of the invention are also described in the aspects formulated below. The aspects are formulated in the manner of claims and can replace them. Features disclosed in the aspects can further supplement and / or qualify the claims, show alternatives to individual features, and / or expand or clarify claim features. Reference numerals in parentheses refer to an exemplary embodiment illustrated below in the figures. They do not restrict the features described in the aspects in the literal sense as such, but on the other hand indicate preferred ways of implementing the respective feature.

[0021] In the following, an embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Essential features of the invention that can only be derived from the figures can advantageously further develop the invention individually or in the combinations shown and are within the scope of the invention. The invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures, but is defined by the claims.

[0022] The figures show in detail: Figure 1Heel holder with ski brake held in the second lock Figure 2Heel holder in downhill mode with released second lock

[0023] In the following two figures, which show a very detailed structure of a heel holder 1 based on an exemplary embodiment, only the parts essential to the invention are provided with reference numerals in order to avoid the figures becoming confusing due to too many unnecessary reference numerals.

[0024] The Figure 1shows a heel holder 1 with a base 2, an automatic heel unit 3, a pedal 4 and a ski brake 5. The automatic heel unit 3 has a tensioning element 6 with a sole holder 7 and a connecting structure 10. The connecting structure 10 is connected to the base 2 in a first pivot joint 11 and to the tensioning element 6 in a second pivot joint 12. The tensioning element 6 can be pivoted in the pivot joint 12 relative to the base 2 and relative to the connecting structure 10, and the connecting structure 10 can be pivoted in the pivot joint 11 at least relative to the base 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base 2 has a carriage 24 which is movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ski and enables additional transverse movements of the automatic heel unit 3 in extreme skiing situations and a transverse release of the heel holder 1, for example in the event of a fall.

[0025] A locking element 13 is connected to the underside 4a of the pedal 4, which locking element in the exemplary embodiment has a rectangular profile that projects downwards from the underside 4a of the pedal 4 and forms a support surface 13a running parallel to the underside 4a.

[0026] A counter-locking element 14 is guided in the base 2 or beneath the base 2, which is pressed at one end 14a by a spring element 15 with a spring force in the direction of travel of the ski 16. At the opposite end 14b, a support surface 14c is formed, which rests on the support surface 13a of the locking element 13 and thereby prevents the pedal 2 from moving from a second position shown, in which it rests on the surface of the ski 16 and holds and locks the ski brake 5 in the position shown next to the ski, in which the ski brake 5 has no braking function. Near the end 14a, the counter-locking element 14 has a vertically upwardly projecting arm or projection 18, which has a bevel 18b at its upper end 18a.In the embodiment shown, the counter-locking element 14 has a further projection 20 between the projection 18 and the end 14b, which can be guided, for example, in a groove in the base 2 to support a straight guide of the counter-locking element 14. The counter-locking element 14 can also be guided at least partially in a sleeve connected, for example, to the base 2 or guided in another known manner to prevent bending or kinking of the counter-locking element 14.

[0027] In the downhill position of the ski 16, the projection 20 is moved back against the direction of travel so far that its front end in the direction of travel comes to rest behind the edge 23 formed on the underside of the carriage 24 guided in the base 2. The edge 23 can have an interruption in the middle so that the counter-locking element 14 or the projection 20 can be moved freely in and against the direction of travel of the ski 16 when the carriage 24 is in a permissible, non-releasing position in the base 2. If the carriage 24 leaves this position transversely to the direction of travel, the projection 20 comes into an area of the edge 23 next to or outside the interruption and is thus prevented by the edge 23 from being pushed back into the locking position by the spring 15, even if the pedal 4 is no longer pressed onto the ski surface by the ski boot.

[0028] On the connecting structure 10, on its side facing the ski surface, a lug or pin 17 is formed, with one end 17a having a bevel 17b. When the heel unit 3 is pivoted into the downhill mode position, i.e., the position in which the sole holder 7 presses against the sole of the boot and the heel holder 1 holds the boot firmly in the binding, the pin 17 is brought into operative connection with the projection 18 through an opening 21 in the base 3. Due to the interacting bevels 17b, 18b, the counter-locking element 14 is moved against the spring force of the spring element 15, counter to the direction of travel of the ski 16. This releases the connection between the two contact surfaces 13a, 14c, and the pedal 4 is free to move upwards.

[0029] Since the pedal 4 is pressed down essentially at the same time by the weight of the athlete stepping into the binding, the ski brake 5 remains in the locked, non-braking position, with the locking now being established and maintained by the pedal 4.

[0030] From the above description, it is clear that the locking element 13 and the counter-locking element 14 form a locking mechanism for the ski brake 5 when the pin 17 and the projection 18 are not interacting with each other. This means that this locking mechanism can be active when the ski 16 is being transported or stored, or when the heel holder 1 or the automatic heel unit 3 is in a position in which the binding is used as a touring binding. However, if the binding is used as a downhill binding, the locking element 13 and the counter-locking element 14 are no longer in locking engagement; the locking of the ski brake 5 in the position in which it is not braking the ski 16 is now ensured by the pedal 4 loaded by the skier.

[0031] The Figure 2shows the heel holder 1 in the downhill mode position, in which both the connecting structure 10 and the tensioning element 6 of the automatic heel unit 3 are pivoted onto the base 2. The pin 17 is fully retracted into the opening 21 of the base 2 and, through the interaction of the bevels 17b, 18b, has moved the counter-locking element 14 against the force of the spring element 15, counter to the direction of travel of the ski 16. As a result, the two contact surfaces 13a, 14c no longer overlap, so that the ski brake 5 is no longer locked in the non-braking position by the interaction of the locking element 13 and the counter-locking element 14. This locking is now ensured by the pedal 4 in a known manner, since the athlete now holds the pedal 4 with his weight in the position shown on the upper side of the ski 16, in which the ski brake 5 is held in the non-braking position.

[0032] In the Figure 2The first climbing aid 8 and the second climbing aid 9 are also visible, here in the position for downhill mode. The two climbing aids 8, 9 are pivotally connected to the heel unit 3 and the tensioning element 6, respectively, via a common joint 22 and have at least one common spring element 19, which secures the first climbing aid 8 and the second climbing aid 9 against unintentional pivoting, at least in the position shown. List of reference symbols

[0033] 1Heel holder 2Base, 3Heel unit 4Pedal 4aUnderside 5Ski brake 6Clamping element 7Sole holder 8Climbing aid 9Climbing aid 10Connecting structure 11First pivot joint 12Second pivot joint 13Locking element 13aSupport surface 14Counter-locking element 14aEnd 14bEnd 14cSupport surface 15Spring element 16Ski 17Peg 17aEnd 17bBevel 18Protrusion 18aEnd 18bBevel 19Spring element 20Protrusion 21Opening 22Joint 23Edge 24Slide

Claims

1. A heel retainer (1) for a ski binding, namely a combined downhill and touring binding, wherein the ski binding comprises: (a) a base (2); (b) an automatic heel mechanism (3) comprising a tensing device (6) featuring a sole retainer (7) and a connecting structure (10) which connects the tensing device (6) to the base (2); (c) a first and an additional, second climbing aid (8, 9), wherein the first climbing aid (8) supports a user's boot at a first climbing angle, and the second climbing aid (9) supports the boot at a second climbing angle, wherein the second climbing angle is greater than the first climbing angle; (d) a ski brake (5); and (e) a pedal (4) which can be moved from a first position, in which the ski brake (5) protrudes downwards from the ski (16) and exerts a braking effect, to a second position in which the ski brake (5) lies next to the ski (16) and exhibits no braking effect, (f) wherein the heel retainer (1) comprises a latch for the ski brake (5), by means of which the ski brake (5) can be latched in the second position, (g) wherein the connecting structure (10) is connected to the base (2) such that it can be pivoted about an axis, characterised in that (h) the two climbing aids (8, 9) are connected to the automatic heel mechanism (3) such that they can be pivoted in a common joint (22).

2. The heel retainer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ski brake (5) is a part which is separate from the automatic heel mechanism (3) and can be slid, independently of the automatic heel mechanism (3), onto a rail which is connected to a surface of the ski (16).

3. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch comprises a latching element (13), which is connected to the pedal (4), and a complementary latching element (14) which is movably mounted in or beneath the base (2).

4. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the latching element (13) is connected to the lower side (4a) of the pedal (4) and protrudes from the lower side (4a) of the pedal (4) towards the surface of the ski (16).

5. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the complementary latching element (14) is biased in the direction of the latching element (13) on the pedal (4) by means of a spring element (15).

6. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein an end (14b) of the complementary latching element (14) is in a latching engagement with the latching element (13) when the spring element (15) is tensed.

7. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein an end (14b) of the complementary latching element (14) overlaps an end of the latching element (13) in the latching engagement, wherein the complementary latching element (14) lies above the latching element (13) or a part of the latching element (13) in the overlap region, such that the pedal (4) which is free of any load cannot be moved from its second position to the first position.

8. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the preceding five claims, wherein the complementary latching element (14) extends in or beneath the base (2) in a longitudinal direction of the ski (16) from the latching element (13) up to below the automatic heel mechanism (3) and, in a region beneath the automatic heel mechanism (3), comprises a protrusion (18) which protrudes perpendicularly upwards towards the automatic heel mechanism (3).

9. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the end (18a) of the protrusion (18) which points away from the complementary latching element (14) comprises a contact area (18b) which co-operates with a complementary contact area (17b) of a peg (17) connected to the automatic heel mechanism (3).

10. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the peg (17) passes into effective engagement with the protrusion (18) and moves the complementary latching element (14) away from the latching element (13), counter to the direction of travel of the ski (16) and against the force of the spring element (15), when a user steps into the heel retainer (1) with their boot.

11. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the immediately preceding two claims, wherein the contact area (18b) and the complementary contact area (17b) are embodied as oblique areas, and a movement of the peg (17) perpendicular to the surface of the ski (16) causes a movement of the complementary latching element (14) counter to the direction of travel of the ski (16).

12. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic heel mechanism (3) comprises a tensing device (6) featuring a sole retainer (7) and a connecting structure (10) which connects the tensing device (6) to the base (2), wherein the peg (17) according to any one of the immediately preceding three claims is preferably provided and is preferably formed on the connecting structure (10).

13. The heel retainer (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tensing device (6) is connected to the connecting structure (10) such that it can be pivoted in a second pivot joint (12) and / or the connecting structure (10) is connected to the base (2) such that it can be pivoted in a first pivot joint (11).

14. The heel retainer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel retainer (1) is embodied such that a ski (16) on which the heel retainer (1) is arranged can be decelerated without restriction by the ski brake (5) when the heel retainer (1) is transversely released.

15. The heel retainer (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (2) comprises a carriage (24) which can be moved transverse to a longitudinal axis of the ski and enables additional transverse movements of the automatic heel mechanism (3) and a transverse release of the heel retainer (1).