CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING SET

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cross-country skiing set comprising a cross-country ski binding and a cross-country ski boot, wherein the cross-country ski binding serves to articulately connect a cross-country ski boot to a cross-country ski, a binding base body which has a contact surface for a sole of the cross-country ski boot and a ski contact surface for at least indirect contact with the cross-country ski, a holding device which has a receptacle for pivoting the cross-country ski boot about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction of the binding base body, wherein the contact surface has a toe section adjacent to the holding device and a ball section adjoining the toe section.

[0002] Such cross-country ski bindings have been known in the art for a long time. Typically, in known cross-country ski bindings, the boot contact surface is arranged parallel to the ski contact surface for attachment to the cross-country ski.

[0003] From DE 3915946 A1, such a cross-country ski binding for the articulated connection of a cross-country ski boot to a cross-country ski is known. Furthermore, a raised section is shown in the toe area of ​​the contact surface, wherein the sole has a step in its front end area adapted to the raised contact surface in the toe section.

[0004] US Patent 2014 / 150300 A1 also discloses such a cross-country ski binding with a raised section in the toe area of ​​the contact surface, wherein a cross-country ski shoe with a reinforced sole in the toe and ball area is provided.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 2 108 413 B1 proposed a cross-country ski binding in which a wedge-shaped spacer is provided under the base for the cross-country ski boot, so that the toe area of ​​the ski boot is positioned above the heel area of ​​the ski boot when the sole is flat on the base. This is intended to achieve improved pressure distribution during cross-country skiing due to an increased contact area with the ground.

[0006] In the prior art of EP 2 108 413 B1, the wedge-shaped spacer ensures that the support for the cross-country ski boot is inclined at a constant angle, at least behind the pivot axis. This allows the sole to make contact with the support simultaneously in the toe and ball of the foot areas when the weight is shifted backwards. However, it has been shown that the known cross-country ski binding does not allow for optimal power transmission during the cross-country skiing stride.

[0007] From EP 0 156 159 A1, a cross-country skiing set is further disclosed in which the cross-country ski boot has a sole with a hook-shaped front end that interacts with a binding-side traverse. The binding has a base plate that ends at the level of the toe section of the sole.

[0008] EP 2 682 165 A1 discloses a cross-country ski set in which a binding plate is provided, on which in turn another plate is mounted, in which a pivoting device is mounted. The plate extends essentially over the entire ball section of the boot.

[0009] The FR 2 590 490 A1 also reveals a cross-country skiing set with a ski binding with a short base plate, where a buckle lever is provided for connection with a front bail of the ski boot.

[0010] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to alleviate or eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to improve the power transmission from the cross-country ski boot via the cross-country ski binding to the cross-country ski.

[0011] This problem is solved, on the one hand, by a cross-country skiing set with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention, the toe section of the contact surface of the binding base body has a greater distance from the ski contact surface than the ball section, so that the sole of the cross-country ski boot is spaced away from the ball section in an unloaded state when resting on the toe section and is in contact with the ball section, which is designed as a substantially flat surface, in a loaded state in which the sole is elastically deformed at the transition between the toe and ball sections.

[0013] According to the invention, the ball section of the binding base connects to the toe section in such a way that, when performing a cross-country skiing stride in an unloaded state (i.e., before weight is shifted to the heel of the ski boot), a substantially flat ball section of the sole of the cross-country ski boot rests only on the toe section, but not on the ball section of the binding base. In a loaded state (i.e., when weight is shifted to the heel of the ski boot and the ski flexes as it rests on the ground), the ball section of the sole of the ski boot rests against the ball section of the binding base. Advantageously, this facilitates the transfer of weight from the ball of the foot to the heel, thereby reducing the force exerted on the ball of the foot.The cross-country ski binding according to the invention facilitates both the initiation of the gliding process and the transition from gliding to pushing off. This weight transfer occurs in several phases. To initiate the gliding process, the toe area of ​​the sole is first placed against the toe section of the binding body. Subsequently, a shift in weight to the heel establishes contact between the ball of the sole and the corresponding ball section of the binding body. The weight transfer elastically deforms the sole, particularly at the transition between the toe and ball sections, while simultaneously bending the cross-country ski against its preload. The heel of the ski boot is pressed against the corresponding heel section of the binding, thus generating effective forward propulsion.

[0014] The later contact of the sole with the ball of the binding's base reduces pressure on the ski's ball compared to conventional cross-country bindings with a horizontal base or one that slopes at a constant gradient behind the pivot axis. This allows for faster weight transfer to the heel of the binding without shifting the body's center of gravity backward. The result is a more harmonious skiing motion without hindering forward gliding.

[0015] To delay contact between the sole and the ball of the foot when the runner shifts their weight onto the heel, it is advantageous for the ball of the foot to have a different slope than the toe area, at least in the transition zone adjacent to the toe area. This change in slope from the toe to the ball of the foot ensures that, before weight is applied, the sole initially makes contact only with the toe area and only with the ball of the foot when the runner shifts their weight onto the heel.

[0016] To facilitate the initiation of the gliding phase, it is advantageous if the toe section of the contact surface is essentially flat and runs essentially parallel to the ski's base surface. Accordingly, in this embodiment, a substantially flat toe area of ​​the sole can be brought into contact with the toe section of the contact surface on the binding body over its entire surface before the sole is elastically deformed against the ball section of the binding body.

[0017] To separate the ball area of ​​the sole from the ball section of the binding base body when unloaded, the invention provides that the ball section of the contact surface is essentially designed as a flat surface. The ball section is set downwards, i.e., towards the ski contact surface, relative to the toe section.

[0018] To reduce force transmission via the ball of the sole in favor of stronger force transmission via the heel of the sole, it is advantageous if the ball section of the contact surface runs substantially parallel to and / or slopes downwards towards the ski tail, at least in sections. In a preferred embodiment, the ball section is formed as a substantially flat surface over substantially its entire length, which is understood to be the longitudinal extension of the binding body, and which runs substantially parallel to the also substantially flat ski tail. In another preferred embodiment, the ball section is arranged at least in sections at an angle to the ski tail, with the ball section sloping downwards towards the rear, i.e., towards the ski tail.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the ball section has a step in the transition area to the toe section of the contact surface. In this embodiment, a discrete level change is provided between the toe and ball sections. The step has a flank that preferably extends transversely to the binding body and is preferably arranged at an angle of substantially 90° to the ski contact surface.

[0020] In this embodiment, the step preferably has a height of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably 1 mm to 1.5 mm. The height is defined as the extension in the direction perpendicular to the (essentially flat) ski contact surface.

[0021] To improve the power transmission to the heel section of the cross-country ski binding, it is advantageous if the ball section begins between 35 mm and 65 mm behind the pivot axis of the holding device, preferably between 45 mm and 55 mm behind the pivot axis, and in particular substantially 50 mm behind the pivot axis.

[0022] For the purposes of this disclosure, location and direction terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", etc. refer to the intended state of use of the cross-country ski binding on the cross-country ski in its normal horizontal position, where "front" means closer to the ski tip and "back" means closer to the ski tail.

[0023] The cross-country ski binding described above can be connected to a conventional cross-country ski boot. In use, the binding is mounted on a cross-country ski, which can also have a conventional design.

[0024] The invention is further explained below with reference to preferred embodiments, to which, however, it is not limited. Fig. 1 Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-country ski set according to the invention with a cross-country ski binding mounted on a cross-country ski, the contact surface of which is designed for a (in Fig. 2 (visible) cross-country ski shoe has a toe and a ball section, with the ball section being set lower than the toe section. Fig. 2 shows the cross-country ski binding of Fig. 1 with a cross-country ski boot attached to it in its unloaded state, whereby the sole only rests on the toe section, but not on the lower ball section of the contact surface of the binding base body. Fig. 3 shows the cross-country ski binding with the cross-country ski boot attached to it according to Fig. 1 , whereby the sole of the cross-country ski boot is additionally positioned on the ball section of the contact surface of the binding base body by shifting the skier's weight. Fig. 4 shows the cross-country ski in the unloaded state of the cross-country ski boot, which is pivotably mounted on the cross-country ski binding. Fig. 5 shows the cross-country ski and the cross-country ski boot under load.

[0025] In Fig. 1 A cross-country ski binding 1 for the articulated connection of a cross-country ski boot 2 to a cross-country ski 3 is shown. Such cross-country ski sets have been known in the prior art for a long time, so only the features essential to the invention will be described below.

[0026] The cross-country ski binding 1 has a binding base body 4 made of a substantially rigid material, which has guide ribs 21 in a central area. On its upper side, the binding base body 4 has a contact surface 5 for attaching a sole 6 of the cross-country ski boot 2 (see figure). Fig. 2 The binding base body 4 has a substantially flat ski contact surface 22 on its underside, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is mounted directly onto the cross-country ski 3. However, further mounting elements, particularly plate-shaped ones, can be provided between the binding base body 4 and the cross-country ski 3 (not shown). In this case, the ski contact surface 22 is indirectly connected to the cross-country ski 3. Furthermore, as is also well known, the cross-country ski binding 1 has a retaining device 7 for a detachable connection to the cross-country ski boot 2. The retaining device 7 has a receptacle 8 for pivoting a hinge pin 9 of the cross-country ski boot 2 about a pivot axis that extends transversely to the binding base body 4 (i.e., in the mounted state, transversely to the cross-country ski 3).For this purpose, the retaining device 7 has two slidably or pivotably mounted hooks 11, which hold the pivot pin 9 in the connected state against the receptacle 8. To release the cross-country ski boot 2, the retaining device 7 also has a handle 12, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by a rotary grip. By rotating the rotary grip, the hooks 11 can be pivoted between a release and a holding position. Furthermore, the cross-country ski binding 1 has a return element 13, which is often referred to as a flexor in the prior art. The return element 13 consists of an elastically deformable (rubber) material to push the cross-country ski boot 2 from a pivoted position after the push-off (not shown) towards the contact surface 5 of the binding base body 4.

[0027] As from Fig. 1 bis 3 As can be seen, the contact surface 5 has a toe section 5a and a ball section 5b. The toe section 5a extends rearward from the receptacle 8 of the retaining device 7. The ball section 5b continues the toe section 5a rearward. The toe section 5a of the contact surface 5 of the binding base 4 has a greater vertical distance from the ski contact surface 22 than the ball section 5a. The sole 6 of the cross-country ski boot 2 has a toe area 6a for contact with the toe section 5a of the binding base 4 and a ball area 6b for contact with the ball section 5b of the binding base 4.

[0028] Fig. 2 The sole 6 of the cross-country ski shoe 2 is shown in a state where the toe section 5a is standing upright before a weight shift onto one (in Fig. 4 visible) heel area 6c of the cross-country ski shoe 2. In this unloaded state, the ball area 6b of the sole 6 is arranged at a distance from the ball section 5b of the contact surface 5.

[0029] Fig. 3 Figure 2 shows the cross-country ski boot 2 after weight shifting to the heel area of ​​the boot 2. The load causes the sole 6 to deform elastically in such a way that the ball area 6b of the sole 6 comes into contact with the ball section 5b of the contact surface 5. This contact is further supported by the deflection of the cross-country ski 3 during the weight shift (see Figure 3). Fig. 4, 5 ).

[0030] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 bis 5 The toe section 5a of the contact surface 5 is designed as a flat surface, which extends essentially parallel to the ski support surface 22. The ball section 5b of the contact surface 5 has a different slope in a transition area 5c adjacent to the toe section 5a. In the embodiment shown, a step 5c, i.e., a change in level, is formed between the toe section 5a and the ball section 5b of the contact surface 5. The step has a height h of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably of 1 mm to 1.5 mm (see Figure 1). Fig. 1 The sloping flank of step 5c extends in the transverse direction of the binding base body 4, essentially perpendicular to the ski bearing surface 22. Apart from the step-shaped transition area, the ball section 5b of the contact surface 5 runs essentially parallel to the ski bearing surface 22.

[0031] The Fig. 4, 5 Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-country ski 3 in a side view, with a ski tip 3a and a ski tail 3b. In its unloaded state, the ski 3 rests on a snow surface 25 (represented symbolically) at a front contact line 23 and a rear contact line 24. The cross-country ski 3 has an upwardly or convexly curved surface 26, which is caused by the pre-tension of the ski 3. Due to the convexly curved surface 26 of the ski 3, the heel area 6c of the cross-country ski boot 2 is raised by a certain amount, for example 10 to 15 mm, from a rear guide element 27 of the cross-country ski binding 1 (shown only schematically in the drawing) when unloaded.

[0032] Fig. 5 This shows the stressed condition of the cross-country ski set. The stress is primarily in a vertical direction, which is Fig. 5 This is illustrated by arrow 28. Due to the geometry of the cross-country ski 3, with the prior art, the majority of the force in the direction of arrow 28 was transmitted via the ball of the foot area 6b of the cross-country ski boot 2. As a result, only a small portion of the force in the direction of arrow P was transmitted via the heel area 6c. Therefore, the skier had to shift their center of gravity backward to relieve pressure on the front ski and thus improve the forward gliding motion. Conversely, when transitioning from the gliding to the push-off phase, the center of gravity had to be shifted forward again. The resulting delay impaired the desired smooth movement pattern.

[0033] In contrast, the design of the contact surface 5 with the toe section 5a and the ball section 5b set off downwards from it ensures that the sole 6 only in the loaded state according to Fig. 5The sole 6 comes into contact with the ball section 5b of the contact surface 5 of the binding base body 4. The subsequent contact of the sole 6 with the ball section 5b facilitates the weight transfer to the rear guide element 27 of the cross-country ski binding 2.

Claims

1. Cross-country skiing set comprising a cross-country ski binding (1) and a cross-country ski boot (2), wherein the cross-country ski binding (1), for the articulated connection of a cross-country ski boot (2) with a cross-country ski (3), comprises a binding base body (4), which comprises a support surface (5) for a sole (6) of the cross-country ski boot (2) and a ski support surface (22) for at least indirect support on the cross-country ski (3), and comprises a retaining device (7), which comprises a receptacle for the pivotable arrangement of a joint pin (9) of the cross-country ski boot (2) about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction of the binding base body (4), wherein the support surface (5) comprises a toe section (5a) adjacent to the retaining device (7) and a ball section (5b) adjoining the toe section (5a), characterized in that the ball section (5b) of the support surface (5) is formed essentially as a flat surface and the toe section of the support surface (5) of the binding base body (4) comprises a greater distance from the ski support surface (22) than the ball section (5b), such that the sole (6) of the cross-country ski boot (2), in an unloaded state resting on the toe section (5a), is spaced apart from the ball section (5b) and, in a loaded state, in which the sole is elastically deformed in the transition between the toe and the ball section, is in contact with the ball section (5b) formed essentially as a flat surface.

2. Cross-country skiing set according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball section (5b) of the support surface (5), at least in a transition region adjacent to the toe section (5a), comprises a slope different from the toe section (5a).

3. Cross-country skiing set according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the toe section (5a) of the support surface (5) is formed essentially as a flat surface and extends essentially parallel to the ski support surface (22).

4. Cross-country skiing set according to claim 3, characterized in that the ball section (5b) of the support surface (5) extends essentially parallel and / or in the direction of the ski end (3b), at least in sections sloping downwards towards the ski support surface (22).

5. Cross-country skiing set according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ball section (5b) in the transition region to the toe section (5a) of the support surface (5) comprises a step (5c).

6. Cross-country skiing set according to claim 5, characterized in that the step (5c) comprises a height of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably of 1 mm to 1.5 mm.

7. Cross-country skiing set according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ball section (5b) begins between 35 mm and 65 mm behind the pivot axis of the retaining device (7), preferably between 45 mm and 55 mm behind the pivot axis, in particular essentially 50 mm behind the pivot axis.