HEEL UNIT WITH ANTI-TWIST FOR A TOURING BINDING

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heel unit for a touring binding, wherein the heel unit is adjustable between a downhill position in which it holds a heel portion of a touring boot, and a touring position in which it releases the heel portion so that the touring boot can lift off the heel unit, and wherein the heel unit comprises a base with a fastening arrangement for attachment to a ski, wherein the base has a pivot bearing which defines a rotation axis extending orthogonally to a ski plane, and a binding body which has coupling means for coupling to the heel portion of the touring boot and which is rotatably held on the pivot bearing about the rotation axis such that in the downhill position the coupling means point in a forward direction to engage the heel portion of the touring boot,and in the touring position the coupling means point in a direction different from the forward direction.,

[0002] Such heel units are known. For example, EP 2 638 937 A1 discloses a heel unit with a one-way rotational coupling between a base and a binding body, such that rotation of the binding body in a first rotational direction is blocked, but rotation of the binding body in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction is possible.

[0003] Since twisting of the binding body in the second direction of rotation remains possible, it cannot be ruled out that the binding body will still be twisted relative to the base when subjected to greater forces and will not remain in the touring position. Furthermore, EP 2 638 937 A1 teaches that the locking mechanism is configured such that, if a sufficiently high force is exerted on the binding body in the direction of rotation in the first direction of rotation, the locking mechanism can be overcome to prevent damage to the heel unit if the locking mechanism would otherwise not yield. This can be the case, for example, when traversing a steep slope.When walking, when the heel section of the touring boot is placed on the binding body or on parts of the binding body such as climbing aids, large lateral forces act in addition to vertical forces, which, as mentioned, can lead to an adjustment of the binding body by rotating it around the pivot bearing of the base.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 109 601 A1 discloses a heel unit in which a projection provided on a binding body interacts with a projection provided on a base to prevent rotation of the binding body under load. Without a load on the binding body, the binding body can be rotated by deflecting the base-side projection onto a curved running surface of the binding-side projection, thereby displacing the binding body rearward in the longitudinal direction of the gliding board.

[0005] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heel unit for a touring binding of the type described above, which extremely reliably prevents unintentional adjustment or twisting of the binding body without excessively stressing or even damaging components of the heel unit.

[0006] The object underlying the invention, formulated above, is achieved by a heel unit for a touring binding according to claim 1.

[0007] In this way, an unintentional twisting of the binding body in the downhill position, particularly caused by a load from the heel section of the touring boot, can be prevented. This is because such a load on the binding body by the heel section of the touring boot, which practically always includes a vertical force component or a force component acting perpendicular to the ski plane, ensures anti-twist protection and prevents twisting of the binding body under load. This means that if a load with a vertical force component is applied to the binding body by the heel section of the touring boot in the touring position of the heel unit, twisting of the binding body relative to the base is prevented.

[0008] However, if no load is applied to the binding body, rotation may be possible, for example, to adjust the heel unit from the touring position to the downhill position. The rotation can be clockwise or counterclockwise. In the downhill position, the binding body can always be rotated relative to the base against a spring force or release force, advantageously allowing the heel section of the touring boot to be released in the event of a fall.

[0009] One of the base and the binding body can have at least one projection formed in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the ski plane, the other of the base and the binding body can have at least one recess formed in the direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the ski plane, complementary to the at least one projection, wherein in the touring position of the heel unit, when a load is applied to the binding body by the heel section of the touring boot with a force component acting perpendicular with respect to the ski plane, the at least one projection and the at least one recess formed complementary thereto are designed to engage with one another in such a way that the rotation of the binding body about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base is prevented.Providing at least one projection and at least one complementary recess in the vertical direction to establish engagement between the base and the binding body and prevent twisting of the vertically loaded binding body under a lateral load is particularly advantageous, since a major component of the load through the heel section of the touring boot acts in the vertical direction. This ensures particularly strong engagement between the base and the binding body, and extremely secure anti-twist protection between the two components.

[0010] In the touring position of the heel unit, the coupling means can point in a rearward direction that differs from the forward direction by substantially approximately 180°. If the coupling means point rearward in the touring position, they do not protrude laterally and do not hinder the touring hiker while walking. Alternatively, however, the coupling means can also point in a lateral direction that differs from the forward direction by substantially approximately 90°.

[0011] According to the invention, the binding body comprises a flap, which is particularly pivotably attached to the binding body and is adjustable between an engaged position in which the flap engages with the base, and a decoupling position in which the flap is not engaged with the base. To achieve the required strength and stability while still saving weight, the flap can be made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, titanium, or various light metal alloys.

[0012] The flap can be pre-tensioned into the engaged position, forming a locking connection with the base. This locking connection can, however, be released without any loading of the binding body by the heel section of the touring boot against the pre-tension, and the flap can be moved into the uncoupling position. Alternatively, the flap could also be pre-tensioned into the uncoupling position and, against this pre-tension, brought into the engaged position only by a load from the heel section of the touring boot. It is also conceivable for the flap to be un-pre-tensioned.

[0013] The binding body can comprise a housing, and the flap can be preloaded into the engaged position by means of a resilient tongue provided on the housing. To achieve this, the housing and thus also the resilient tongue can be made, in particular, from a plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA), or another cold-resistant plastic, to provide the necessary elasticity. Alternatively, the flap could also be preloaded into the engaged position by means of a spring element, such as a leg spring provided on an axis on which the flap is pivotally mounted, or a tension or compression spring. However, a resilient tongue formed by a self-supporting projection on the housing eliminates the need for additional components, and weight and manufacturing costs can be saved.

[0014] The binding body can comprise a climbing aid which is pivotally arranged on the heel unit or on the binding body and which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, wherein in the touring position of the heel unit the climbing aid in its active position supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane and wherein in the touring position, when a load is applied by the heel section of the touring boot to the climbing aid in its active position with a force component acting perpendicularly with respect to the ski plane, the binding body and the base are configured to engage with one another in such a way that the rotation of the binding body about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base is prevented.In particular, when the heel section of the touring boot is loaded, the climbing aid in its active position can transfer a load with a vertical force component to the binding body, and in particular directly to the flap. This provides extremely effective anti-twist protection even when using the climbing aid for walking on steeper terrain.

[0015] The binding body can further comprise a second climbing aid which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, wherein in the touring position of the heel unit the second climbing aid in its active position supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane, which is higher than the predetermined height of the first climbing aid, and wherein in the touring position of the heel unit, when a load is applied by the heel section of the touring boot to the second climbing aid in its active position with a force component acting perpendicularly with respect to the ski plane, the binding body and the base are configured to engage with one another in such a way that the rotation of the binding body about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base is prevented.In this advantageous embodiment, the second climbing aid, in its active position, can also transfer a load with a vertical force component to the binding body, and in particular to the flap, when loaded by the heel section of the touring boot. This can occur directly or via the first climbing aid. Thus, extremely effective anti-twist protection can be provided even when using the second climbing aid for walking on steep terrain.

[0016] The base can comprise a brake assembly that is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position, wherein the brake assembly comprises a pedal that has, on its side facing away from the ski, a tread for the heel portion of the touring boot, at least one brake arm that is mounted on the base and on the pedal, and an elastic element that is configured to preload the brake assembly into the braking position. Braking position means that the at least one brake arm, in particular the two brake arms, protrude on one or both sides of the ski in a horizontal width direction, and an end portion of the at least one brake arm projects downwards past the ski in a vertical direction to engage the ground, in particular snow or ice.The sliding position means that at least one brake arm is raised vertically to a level above the ski surface, so that the brake arm can no longer engage the ground. This prevents, for example, a fall and the resulting release of the heel unit or touring binding, preventing the ski from being lost, as it is decelerated by the brake assembly.

[0017] In the touring position of the heel unit, the brake assembly can be locked in the sliding position by the binding body. This eliminates the need for a separate locking element to lock the brake assembly in the sliding position, again saving weight and manufacturing costs.

[0018] In the touring position of the heel unit, when a load is applied to the binding body by the heel section of the touring boot with a force component acting perpendicularly with respect to the ski plane, the binding body and a section of the brake assembly can be configured to engage with one another in such a way that rotation of the binding body about the rotation axis of the pivot bearing of the base is prevented. For example, two downwardly projecting teeth formed on the flap can engage over a brake flap and thus prevent twisting of the binding body under a lateral load. Such a brake flap can, for example, be made of aluminum and provided pivotably on an axis for a double-leg spring and arranged between the inner legs of the double-leg spring.This arrangement is advantageous because the brake assembly gives way elastically, makes adjustment from the touring position to the downhill position easier and also does not require the provision of additional components.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In detail: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in a downhill position, wherein a brake arrangement of the heel unit is held down against a spring force of the brake arrangement by a heel section (not shown) of a touring boot, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the downhill position, Figure 3 shows a side view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the downhill position, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in a touring position, Figure 5 shows a plan view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position, Figure 6 shows a side view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position, Figure 7 shows a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a side view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position, wherein a flap of a binding body is raised for explanatory purposes opposite to a direction in which the flap is pretensioned, Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 8 , Figure 10 a side view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position with a first climbing aid in an active position, Figure 11 a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 10 , Figure 12 a side view of the heel unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position with a second climbing aid in an active position and Figure 13 a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 12 .

[0020] The Figures 1 to 3show a heel unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention in a downhill position. The heel unit 10 is adjustable between the downhill position, in which it holds a heel portion of a touring boot, and a touring position, in which it releases the heel portion so that the touring boot can lift off the heel unit 10. In the Figures 1 to 3 the touring boot is not shown.

[0021] The heel unit 10 comprises a base 12 to be attached to a ski and a binding body 14, which has coupling means 16, in particular in the form of protruding metal pins 16, for coupling to the heel section of the touring boot. The base 12 can either be attached directly to the ski, for example by means of screws, or mounted on the ski so as to slide in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The binding body 14 is held on the base 12 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the base 12. In the downhill position, the coupling means 16 point in a forward direction to engage the heel section of the touring boot, and in the touring position, the coupling means 16 point in a direction different from the forward direction. In particular, the coupling means 16 in the form of metal pins 16 can point in a backward direction in the touring position, which differs from the forward direction by approximately 180°.In the touring position of the heel unit 10, when a load is applied to the binding body 14 by the heel section of the touring boot with a force component acting perpendicularly with respect to the ski plane, the binding body 14 and the base 12 engage with one another in such a way that rotation of the binding body 14 about the axis of rotation of the base 12 is prevented. If no load is applied to the binding body 14, rotation of the binding body 14 about the axis of rotation of the base 12 may be possible. The touring position will be described with reference to FIG. Figures 4 to 13 discussed in more detail.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base 12 of the heel unit 10 can have a brake assembly 30, which is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position. The brake assembly 30 can comprise a pedal 32, which has a tread for the heel portion of the touring boot on its side facing away from the ski, in particular two brake arms 34, 34, which are mounted on the base 12 and on the pedal 32, and an elastic element 36, in particular in the form of a double leg spring 36, which preloads the brake assembly 30 into the braking position. Figures 1 to 3The brake assembly 30 of the heel unit 10 is held down by the heel portion (not shown) of the touring boot against a spring force of the elastic element 36. In the braking position, the two brake arms 34, 34 protrude on both sides of the ski in a horizontal width direction, and end portions of the brake arms 34 project downward past the ski in a vertical direction to engage the ground, in particular snow or ice. In the sliding position, the brake arms 34, 34 are raised vertically to a level above the ski surface, so that they can no longer engage the ground.

[0023] Furthermore, the binding body 14 can comprise a first climbing aid 26 and a second climbing aid 27, which can each be pivotally mounted on the heel unit 10 or on the binding body 14. The first and second climbing aids 26, 27 can be pivotally mounted on a common axis 28 on the binding body 14. The climbing aids 26, 27 will be discussed further below with reference to Figures 10 to 13 discussed in more detail.

[0024] The Figures 4 to 13 show the heel unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention in the touring position. Figures 10 and 11 the first climbing aid 26 is shown in an active position in which it supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane, and in the Figures 12 and 13the second climbing aid 27 is shown in an active position in which it supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane, which is higher than the predetermined height of the first climbing aid 26.

[0025] It can be seen that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the binding body 14 can comprise a housing 18, preferably made of a plastic, which can form an essential part of the binding body 14. The coupling means 16 can be arranged on this housing 18, which can in particular point in a rearward direction, which differs from the forward direction by approximately 180°. A rear portion of the housing 18 can thus point forward and be pivoted over the brake assembly 30 in order to prevent an upward movement of the pedal 32 and a concomitant downward movement of the end portions of the brake arms 34, and to lock the brake assembly 30 in the sliding position.On the binding body 14 and in particular on the rear section of the housing 18, a flap 20 can be provided, which is pivotally mounted on an axis 22 and is adjustable between an engaged position in which the flap 20 is engaged with the base 12, and a decoupling position in which the flap 20 is not engaged with the base 12. The flap 20 can comprise a tread 23 for the heel section of the touring boot, so that the flap 20 is pressed downward against the base 12 by a load with a vertically acting force on the tread 23. The flap 20 can particularly preferably be pretensioned into the engaged position. This can be realized in particular by a cantilevered, protruding, resilient tongue 24 which is formed on the housing 18. Alternatively, the flap 20 can be pretensioned into the engaged position in another way, such as by a spring element.The engagement between the flap 20 and the base 12 can be achieved, for example, by one or more downwardly projecting teeth 21 formed on the flap 20 and one or more complementary shapes on the base 12.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the touring position of the heel unit 10, when a load is applied to the binding body 14 by the heel portion of the touring boot with a force component acting perpendicularly with respect to the ski plane, the binding body 14 and a portion 38 of the brake assembly 30 can engage with each other in such a way that the rotation of the binding body 14 about the rotation axis of the base 12 is prevented. As shown in the sectional view in Figure 7As can be seen, for example, two downwardly projecting teeth 21 formed on the flap 20 can engage over a brake flap 38 and thus prevent twisting of the binding body 14 under a lateral load. Such a brake flap 38 can, for example, be made of aluminum and be pivotally mounted on an axis for a double-leg spring 36 and arranged on or between the inner legs of the double-leg spring 36.

[0027] In the Figures 8 and 9For explanatory purposes, the flap 20 of the binding body 14, which is pivotally mounted on the housing 18, is shown raised opposite to a direction in which the flap 20 is prestressed. This is intended to show that, when no load is applied to the binding body 14, or in this case to the rear section of the housing 18, rotation of the binding body 14 about the axis of rotation of the base 12 is possible. When the binding body 14 is rotated, for example manually, with respect to the base 12, the flap 20 is pivoted upward about the axis 22 by one of the inclined inner surfaces of the teeth 21 sliding obliquely upward along an opposite inclined outer contour surface of the brake flap 38.

[0028] The Figures 10 and 11 show the first climbing aid 26 in the active position, in which it supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane, and the Figures 12 and 13show the second climbing aid 27 in the active position, in which it supports the heel section of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane, which is higher than the predetermined height of the first climbing aid 26. In the Figures 10 and 11 It can be seen that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first climbing aid 26 can rest directly on the flap 20 in the active position, and thus a load acting on the first climbing aid 26 caused by the heel section of the touring boot is transferred with a vertical force component directly to the flap 20. In this way, an extremely effective anti-twist device can be provided even when the first climbing aid 26 is used.

[0029] Furthermore, in the Figures 12 and 13It can be seen that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second climbing aid 26 in the active position can rest on the first climbing aid 26 in the active position, which in turn can rest on the flap 20. In this way, even in the active position of the second climbing aid 27, a load acting on the second climbing aid 26 caused by the heel section of the touring boot can be transferred to the flap 20 with a vertical force component, and an extremely effective anti-twist device can also be provided when the second climbing aid 27 is used.

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, as mentioned above, the flap 20 may be biased into the uncoupling position instead of the engaged position, or it may not be biased at all. Furthermore, the resilient tongue 24 may be replaced by a suitable spring element. In this way, many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heel unit (10) for a touring binding, wherein the heel unit (10) is adjustable between a downhill position, in which it retains a heel portion of a touring boot, and a touring position, in which it releases the heel portion, such that the touring boot can lift up from heel unit (10), and wherein the heel unit (10) comprises: a base (12) with a fastening arrangement for fastening to a ski, wherein the base (12) has a pivot bearing that defines an axis of rotation extending orthogonally to a ski plane, and a binding body (14) that has coupling means (16) for coupling with the heel portion of the touring boot and is mounted on the pivot bearing rotatably about the axis of rotation in such a way that, in the downhill position, the coupling means (16) point in a forwards direction in order to engage the heel portion of the touring boot and, in the touring position, the coupling means (16) point in a direction other than the forwards direction, and wherein, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), in the event of a load with a force component acting perpendicularly to the ski plane being applied by the heel portion of the touring boot to the binding body (14), the binding body (14) and the base (12) are set up to engage with one another so as to prevent rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12), characterised in that the binding body (14) comprises a flap (20) fastened in particular swivellably to the binding body (14), which flap (20) is adjustable between an engaged position, in which the flap (20) is engaged with the base (12), and a decoupled position, in which the flap (20) is not engaged with the base (12).

2. A heel unit (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, if no load is applied to the binding body (14), rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12) is possible.

3. A heel unit (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the base (12) and the binding body (14) has at least one projection formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ski plane, the other one of the base (12) and the binding body (14) has at least one recess formed complementarily to the at least one projection in the direction substantially perpendicular to the ski plane and, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), in the event of a load with a force component acting perpendicularly to the ski plane being applied by the heel portion of the touring boot to the binding body (14), the at least one projection and the at least one recess formed complementarily thereto are set up to engage with one another so as to prevent rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12).

4. A heel unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), the coupling means (16) point in a backwards direction that differs substantially by approximately 180° from the forwards direction.

5. A heel unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flap (20) is preloaded into the engaged position.

6. A heel unit (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the binding body (12) comprises a housing (18) and the flap (20) is preloaded into the engaged position by way of a resilient tongue (24) that is provided on the housing (18).

7. A heel unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the binding body (14) comprises a climbing aid (26) that is arranged swivellably on the heel unit (10) or on the binding body (14) and is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, wherein, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), the climbing aid (26) in its active position supports the heel portion of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane and wherein, in the touring position, in the event of a load with a force component acting perpendicularly to the ski plane being applied by the heel portion of the touring boot to the climbing aid (26) in its active position, the binding body (14) and the base (12) are set up to engage with one another so as to prevent rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12).

8. A heel unit (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that the climbing aid (26) is a first climbing aid (26) and the binding body (14) furthermore comprises a second climbing aid (27) that is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, wherein, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), the second climbing aid (27) in its active position supports the heel portion of the touring boot at a predetermined height above the ski plane that is higher than the predetermined height of the first climbing aid (26), and wherein, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), in the event of a load with a force component acting perpendicularly to the ski plane being applied by the heel portion of the touring boot to the second climbing aid (27) in its active position, the binding body (14) and the base (12) are set up to engage with one another so as to prevent rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12).

9. A heel unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (12) comprises a braking arrangement (30) that is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position, wherein the braking arrangement (30) comprises: a pedal (32) that, on its side remote from the ski, has a tread surface for the heel portion of the touring boot, at least one braking arm (34) that is mounted on the base (12) and on the pedal (32), and a resilient element (36) that is set up to preload the braking arrangement (30) into the braking position.

10. A heel unit (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), the braking arrangement (30) is locked in the sliding position by the binding body (12).

11. A heel unit (10) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that, in the touring position of the heel unit (10), in the event of a load with a force component acting perpendicularly to the ski plane being applied by the heel portion of the touring boot to the binding body (14), the binding body (14) and a portion (38) of the braking arrangement (30) are set up to engage with one another so as to prevent rotation of the binding body (14) about the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing of the base (12).