FRONT UNIT FOR A SKI BINDING WITH DEFINED OPENING COUNTERSTOP ON THE BASE PLATE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front unit for a ski binding, in particular for a touring binding, comprising a base plate with a fastening arrangement for fastening to a ski, two lateral bearing elements which are arranged on a transverse ski axis running substantially orthogonally to a ski longitudinal axis and which are designed to engage lateral counter-bearing elements of a ski boot in order to hold the ski boot pivotably about the transverse ski axis, wherein the bearing elements are adjustable between a closed position in which the bearing elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance designed for engagement with the counter-bearing elements, and an open position in which the bearing elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance which is greater than in the closed position, so that the ski boot can be inserted between the bearing elements or removed from the front unit, and two angles,wherein both angles are held on the base plate so as to be pivotable about an axis, and wherein each of the angles has a first leg, at the distal end of which one of the bearing elements is arranged.

[0002] The distance between the inwardly facing ends of the bearing elements, which are usually designed as pins, in the open position can also be referred to as the opening dimension of the front unit.

[0003] In order to be able to step into the front unit of the ski binding with a ski boot, i.e. to engage the bearing elements with the counter bearing elements provided on the ski boot, which are usually designed as notches on both sides of the ski boot that are complementary to the pins, the opening dimension of the bearing elements in the open position must be greater than the width of the ski boot at the position at which the counter bearing elements are arranged.

[0004] In conventional front units, the opening dimension is usually defined by a contact or stop between an element connected in some way to the brackets and the base plate. This element can be, for example, an operating lever, by means of which the bearing elements can be adjusted via the angles between the open and closed positions, or a locking lever connected to the operating lever, by means of which the bearing elements can be locked in the closed position via the brackets.

[0005] An example of a conventional front unit for a ski binding, in particular for a touring binding, of the type mentioned above is disclosed in EP 0 199 098 A2. This comprises two lateral, inwardly facing pins as bearing elements, which engage with corresponding lateral counter-bearing elements in the form of holes in a front section of a ski boot in order to pivot the ski boot about the transverse axis of the ski for walking. The pins are arranged at the distal ends of respective brackets, wherein the brackets are pivotable against a spring force about axes running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski in order to move the pins between the closed position and the open position.The mechanism described in EP 0 199 098 A2 for moving the angles between the open and closed positions further comprises a snap mechanism in which tension springs keep the angles stable in both the open and closed positions, and the angles pass through an unstable dead center during the transition between the open and closed positions. Such a front unit is also known, for example, from EP 2 309 596 A2.

[0006] Because the opening dimension is defined by contact between the base plate and an element that is only directly or indirectly connected to the angles, the opening dimension can have a relatively large tolerance range, which can be traced back to manufacturing tolerances, such as dimensional tolerances, general tolerances for lengths and angles, ISO tolerances, form and position tolerances, and the like. The more components are arranged between the stop on the base plate and the bearing elements, the larger the tolerance chain and thus the tolerance range of the opening dimension or the distance between the bearing elements. In the conventional front units described above, the tolerances of the ski-fixed base plate, the operating lever, and in the case of a stop between the base plate and the blocking lever, also the blocking lever, the angles, and the bearing elements arranged on the angles add up.

[0007] If the opening dimension of the bearing elements is too small, it is not possible to couple the ski boot with the front unit. However, the larger the opening dimension, the more difficult it becomes for a user to optimally position the ski boot with the counter bearing elements between the bearing elements in order to couple the ski boot and the front unit.

[0008] Since, as mentioned above, the distance between the bearing elements must be greater than the width of a boot at the location of the counter-bearing elements, the opening dimension of the bearing elements in conventional front units is designed to be larger so that sufficient play remains to avoid an opening dimension that is too small due to tolerances, which would prevent the front unit from being coupled to a ski boot.

[0009] One problem is that if the distance between the bearing elements is in the upper sector of this tolerance range, it becomes difficult for the user to optimally position the ski boot with the counter-bearing elements between the bearing elements in order to couple the ski boot and the front unit. If, for example, the user inserts the ski boot twisted, too far forward or too far back between the bearing elements, it is often no longer possible to couple the ski boot and the front unit properly.

[0010] Furthermore, EP 2 489 415 A1 discloses a front unit for a touring binding with a base plate and two lateral bearing elements for engaging lateral counter-bearing elements on the ski boot. The two bearing elements are arranged at two angles, one of which is pivotally mounted on the base plate about a vertical axis orthogonal to the base plate, and the other is rigidly connected to the base plate or formed integrally therewith. In an open position of the front unit, a stop is provided between the pivotable angle and the base plate.

[0011] Furthermore, US 2015 / 0328529 A1 also discloses a front unit for a touring binding with a base plate and two lateral bearing elements for engaging lateral counter-bearing elements on the ski boot. The two bearing elements are arranged at two brackets that are pivotably mounted on the base plate about axes parallel to a ski center axis. A raised part is arranged on the base plate, which, in the closed position of the front unit, forms a stop with arms of a spring clip. The arms of the spring clip are each connected at one end to one of the brackets.

[0012] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a front unit for a ski binding, in particular for a touring binding, of the type described above, with which the problem described above is avoided and in which the most exact possible measurement of the distance between the bearing elements with the smallest possible tolerance range can be ensured.

[0013] The object underlying the invention, formulated above, is achieved by a front unit for a ski binding, in particular for a touring binding according to claim 1.

[0014] An important feature of the invention is therefore a stop, which is effective in the open position and in particular is a direct stop between one or both of the angles and the base plate, which is mounted securely to the ski. This stop determines the distance between the bearing elements in the open position. The interaction of these elements allows the tolerance range of this distance to be reduced to a minimum, as a large tolerance chain caused by intermediate components and force deflections is avoided. Such a stop is also extremely reliable and resistant to failure due to external influences such as ice and snow. The stop is located directly between the base plate and the angle, thus achieving the highest degree of positioning accuracy.

[0015] If the opening dimension of the front unit or the distance between the bearing elements in the open position is defined as precisely as possible and is also only slightly larger than the width of a ski boot at the position of the counter-bearing elements, the user is provided with both a visual and a haptic entry aid when coupling the front unit to the ski boot. The user can both visually determine when their ski boot is in the correct coupling position by visually positioning the counter-bearing elements of the ski boot between the bearing elements, and can also be guided into the correct coupling position haptically by touching or bumping into the bearing elements, which are very closely spaced from the respective counter-bearing elements. The counter-contact section can, for example, be provided on at least one projection on the base plate. Such projections can, in particular, be formed integrally with the base plate.In another embodiment, one or more projections may also be provided as a separate element fixed with respect to the base plate.

[0016] Since both brackets are mounted on the base plate so they can pivot about an axis, this results in a symmetrical arrangement of the brackets with respect to the ski's centerline in the ski's longitudinal direction. Such a symmetrical arrangement of the brackets is advantageous, for example, if the front unit is triggered in the event of a skier's fall, as forces acting laterally to the left or right can be transmitted equally in both directions.

[0017] At this point, it should be noted that, for the purposes of this disclosure, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "lateral", "height direction", "width direction", "longitudinal direction" and the like refer, for the sake of simplicity, to the view of a skier who has stepped into the front unit of a ski binding, in particular a touring binding, mounted on a ski with a ski boot, the ski being arranged in a horizontal plane.

[0018] Furthermore, it should be noted that the term "ski" and the terms containing it, such as "ski boot," "ski binding," "touring binding," "ski plane," "ski longitudinal axis," "ski center axis," "ski width direction," "ski longitudinal direction," and the like, are not intended to refer only to skis in the narrow sense, but equally to splitboards (snowboards that can be divided longitudinally into at least two parts, the individual parts of which can be used like regular skis), snowshoes, or similar boards for walking or gliding on snow and ice. All of these items or parts thereof are considered skis or parts of skis within the meaning of this invention.

[0019] In a further embodiment, one of the angles can be pivotably mounted on the base plate about an axis parallel to the ski's center axis. The other angle can be arranged essentially immovably with respect to the base plate or formed integrally with the base plate. Alternatively, the angle can also be pivotably mounted on the base plate about an axis orthogonal to the ski's center axis.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, both angles can be held on the base plate so that they can each pivot about an axis parallel to the center axis of the ski. If both angles are held on the base plate so that they can each pivot about an axis parallel to the center axis of the ski, this again results in a symmetrical arrangement of the angles with respect to a center axis of the ski in the longitudinal direction of the ski. As mentioned above, such a symmetrical arrangement of the angles is advantageous when the front unit is triggered in the event of a skier fall, since forces acting laterally to the left or right can be transmitted equally in both directions. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the angles to be held on the base plate so that they can each pivot about an axis orthogonal to the center axis of the ski.

[0021] Advantageously, a stop can be provided between the base plate and each of the two angles, such that in the open position, a contact section of each of the angles touches a corresponding mating contact section of the base plate, and in the closed position, the contact sections of the angles do not touch the mating contact sections of the base plate. Such an arrangement allows the distance between the bearing elements in the open position or the opening dimension of the front unit to be defined even more precisely. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to provide a stop between the base plate and only one of the two angles.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the front unit can further comprise a movement device for moving the bearing elements between the open position and the closed position, wherein the movement device has a closing actuation section, the actuation of which causes the bearing elements to move from the open position to the closed position. In such an embodiment, the user only has to support their ski boot on the closing actuation section to step into the front unit and then move the bearing elements from the open position to the closed position by actuating them with the ski boot or in another way. In particular, the user can step onto the closing actuation section with a sole section of a ski boot positioned between the bearing elements and thereby adjust the bearing elements from the open position to the closed position by means of the movement device.For example, the movement device can also convert a movement of the closing actuating section directed toward the ski plane into an approach movement of the bearing elements in order to move the bearing elements into the closed position. Instead of both bearing elements, only one bearing element can move in order to effect an adjustment from the open position to the closed position or vice versa. The decisive factor is that the distance between the bearing elements is greater in the open position than in the closed position. The closing actuating section can, for example, be provided on an arm of an actuating lever pivotably mounted about an axis substantially parallel to the ski plane and can be designed, for example, as a plate section.

[0023] Furthermore, one or both of the angles can be spring-loaded by at least one elastic element, and the bearing elements can be preloaded into the closed position or the open position by overcoming a dead center position of one or both angles. By overcoming a particularly unstable dead center position by the angle(s), a reliable holding of the bearing elements in the closed or open position can be ensured. For example, a joint can be provided between free ends of second legs of the angles, which are opposite the first legs, wherein at least one spring can be arranged between the second leg of each angle and the joint.Such a joint can, for example, engage in a fork-shaped opening of the actuating lever, wherein the fork-shaped opening can be formed on an arm of the actuating lever and a blocking lever can be pivotably mounted on a free end of an opposite arm of the actuating lever about an axis substantially parallel to the ski plane.

[0024] Preferably, the contact section of the angle or angles can be arranged on a second leg of the angle or angles opposite the first leg. Such a design of the angle or angles is easy to implement, since the second leg of the angle opposite the first leg is usually arranged closer to the base plate and therefore only a small projection or the like needs to be formed on the base plate, which can form the counter-contact section. For example, in the open position, the bearing elements can be preloaded away from one another in a ski width direction, and the angles can be held on the base plate so as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the ski center axis.In this case, contact sections provided on the second leg of the angle and the corresponding mating contact sections on the base plate can advantageously stop an upward pivoting movement of the second leg of the angle by the provided stops, thus precisely defining the opening dimension of the front unit. If the contact section is provided on the second leg of the angle, the mating contact section can be arranged in particular on an underside of a projection which overlaps the second leg of the angle in the vertical direction and thus provides the stop between the contact section of the angle and the mating contact section on the base plate in the open position. Alternatively, the contact section of the angle can also be formed at a different location on the angle, such as on the first leg.In this case, the counter-contact portion may be arranged, for example, on an upper side or a side surface of a projection on the base plate below or laterally of the first leg to form the stop.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between mutually facing ends of the bearing elements can be between approximately 66.0 mm and approximately 74.0 mm, thus achieving a good fit for most ski boots. Preferably, the distance is between approximately 66.6 mm and approximately 68.4 mm, so that the distance is adapted to the geometry of the counter-bearing elements of the most common touring ski boots. The optimal distance is selected in the range between approximately 66.6 mm and approximately 67.5 mm, which allows for excellent positioning of the boot when stepping into the touring ski boots.

[0026] The numerical values ​​are based on typical ski boot widths or a specified external distance in the ski width direction of the counter-bearing elements of the ski boot. For example, there are internal manufacturer specifications for such dimensions. One such specification could be an external distance of 66.6 mm in the ski width direction of the counter-bearing elements. In this case, an opening dimension of the front unit or a distance between the bearing elements of between 66.6 mm and 67.5 mm has proven to be most suitable. Structural entry aids, such as stop walls or the like, can also be provided on the counter-bearing elements of the ski boot. These make up the outermost sections of the counter-bearing elements and thus specify an external distance in the ski width direction of the counter-bearing elements.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the base plate and / or the angles can be made of a metallic material. In particular, metals such as aluminum, steel, titanium, and the like, as well as various alloys thereof, are considered. The use of such metals for the base plate and the angles can, for example, provide increased rigidity of the assembly, allowing the opening dimension to be defined even more precisely.

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In detail: Figure 1 is a side view of a front unit for a touring binding according to the embodiment of the present invention in an open position, Figure 2 is a plan view of the front unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in the open position, Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a plan view of the front unit according to the embodiment of the present invention in a closed position and Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line BB in Figure 4 .

[0029] The Figures 1 to 5 The front unit 10 of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown comprises a base plate 12 with a fastening arrangement 14 for attachment to a ski. The base plate 12 can be firmly mounted on a ski, for example, by means of screws inserted into screw holes 14.

[0030] Furthermore, the front unit 10 comprises two lateral bearing elements 16a, 16b, which are arranged on a transverse axis of the ski running substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the ski and which are designed to engage lateral counter-bearing elements of a ski boot in order to pivot the ski boot about the transverse axis of the ski. The bearing elements 16a, 16b are adjustable between a closed position, in which the bearing elements 16a, 16b are spaced apart from one another by a distance designed for engagement with the counter-bearing elements, and an open position, in which the bearing elements 16a, 16b are spaced apart by a distance greater than in the closed position, so that the ski boot can be inserted between the bearing elements 16a, 16b or removed from the front unit 10. The open position of the front unit 10 is Figures 1 to 3 shown and the closed position is in the Figures 4 and 5 shown.

[0031] In addition, the front unit 10 comprises two brackets 18a, 18b, at least one of which 18a is pivotably mounted on the base plate 12 about an axis 20a. Each of the brackets 18a, 18b has a first leg 18a-1, 18b-1, at the distal end of which one of the bearing elements 16a, 16b is arranged. The brackets can be mounted on the base plate 12, in particular, via a pivot axis 20a, 20b running parallel to a ski center axis, so that the brackets 18a, 18b can be pivotably mounted about the pivot axes 20a, 20b. Each angle 18a or 18b comprises the first leg 18a-1, 18b-1, which can project upwards with respect to a ski plane defined by the ski (the plane in which a running surface of the ski lies), ie extends approximately in a height direction orthogonal to the ski plane.Furthermore, each angle 18a, 18b may comprise a second leg 18a-2, 18b-2, which may extend from the first leg 18a-1, 18b-1 towards the ski center axis of the ski and may be oriented approximately parallel to the ski plane.

[0032] A stop 22a, 24a is provided between the base plate 12 and at least one 18a of the two angles 18a, 18b. The stop acts such that, in the open position, a contact portion 22a of the angle 18a touches a corresponding mating contact portion 24a of the base plate 12, and in the closed position, the contact portion 22a of the angle does not touch the mating contact portion 24a of the base plate 12. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, in particular between the base plate 12 and each 18a, 18b of the two angles 18a, 18b, a stop 22a, 24a, 22b, 24b can be provided, which in turn act in such a way that in the open position a contact section 22a, 22b of each of the angles 18a, 18b touches a corresponding mating contact section 24a, 24b of the base plate 12 and in the closed position the contact sections 22a, 22b of the angles 18a, 18b do not touch the mating contact sections 24a, 24b of the base plate 12.Advantageously, the contact section 22a, 22b of the angles 18a, 18b can be arranged on a second leg 18a-2, 18b-2 of the angles 18a, 18b, opposite the first leg 18a-1, 18b-1. For example, the counter-contact sections 24a, 24b can be arranged in particular on undersides 24a, 24b of projections that overlap the second legs 18a-2, 18b-2 of the angles 18a, 18b in the vertical direction and thus, in the open position, provide the stop(s) 22a, 24a, 22b, 24b between the contact section(s) 22a, 22b of the angle(s) 18a, 18b and the counter-contact section(s) 24a, 24b on the base plate 12.

[0033] In addition, the base plate 12 and / or the angles 18a, 18b can be made in particular from a metallic material, such as aluminum, steel, titanium and the like, as well as various alloys thereof.

[0034] Distal ends (ends remote from the pivot axes 20a, 20b) of the second legs 18a-2, 18b-2 of the angles 18a, 18b can be extended toward the ski center axis by at least one pin (not shown) arranged on the second legs 18a-2, 18b-2. The pins can be slidably inserted into holes in end caps 32a, 32b with their ends facing the ski center axis, wherein the pin of one angle 18a can be inserted into a hole in a first end cap 32a and the pin of the other angle 18b can be inserted into a hole in a second end cap 32b. A spiral spring 34 can be wound around each of the pins, wherein each of the spiral springs 34 can be supported on the one hand on the distal end of the angle 18a, 18b and on the other hand on the end cap 32a, 32b in order to move the end caps 32a, 32b in a direction away from the angles 18a, 18b, iein the direction of an approach of the two end caps 32a, 32b, so that the end caps 32a, 32b abut against each other and are pressed against each other.

[0035] Distal ends of the first legs 18a-1, 18b-1 each have one of the bearing elements 16a, 16b. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearing elements 16a, 16b can be present, in particular, as bearing pins 16a, 16b, which each protrude inward from the first leg 18a-1, 18b-1, i.e., toward the center axis of the ski, and taper to a conical point at their protruding ends. The tips of the bearing pins 16a, 16b thus point approximately toward one another and define the opening dimension of the front unit 10.

[0036] The front unit 10 may further comprise a movement device 18a, 18b, 26, 28 for moving the bearing elements 16a, 16b between the open position and the closed position, wherein the movement device 18a, 18b, 26, 28 may have a closing actuating section 30, the actuation of which causes a movement of the bearing elements 16a, 16b from the open position to the closed position. In addition, one 18a or both 18a, 18b of the angles 18a, 18b can be spring-loaded by at least one elastic element 34, which can be embodied in particular by the spiral springs 34, and the bearing elements 16a, 16b, in particular in the form of the bearing pins 16a, 16b, can be prestressed into the closed position or into the open position by overcoming a dead center position of one 18a or both 18a, 18b angles.

[0037] Furthermore, a two-armed actuating lever 26 can be pivotably mounted on the base plate 12 about an actuating lever pivot axis 27 extending substantially orthogonal to the ski center axis and substantially parallel to the ski plane. A first arm 26-1 of the actuating lever 26 can extend from the actuating lever pivot axis 27 toward the end caps 32a, 32b of the brackets 18a, 18b and can encompass the end caps 32a, 32b with a fork-like end portion 30. For this purpose, the fork-like end section 30 can have the closing actuation section 30, which can be in the form of a first plate section 31 which extends from the first arm 26-1 a little way beyond the end caps 32a, 32b, and a second plate section (not shown) which extends from the first arm 26-1 a little way below both end caps 32a, 32b.The end caps 32a, 32b can thus be received between the plate sections of the actuating lever 26 and a pivoting movement of the actuating lever 26 about the actuating lever pivot axis 27 can be coupled in motion to a pivoting movement of the angles 18a, 18b about the pivot axes 20a, 20b.

[0038] A second arm 26-2 of the actuating lever 26 can extend from the actuating lever pivot axis 27 substantially in the opposite direction to the first arm 26-1 and can be connected at its distal end to a blocking lever 28. The blocking lever 28 can be pivotally mounted at the distal end of the second arm 26-2 on a blocking lever pivot axis 29 that is substantially orthogonal to the ski center axis and substantially parallel to the ski plane, and can have an operating section 28-1 and a blocking section 28-2, which can extend from the blocking lever pivot axis 29 in different, in particular substantially opposite, directions. The front unit 10 can be locked in the closed position by the blocking lever 28.The blocking lever 28 can be adjustable between a blocking position and a release position and can be configured to lock the front unit 10 in the closed position in the blocking position, for example, by the blocking section 28-2 cooperating with the base plate 12. The brackets 18a, 18b with the spring-loaded end caps 32a, 32b, the actuating lever 26, and the blocking lever 28 can thus together form the movement device 18a, 18b, 26, 28.

[0039] The operation of the front unit 10 of the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 5 explained. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the described operations of the front unit 10 are intended to be merely exemplary.

[0040] A user can enter the front unit 10 with the ski boot when the angles 18a, 18b are in the Figures 1 to 3 shown open position, in which the end caps 32a, 32b with the fork-like end section 30 are moved into the upper position and the bearing pins 16a, 16b are pivoted outwards accordingly. The contact section 22a, 22b of the angles 18a, 18b can press against the counter-contact section 24a, 24b on the base plate 12, thereby ensuring an optimal opening dimension between the bearing elements 16a, 16b. The bearing elements or bearing pins 16a, 16b can then be far enough apart that a sole section of a ski boot can be inserted between them with as little play as possible. A running surface of the sole section can be placed on the closing actuation section 30 and supported from above on the closing actuation section 30.

[0041] Subsequently, the fork-like end section 30 can move toward the ski by exerting a force directed toward the ski through the ski boot on the closing actuation section 30 (or / and by manually pivoting the blocking lever 28). The fork-like end section 30 can thereby carry the end caps 32a, 32b and pivot the brackets 18a, 18b about the pivot axes 20a, 20b. Accordingly, the bearing pins 16a, 16b can approach each other and move toward the ski boot. This movement can occur against the resistance of the coil springs 34, since a contact point between the end caps 32a, 32b in the open position can lie above a connecting line between the pivot axes 20a, 20b. Accordingly, an approach of the contact point to the connecting line can mean a reduction of the respective distances between the end caps 32a, 32b and the angles 18a, 18b and thus a compression of the spiral springs 34.

[0042] When the end caps 32a, 32b are approximately level with the connecting line, the movement mechanism can reach a dead center, at which the resistance of the coil springs 34 to the approach of the end caps 32a, 32b to the connecting line switches into an acceleration of the end caps 32a, 32b, caused by the force of the springs 34, in the direction of further approach to the ski. The force of the coil springs 34, which in this case can always push the end caps 32a, 32b away from the connecting line, can thus cause the movement mechanism to switch at the dead center and automatically push the brackets 18a, 18b toward a closed position, in which the bearing pins 16a, 16b are preloaded toward mutual approach.

[0043] At the latest when passing through the dead center, the closing actuating section 30 can have a height above the ski which positions the ski boot supported on the closing actuating section 30 at a correct height with respect to the bearing pins 16a, 16b, so that bearing holes or the counter-bearing elements of the ski boot are located at approximately the same height as the bearing pins or the bearing elements 16a, 16b, so that during the further movement of the movement device into the closed position, the bearing pins 16a, 16b can securely engage in the bearing holes.

[0044] In the closed position, the brackets 18a, 18b can be stably preloaded by the above-described action of the coil springs 34. However, to improve the load-bearing capacity of the front unit 10 and reliably prevent pivoting of the brackets 18a, 18b into the open position due to a force acting from the ski boot on the bearing pins 16a, 16b, the blocking lever 28 can additionally be pivoted into a blocking position in which a distal end of the blocking section 28-2 rests against the ski below the blocking lever pivot axis 29, so that movement of the second arm 26-2 of the actuating lever 26 toward the ski and thus an upward movement of the fork-like end section 30 is blocked.

[0045] To open the front unit 10, the blocking lever 28 can first be pivoted back from the blocking position so that the distal end 28-2 is released from contact with the surface of the base plate 12. The blocking lever 28 can then be grasped at the operating section 28-1 and moved toward the ski, pivoting the actuating lever 26 and moving the fork-like end section 30 upward. The movement device can counteract this opening movement with the resistance of the coil springs 34 until the end caps 32a, 32b again pass through the dead center at the level of the connecting line between the pivot axes 20a, 20b. The springs 34 can then automatically push the end caps 32a, 32b further upward toward the open position, ultimately holding the brackets 18a, 18b in the open position.The contact section 22a, 22b of the angles 18a, 18b can be pressed against the counter-contact section 24a, 24b on the base plate 12, thereby ensuring the necessary distance between the bearing pins 16a, 16b. The bearing pins 16a, 16b can then disengage from the bearing holes, and the ski boot can finally be pulled out of the front unit 10.

Claims

1. Front unit (10) for a ski binding, in particular an alpine touring binding, comprising: a base plate (12) comprising a fastening assembly (14) for fastening to a ski, two lateral bearing elements (16a, 16b), which are arranged on a transverse ski axis extending substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal ski axis and are configured to engage with lateral counter-bearing elements of a ski boot in order to hold the ski boot so as to be pivotable about the transverse ski axis, the bearing elements (16a, 16b) being adjustable between a closed position, in which the bearing elements (16a, 16b) have a spacing from one another that is configured for engagement with the counter-bearing elements, and an open position, in which the bearing elements (16a, 16b) have a spacing that is greater than in the closed position, such that the ski boot can be introduced between the bearing elements (16a, 16b) or can be removed from the front unit (10), and two brackets (18a, 18b), with both brackets (18a, 18b) being held on the base plate (12) so as to each be pivotable about a shaft (20a, 20b), and each of the brackets (18a, 18b) comprising a first leg (18a-1, 18b-1), at the distal end of which one of the bearing elements (16a, 16b) is arranged, characterised in that a stop (22a, 24a) is provided between the base plate (12) and at least one (18a) of the two brackets (18a, 18b), such that a contact portion (22a) of the bracket (18a) is in direct contact with a corresponding counter-contact portion (24a) of the base plate (12) in the open position, and the contact is broken in the closed position.

2. Front unit (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one (18a) of the brackets (18a, 18b) is held on the base plate (12) so as to be pivotable about a shaft (20a) that is parallel to the central ski axis.

3. Front unit (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that both brackets (18a, 18b) are held on the base plate (12) so as to each be pivotable about a shaft (20a, 20b) that is parallel to the central ski axis.

4. Front unit (10) according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterised in that a stop (22a, 24a, 22b, 24b) is provided between the base plate (12) and each (18a, 18b) of the two brackets (18a, 18b), such that a contact portion (22a, 22b) of each of the brackets (18a, 18b) touches a corresponding counter-contact portion (24a, 24b) of the base plate (12) in the open position, and the contact portions (22a, 22b) of the brackets (18a, 18b) do not touch the counter-contact portions (24a, 24b) of the base plate (12) in the closed position.

5. Front unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a movement apparatus (18a, 18b, 26, 28) for moving the bearing elements (16a, 16b) between the open position and the closed position, the movement apparatus (18a, 18b, 26, 28) comprising a closing actuation portion (30), the actuation of which causes the bearing elements (16a, 16b) to move from the open position into the closed position.

6. Front unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that one (18a) or both (18a, 18b) of the brackets (18a, 18b) are spring-loaded by at least one resilient element (34) and the bearing elements (16a, 16b) are preloaded into the closed position or into the open position by overcoming a dead centre position of one (18a) or both (18a, 18b) brackets.

7. Front unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact portion (22a, 22b) of the bracket (18a) or brackets (18a, 18b) is arranged on a second leg (18a-2, 18b-2) of the bracket (18a) or brackets (18a, 18b) that is opposite the first leg (18a-1, 18b-1).

8. Front unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spacing between ends of the bearing elements (16a, 16b) that face one another is between approximately 66.0 mm and approximately 74 mm, preferably between approximately 66.6 mm and approximately 68.4 mm, more preferably between approximately 66.6 mm and approximately 67.5 mm.

9. Front unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base plate (12) and / or the brackets (18a, 18b) are made of a metal material.