Heel unit of a touring binding, comprising a one-piece climbing aid with multiple support options

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heel unit of a touring binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Heel units of this type are particularly known as part of ski touring bindings, in which a ski touring boot is pivotably mounted on a front unit of the binding about a rotation axis running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the gliding board. A heel unit of the type mentioned above is arranged in the heel area of ​​the ski touring binding. This holds the ski touring boot in the downhill position, thus securing it to the ski, and releases it in the walking position, allowing it to lift off the gliding board while walking.

[0003] A climbing aid is used to compensate for changing gradients in the terrain while walking. Steep terrain can be compensated for by activating the climbing aid and thus by raising the contact surface above the gliding board for a heel section of the ski touring boot. Conventional heel units of the type mentioned above usually have one or two climbing aids. This means that in addition to an optionally provided, so-called zero position, in which no climbing aid is activated and the heel section of the ski touring boot rests directly on the gliding board, the base or a brake pedal of the heel unit, one or two further, in particular different, contact heights can be set by adjusting or activating the respective climbing aid by the user.

[0004] A heel unit of this type is disclosed, for example, in DE 102011 079 210 A1. In the described heel unit, the binding body is rotated approximately 90° clockwise around a vertical axis to adjust between the downhill position and the walking position. In the walking position, two separately designed climbing aids can be activated by pivoting around a common pivot axis parallel to a gliding board plane in order to set different support heights for a heel section of a ski touring boot above the gliding board plane. Either a first climbing aid is pivoted around the pivot axis to obtain a first support height, or a second climbing aid is additionally pivoted around the pivot axis to obtain a higher, second support height.

[0005] A problem with the heel unit known from DE 10 2011 079 210 A1 is the increased manufacturing costs as well as the increased assembly costs, since two components have to be manufactured in the form of the two separately designed climbing aids, which have to be assembled in two assembly steps during assembly.

[0006] Another possibility for supporting the heel section of a ski touring boot at a predetermined height above the gliding board plane is disclosed in EP 0 199 098 A2. The touring binding described therein has a heel unit on whose binding body support sections are provided as climbing aids, integrally provided at various heights above the gliding board plane. The binding body is rotatable about a vertical axis or axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane. In this way, different support heights for the heel section can be set by rotating the binding body. Activating a climbing aid without rotating the binding body, however, is not possible.

[0007] A problem with the heel unit known from EP 0 199 098 A2 is in particular its lack of user-friendliness, since during ascent the entire binding body has to be rotated around the vertical axis each time in order to change the support height for the heel section of the ski touring boot.

[0008] EP 3 202 469 B1, EP 3 453 433 A1, EP 3 769 823 A1 and US 2018 / 353839 A1 each disclose a heel unit of a touring binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 224 576 A1 discloses a heel unit for a touring binding with a climbing aid, the climbing aid pivot axis of which is arranged at an angle of approximately 45° to a gliding board longitudinal axis in a first rotational position of the binding body.

[0010] Against the background of these problems, it was the object of the present invention to provide a heel unit of a touring binding which, compared to known heel units, is cost-effective to manufacture and, with the same or similar range of functions, is as user-friendly as possible in terms of its operation.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a heel unit of a touring binding according to claim 1.

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first position of the climbing aid is an active position in which support of the heel section of the gliding board shoe is possible, and the second position of the climbing aid is an inactive position in which support is not possible. The walking position of the heel unit can be realized, on the one hand, in the first rotational position of the binding body when the climbing aid is set in the first position, and, on the other hand, independently of the position of the climbing aid, in the second rotational position of the binding body. The downhill position of the heel unit is realized when the binding body is set in the first rotational position and the climbing aid is set in the second position.

[0013] An important aspect of the solution according to the invention is that by means of one and the same component, in the form of the one-piece climbing aid, a support surface for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe can be provided both in the first rotational position of the binding body and in the second rotational position of the binding body, in particular by simply folding or pivoting the climbing aid around the climbing aid pivot axis.

[0014] This results in the advantage that in order to implement various support options for the heel section above the gliding board level, only one integral component in the form of the one-piece climbing aid needs to be manufactured, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly costs. Such a foldable, one-piece climbing aid is also particularly user-friendly, since by pivoting the climbing aid about the climbing aid pivot axis, various adjustment options for the support height for the heel section of the gliding board shoe can be easily provided. The heel unit according to the present invention therefore offers the possibility of reducing the number of parts and thus the manufacturing and assembly costs of the heel unit, while still being able to provide several different support options for the heel section of a gliding board shoe.

[0015] Because the binding body is rotated in the second rotational position relative to the first rotational position by approximately 60° to approximately 120°, in particular approximately 90°, about the rotational axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane, the heel unit can be adjusted between the downhill position and the walking position by simply rotating the binding body about the rotational axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane. Such a rotation can be performed either clockwise or counterclockwise. Alternatively, the binding body can also be rotated in the second rotational position relative to the first rotational position, for example, by approximately 180° about the rotational axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane.

[0016] Advantageously, the first support section and the second support section can provide different support heights for the heel section of the gliding board shoe. Different support heights for the heel section offer the advantage that, when walking uphill, the orientation of the sole of the gliding board shoe can be better adapted to varying terrain steepness by choosing between different support heights for supporting the shoe heel.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the climbing aid can comprise the first and second support sections for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a specific height above the gliding board plane, as well as a first and a second arm section which extend in different directions, wherein the first support section is provided on the first arm section and the second support section is provided on the second arm section. Such arm sections can extend away from one another, in particular in main extension directions, wherein an angle between the main extension directions is preferably between approximately 45° and approximately 135°, in particular approximately 90°. By providing two arm sections extending in different directions on the climbing aid, a second climbing aid in the form of an additional component can be dispensed with.In this way, the climbing aid can be designed as a single piece and costs can be saved during production and assembly, as no additional component needs to be produced and assembled.

[0018] If the climbing aid comprises a first and a second arm section, on which the first and second support sections are provided for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe, the first support section can be designed to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a first height above the gliding board plane, and the second support section can be designed to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a second height above the gliding board plane, wherein the first height and the second height differ from one another. In particular, it is envisaged that the first arm section can be switched on in the first rotational position of the binding body by adjusting the climbing aid from an inactive or second position to an active or first position, and the second arm section can be switched on in the second rotational position of the binding body by adjusting the climbing aid from the inactive orthe second position can be switched into the active or first position. In the first or active position of the climbing aid, the first support section on the first arm section can provide a lower support height than the second support section on the second arm section, so that in the first rotational position of the binding body, a lower support height for the heel section of the gliding board shoe on the first support section of the first arm section can be selected, and in the second rotational position of the binding body, either a so-called zero position, in which the heel section of the shoe rests on the gliding board itself, on the base of the heel unit, or on a section of a braking arrangement of the heel unit (not described) during a walking movement, or a higher support height for the heel section of the gliding board shoe on the second support section of the second arm section can be selected.However, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and it is also possible for the support height above the gliding board in the second rotational position of the binding body on the support section of the second arm section of the climbing aid to be lower than the support height above the gliding board in the first rotational position of the binding body on the support section of the first arm section of the climbing aid. Different support heights for the heel section above the gliding board, in turn, offer the advantage that, when walking uphill, the alignment of the shoe sole can be better adapted to different steep terrain by being able to choose between the different support heights.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the climbing aid pivot axis can be substantially parallel to the gliding board plane. A parallel arrangement of the climbing aid pivot axis with respect to the gliding board plane is particularly advantageous with regard to the manufacture of the heel unit and the stability of a connection between the binding body and the climbing aid.

[0020] In addition, the climbing aid pivot axis can be arranged in the first rotational position of the binding body at an angle of between approximately 20° and approximately 70°, in particular approximately 45°, to a gliding board longitudinal axis. With a climbing aid pivot axis arranged essentially parallel to the gliding board plane, the climbing aid can be selectively activated in the respective positions of the heel unit by adjusting the angle between the gliding board longitudinal axis and this climbing aid pivot axis. In particular, when the binding body is rotated by approximately 90° between the first and second rotational positions, an angle between the gliding board longitudinal axis and the climbing aid pivot axis of approximately 45° is advantageous in order to be able to activate the climbing aid by pivoting around the climbing aid pivot axis.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the initially formulated inventive problem is solved by a heel unit of a touring binding according to claim 7.

[0022] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second positions of the climbing aid, depending on the rotational position of the binding body, are to be understood either as an active position in which support of the heel section of the gliding board shoe is possible, or as an inactive position in which support is not possible. The walking position of the heel unit can be realized, on the one hand, in the first rotational position of the binding body when the climbing aid is set to the first position, and on the other hand, independently of the position of the climbing aid, in the second rotational position of the binding body, wherein ascending is possible either with or without the climbing aid being activated. The downhill position of the heel unit is realized when the binding body is set to the first rotational position and the climbing aid is set to the second position.

[0023] Thus, the first support section is effective in the first position of the climbing aid to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe, and the second support section is effective on the opposite side or the back of the arm section in the second position of the climbing aid to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe. In particular, the first support section is effective in the first rotational position of the binding body, and the second support section is effective in the second rotational position of the binding body.

[0024] According to an important feature of the present invention, in this way a support surface for the heel section of the gliding board shoe can be provided in both the first and the second rotational positions of the binding body, without the climbing aid necessarily having to have two arm sections, by providing one of the support sections on the back of a single arm section.

[0025] Another alternative possibility is for the climbing aid to comprise two arm sections, each of which has a support section on one side and can additionally have another support section on the opposite side. In this way, the climbing aid could provide a total of up to four different support sections for the heel section of the gliding board boot, depending on its own position and the rotational position of the binding body on the front and back sides of the two arm sections, thus providing even more support options to adapt the support height to different terrain gradients.

[0026] If the climbing aid comprises an arm section, on one side of which a first support section is provided for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe and on the opposite side of which a second support section is provided for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe, the first support section can be configured to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a first height above the gliding board plane, and the second support section can be configured to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a second height above the gliding board plane, wherein the first height and the second height differ from one another.In particular, it is envisaged that the first support section is arranged on a side of the arm section, referred to below as the front side, and can be switched on in the first rotational position of the binding body by adjusting the climbing aid from the second position to the first position, and the second support section is arranged on a side of the arm section opposite the front side, referred to below as the back side, and can be switched on in the second rotational position of the binding body by adjusting the climbing aid from the first position to the second position.In particular, the first support section can provide a lower support height than the second support section, so that in the first rotational position of the binding body, a lower support height for the heel section of the gliding board shoe on the front side of the arm section can be selected when the climbing aid is pivoted into the second position, and in the second rotational position of the binding body, either a zero position described above when the climbing aid is pivoted into the first position, or a higher support height for the heel section of the gliding board shoe on the back side of the arm section can be selected when the climbing aid is pivoted into the second position.However, the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and it is also possible for the support height above the gliding board in the second rotational position of the binding body on the support section at the rear of the arm section of the climbing aid to be lower than the support height above the gliding board in the first rotational position of the binding body on the support section at the front of the arm section of the climbing aid. In both cases, different support heights for the heel section above the gliding board offer the advantage that, when walking uphill, the alignment of the shoe sole can be better adapted to different steep terrain by being able to choose between the different support heights.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the climbing aid can be pretensioned into the first position and / or the second position by an elastic element. In particular, the climbing aid can pass through a dead center during adjustment between the first and second positions, so that it is always pretensioned either into the first position or into the second position throughout its path of movement. This can advantageously be achieved, for example, by means of a leaf spring or a spring plate as the elastic element, which can interact with a link at the end of the climbing aid facing the binding body.A further possibility is that the climbing aid is pre-tensioned into the first or second position by the elastic element and, at the dead center passage described above, an additional position of the climbing aid is defined by the design of the linkage, in which position it protrudes from the binding body and the tensioning forces of the elastic element on the climbing aid in the first and second positions cancel each other out or are ineffective. This can be achieved, for example, by a substantially flat surface provided on the linkage. In this way, the various positions of the climbing aid can be defined by the elastic element in interaction with the linkage at the end of the climbing aid facing the binding body.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the climbing aid can comprise a recess designed to engage with the tip of a ski pole. In particular, such a recess can be formed as a through-hole, which can have a slightly larger diameter than the tip of a standard ski pole. Such a recess can be used to rotate the binding body in a particularly simple manner via the climbing aid attached to the binding body in order to adjust it between the first and second rotational positions.

[0029] The climbing aid can advantageously be made of a metallic or plastic material. Light metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloys are particularly suitable as metallic materials. To save weight, various plastics such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide (PA) or glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) can also be used, which provide the necessary strength properties even at low temperatures. Metallic materials provide the climbing aid, which is subject to heavy wear and tear during walking, with the necessary stability, while the aforementioned plastic materials represent a good compromise between stability and manufacturing costs.

[0030] Preferably, the heel unit can further comprise coupling pins arranged on the binding body and configured to engage, in the downhill position of the heel unit, with recesses provided in a heel region of the gliding board boot in order to secure the gliding board boot to the touring binding. Such coupling pins can preferably be made of a metallic material, in particular a steel alloy, and engage with recesses in a likewise metallic insert provided in the heel region of the gliding board boot. In this way, a high degree of stability of the connection between the gliding board boot and the heel unit or gliding board binding can be achieved.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object of the invention formulated at the outset is achieved by a touring binding comprising a heel unit according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0032] The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a heel unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a binding body in a first rotational position and a climbing aid in a second position. Figure 2 shows a front view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the second position. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in a first position. Figure 4 shows a front view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 5 shows a top view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position.Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in a second rotational position and the climbing aid in the second position. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the second rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 8 shows a top view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the second rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 9 shows a front view of the heel unit of the first embodiment with the binding body in the second rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a heel unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention with a binding body in a first rotational position and a climbing aid in a second position.Figure 11 shows a front view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the second position. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in a first position. Figure 13 shows a front view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 14 shows a top view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the first rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position. Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in a second rotational position and the climbing aid in the first position.Figure 16 is a perspective view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the second rotational position and the climbing aid in the second position, and Figure 17 is a front view of the heel unit of the second embodiment with the binding body in the second rotational position and the climbing aid in the second position.

[0033] One in the Figures 1 to 9The heel unit, generally designated 10, of a touring binding according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 12 for attaching the heel unit 10 to a gliding board (not shown). A fastening arrangement of the base 12, realized, for example, by fastening holes 14 for fastening screws, as well as a lower contact surface 16 of the base 12, define a gliding board plane E corresponding to a surface of the gliding board on which the heel unit 10 is to be mounted. The base 12 also defines a gliding board longitudinal direction or X-axis, which is oriented in the direction of travel of the gliding board, a Y-axis running orthogonal to the X-axis and parallel to the gliding board plane E, and a Z-axis running orthogonal to the gliding board plane E.

[0034] The base 12 can be formed in two parts, with a first base element 20 and a second base element 22. For attachment to the gliding board, the first base element 20 can, for example, have the fastening arrangement for attachment by means of screws, which is realized, for example, by corresponding bores in the first base element 20. The second base element 22 can be attached to the first base element 20 and held on the first base element 20 so as to be displaceable in the X direction in order to enable longitudinal positioning of the heel unit 10 for adaptation to a shoe size and / or to enable a certain mobility of the heel unit 10 relative to the gliding board along the X axis within a predetermined dynamic range of motion.In the present embodiment, the first base element 20 is embodied by a base plate 20 which is screwed onto the sliding board by means of fastening holes 14, and the second base element 22 is realized by a base carriage 22 which is displaceable in the X direction on the base plate 20.

[0035] The heel unit 10 is adjustable between a downhill position and a walking position. In the downhill position, the heel unit 10 is configured to engage with a heel portion of a gliding board boot to secure it to the touring binding, and in the walking position, to release the heel portion of the gliding board boot so that it can lift off the heel unit 10.

[0036] The heel unit 10 further comprises a binding body 32, which is mounted on the base 12, in particular on the second base element 22 or base carriage 22, so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis A orthogonal to the gliding board plane E and extending in the Z-direction. The binding body 32 is adjustable at least between a first rotational position, which is Figures 1 to 5 shown, and a second rotational position, which is in the Figures 6 to 9 is shown. In the second rotational position, the binding body 32 is rotated relative to the first rotational position by approximately 60° to approximately 120° about the rotational axis A.

[0037] For example, when considering the Figures 8 and 5 As can be seen, the binding body 32 in the present embodiment can be rotated in the second rotational position relative to the first rotational position, in particular by approximately 90° about the rotational axis A.

[0038] The base 12, in particular the second base element 22, preferably has a bearing section 28 on which a counter-bearing section 30 of the binding body 32 is mounted, so that the binding body 32 can rotate relative to the base 12 about the rotational axis A running in the Z direction. The rotational movement between the binding body 32 and the base 12 can be controlled by a known Mz release mechanism with a release spring (not shown) accommodated within the binding body, the pretension of which can be adjusted via an adjusting screw 60. The rotational axis A can therefore also be referred to as the release rotational axis A.

[0039] The heel unit 10 can comprise coupling means 18 for coupling to the gliding board boot in order to secure the gliding board boot in the downhill position of the heel unit 10 or the first rotational position of the binding body. In a manner known per se, the coupling means 18 can be formed by two coupling pins 18l, 18r extending substantially in the X direction, extending in a plane parallel to the gliding board plane E and projecting forward from the heel unit 10 in the downhill position. The coupling pins 18l, 18r can be separate pins or form the ends of a U-shaped bracket.

[0040] As in the Figures 1 to 5As can be seen, the coupling pins 18l, 18r in the present embodiment can be aligned in the X-direction in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 or point forward in a direction of travel, whereas in the second rotational position of the binding body 32 the coupling pins 18l, 18r can be aligned in the Y-direction or opposite to the Y-direction, as in the Figures 6 to 9 is shown. Accordingly, it can be seen that a rotation of the binding body 32 from the first rotational position, in which the coupling pins 18l, 18r point forward and can engage with recesses in the heel area of ​​the gliding board shoe, to the second rotational position, in which the coupling pins 18l, 18r do not point forward in the direction of the gliding board shoe and thus cannot hold it, basically defines the adjustment of the heel unit 10 from the downhill position to the walking position.

[0041] In order to be able to adapt to the terrain when walking with the touring binding using the heel unit 10, i.e. to compensate for varying steepness of the terrain, the heel unit 10 also comprises a one-piece climbing aid 40 which is designed to support the heel section of the gliding board boot at least a predetermined height above the gliding board plane E. The climbing aid is mounted on the binding body 32 so as to be pivotable about a climbing aid pivot axis S and can be adjusted between a first position and a second position by means of a pivoting movement about the climbing aid pivot axis S. The first position of the climbing aid 40 is also referred to below as the active position, and the second position is also referred to as the inactive position.

[0042] In Figure 1, a perspective view of the heel unit 10 according to the first embodiment, the binding body 32 is in its first rotational position and the climbing aid 40 is in its inactive or second position. The same applies Figure 2 , which shows a front view of the heel unit 10. As can be seen, the climbing aid pivot axis S in the present embodiment runs essentially parallel to the gliding board plane E.

[0043] If the climbing aid 40 is now starting from the Figures 1 and 2 shown second position about the climbing aid pivot axis S into its first position, as shown in a perspective view of the heel unit 10 in Figure 3As shown, it provides the heel portion of the gliding board shoe with support at a predetermined height h1 above the gliding board plane E by means of a first support portion 42A, which may in particular be provided on a first arm portion 42 of the climbing aid 40, as shown in a front view of the heel unit 10 in Figure 4 The climbing aid 40 is thus configured, in its first position, to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 by means of the first support portion 42A. Figures 3 and 4 It can also be seen that the climbing aid 40 further comprises a second support portion 44A, which can be provided on a second arm portion 44 of the climbing aid 40.

[0044] The climbing aid 40 can be pre-tensioned into the first position and / or the second position by an elastic element 50. As shown in the Figures 1 and 2As shown, such an elastic element 50 can be embodied by a leaf spring 50 in the form of a resilient sheet metal part 50, which can be fastened, for example, by means of screws 52 to an upper side of the binding body 32 and presses from below against a link surface 48 which is arranged at an end of the stiffening aid 40 facing the binding body 32. The climbing aid 40 can pass through a dead center when adjusted between the first and the second position, so that it is always pretensioned either in the first position or in the second position over its path of movement. At such a dead center passage between the first and the second position of the climbing aid 40, a middle position of the climbing aid 40 can additionally be defined, in which the climbing aid 40 protrudes essentially upwards in the Z direction from the binding body 32 and the pretensioning forces of the elastic element on the climbing aid 40 are directed into the first orcancel the second position or are not effective. In the present exemplary embodiment, this can be achieved by providing a substantially flat section on the guide surface 48, which section contacts the leaf spring 50 in the central position. If the climbing aid 40 is moved by the user so far in the direction of its first or second position that the leaf spring 50 no longer interacts with the flat section of the guide track 48, the climbing aid 40 snaps, as it were, into the first or second position due to the elastic spring action.

[0045] As mentioned above, the heel unit 10 can basically be adjusted between the downhill position and the walking position by rotating the binding body 32. However, it is also possible, in the first rotational position of the binding body 32, to simply pivot the climbing aid 40 about the climbing aid pivot axis S and to adjust it to its first / active position in order to achieve a walking position of the heel unit 10. If the climbing aid 40 is set to the active position in the first rotational position of the binding body 32, as shown in the Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first arm portion 42 or the support portion 42A covers the coupling pins 18l, 18r and thus prevents them from engaging with the heel portion of the gliding board shoe.

[0046] Figure 5is a top view of the heel unit 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen that the climbing aid pivot axis S in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 can be arranged at an angle of approximately 45° to the gliding board longitudinal direction X. This angle can also be between approximately 15° and approximately 75°.

[0047] The first arm section 42 with the first support section 42A and the second arm section 44 with the second support section 44A can, as shown, extend away from each other in particular in different directions. These directions can be adjusted depending on the angular position of the climbing aid pivot axis S with respect to the gliding board longitudinal direction X such that, in the active position of the climbing aid 40, the first support section 42A is positioned in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 below the heel section of the gliding board shoe in order to support the same, and the second support section 44A is positioned in the second rotational position of the binding body 32 (see, for example, Figures 7 and 8 ) is positioned below the heel section of the gliding board shoe to support it.

[0048] It can also be seen that the climbing aid 40 can comprise a recess 46 designed to engage with the tip of a ski pole. In the present exemplary embodiment, the recess 46 is designed as a through-hole 46. Such a recess 46 can be provided at any location on the climbing aid 40 that a user of the heel unit 10 can reach with the tip of a ski pole, so that the user can insert the tip of the ski pole into the recess 46 and, with their ski pole, rotate the binding body 32 via the climbing aid 40 mounted on the binding body 32 to adjust it between the first and second rotational positions.

[0049] In the Figures 6 to 9The binding body 32 is shown in the second rotational position. The heel unit 10 is therefore in the walking position regardless of the position of the climbing aid 40, since the coupling pins 18l, 18r do not point forward toward the gliding board shoe and thus cannot engage therewith.

[0050] The Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of the heel unit 10 showing the climbing aid 40 in the second / inactive position ( Figure 6 ) or pivoted around the climbing aid pivot axis S, in the first / active position ( Figure 7 ) show. With reference to Figure 6 the heel portion of the gliding board shoe can be mounted on a base 24 provided on the base 12, in particular on the second base element 22, at a relatively low height h0 (cf. Figures 4 and 9) above the gliding board plane E. This setting, i.e., the binding body 32 in the second rotational position and the climbing aid 40 in the second / inactive position, can be used particularly when walking on flat or only slightly steep terrain to provide the user with the most neutral shoe position possible over the gliding board. Furthermore, in this so-called zero position, it is possible to increase the stride length.

[0051] In Figure 7 as well as in Figure 8 , a plan view of the heel unit 10, in which the climbing aid 40 is shown in the active position, it can be seen that the heel section of the gliding board shoe can be supported on the second support section 44A, which is arranged on the second arm section 44 of the climbing aid 40, during a walking movement.

[0052] Figure 9is a front view of the heel unit 10, in which different heights h0, h1 and h2 of a support on the socket 24 of the base 12, on the first support section 42A and on the second support section 44A are shown. It can be seen that in the present embodiment, depending on the terrain gradient and the personal preference of the user, a relatively low support height h0 on the socket 24 (cf. Figure 6 ) and additionally a relatively high support height h2 can be set on the second support section 44A of the climbing aid 40 when the climbing aid 40, as in Figure 9 shown, is pivoted into its active position about the climbing aid pivot axis S. The user can therefore bring the binding body 32 into the second rotational position for climbing with the heel unit 10 and then select between two different support heights h0, h2.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention offers the user the possibility of pivoting the climbing aid 40 from the inactive / second position to the active / first position in order to be able to ascend with the touring binding even in the first rotational position of the binding body 32, i.e., when the heel unit 10 is in the actual downhill position. The first arm section 42 of the one-piece climbing aid 40 can cover the coupling pins 18l, 18r in the active position of the climbing aid 40, so that the heel unit 10, in particular the coupling pins 18l, 18r, can no longer engage with the gliding board shoe to hold it in place, and the first support section 42A of the first arm section 42 supports the heel section of the gliding board shoe at a height h1 above the gliding board plane E. In the present embodiment, the support height h1 can in particular be greater than the support height h0 and smaller than the support height h2.As a result, in the present embodiment, the user can choose between a total of three different support heights h0, h1, h2 above the gliding board plane E for the heel section of their gliding board shoe, wherein a relatively low support height h0 and a relatively high support height h2 can be set in the second rotational position of the binding body 32 and a medium support height h1 between the relatively low support height h0 and the relatively high support height h2 can be set in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 without the binding body 32 having to be rotated for ascent. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the support height h1 is greater than or equal to the second support height h2. This results in many different concrete implementation options for the present invention, which is explicitly not limited to the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[0054] According to the first exemplary embodiment, the one-piece climbing aid 40 consequently has at least a first and a second support section 42A, 44A for supporting the heel section of the gliding board shoe and is configured, in its first / active position, to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe in the first rotational position of the binding body 32 by means of the first support section 42A and in the second rotational position of the binding body 32 by means of the second support section 44A, wherein in the first exemplary embodiment, the first support section 42A and the second support section 44A provide different support heights h1, h2 for the heel section of the gliding board shoe and wherein the climbing aid 40 further comprises a first and a second arm section 42, 44, which extend in different directions,wherein the first support portion 42A is provided on the first arm portion 42, and the second support portion 44A is provided on the second arm portion 44. In particular, in the first embodiment, the first support portion 42A is configured to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe at the first height h1 above the gliding board plane E, and the second support portion 44A is configured to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe at the second height h2 above the gliding board plane E, wherein the first height h1 and the second height h2 differ from one another, wherein, in particular, the second height h2 can be higher above the gliding board plane E than the first height h1.

[0055] However, as already mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to the concrete embodiment according to the first embodiment.

[0056] With reference to the Figures 10 to 17A second embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be discussed in more detail, and reference is made to the description of the first embodiment. All features and functions of the first embodiment not described again here can be applied to the second embodiment in the same or at least in a very similar manner.

[0057] A heel unit 110 of the second embodiment is also adjustable between a downhill position and a walking position, wherein the heel unit 110 is configured to engage a heel portion of a gliding board shoe in the downhill position to hold the gliding board shoe to the touring binding, and to release the heel portion of the gliding board shoe in the walking position so that the heel portion of the gliding board shoe can lift off the heel unit 110.

[0058] The heel unit 110 according to the second embodiment also comprises a base 112 intended for mounting on a gliding board, a binding body 132 which is rotatably mounted on the base 112 about a rotation axis A' orthogonal to a gliding board plane E' and which can be rotated at least between a first rotational position, which is in the Figures 10 to 14 shown, and one in the Figures 15 to 17 illustrated second rotational position, and a climbing aid 140, which is designed to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe at least at a predetermined height above the gliding board plane E'. The climbing aid 140 is adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the climbing aid 140 is pivotally mounted on the binding body 132 about a climbing aid pivot axis S' for adjustment between the first position and the second position. The climbing aid 140 is in the Figures 12, 13 , 14 , 16 and17 shown in the first position and in the Figures 10, 11 and 15 shown in the second position. The climbing aid pivot axis S' can be, in particular, substantially parallel to the gliding board plane E' and, in the first rotational position of the binding body 132, can be arranged at an angle of between approximately 15° and approximately 75°, in particular approximately 45°, to a gliding board longitudinal axis. In the second rotational position, the binding body 132 is rotated relative to the first rotational position by approximately 60° to approximately 120°, in particular approximately 90°, about the rotational axis A' orthogonal to the gliding board plane E'.

[0059] Except for the climbing aid 140, the heel unit 110 of the second embodiment is essentially constructed in the same way as the heel unit 10 of the first embodiment.

[0060] The difference from the heel unit 10 of the first embodiment is that the climbing aid 140 also includes a first and a second support portion 142A, 142B for supporting the heel portion of the gliding board shoe, but not two arm portions, but only one arm portion 142, with the first support portion 142A being provided on one side of the arm portion 142 and the second support portion 142B being provided on the opposite side of the arm portion 142. In other words, the first support portion 142A is arranged on a front side of the arm portion 142, and the second support portion 142B is arranged on a rear side of the arm portion 142.

[0061] As in the first embodiment, the first support section 142A is configured to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe in the first rotational position of the binding body 132 at a predetermined height h11 above the gliding board plane E' in the first position of the climbing aid 140. However, unlike in the first embodiment, the second support section 142B is configured to support the heel section of the gliding board shoe in the second rotational position of the binding body 132 at a predetermined height h12 above the gliding board plane E' in the second position of the climbing aid 140.That is, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the climbing aid is active in the first rotational position of the binding body 132 to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe when it is set in the first position, whereas in the second rotational position of the binding body 132 it is active to support the heel portion of the gliding board shoe when it is set in the second position. Again, the first height h11 and the second height h12 can differ from each other; in particular, in the second embodiment, the first height h11 can be lower than the second height h12.

[0062] In addition to the two support heights h11 and h12, in the second embodiment, a third, relatively low support height h10 can also be set in the second rotational position of the binding body 132, whereby the gliding board shoe is again supported on a socket 124 of the base 12 (cf. Fig. 15 ).

[0063] The climbing aid 140 can also be preloaded into the first and / or second position by an elastic element 150. The elastic element 150 can in turn be a leaf spring 150 that interacts with a guide surface 148 on the climbing aid 140. Both the leaf spring 150 and the guide surface 148 are no different from the leaf spring 50 and guide surface 48 described in the embodiments of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0064] As in the first embodiment, the heel unit 110 for coupling to the gliding board shoe may comprise coupling pins 118l, 118r, which are substantially identical in design and have the same functions as the coupling pins 18l, 18r of the first embodiment.

Claims

1. Heel unit (10) of a touring binding which is adjustable between a downhill position and a walking position, wherein the heel unit (10) is configured, in the downhill position, to be in engagement with a heel portion of a sliding board boot in order to fix the sliding board boot on the touring binding and to release the heel portion of the sliding board boot in the walking position so that the heel portion of the sliding board boot can lift off from the heel unit (10), and wherein the heel unit (10) comprises: • a base (12) which is provided for mounting on a sliding board, • a binding body (32) which is mounted on the base (12) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) orthogonal to a sliding board plane (E) and is adjustable at least between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, and • a climbing aid (40) which is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at least at a predetermined height above the sliding board plane (E) and which is adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the downhill position of the heel unit (10) is realised if the binding body (32) is put into the first rotational position and the climbing aid (40) is put into the second position, wherein the climbing aid (40) is pivotally mounted on the binding body (32) about a climbing aid pivot axis (S) for adjustment between the first position and the second position, wherein the climbing aid (40) is formed in one piece and wherein the climbing aid (40) has at least a first and a second support portion (42A, 44A) for supporting the heel portion of the sliding board boot, wherein the climbing aid (40) is configured, in its first position, to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot in the first rotational position of the binding body (32) by means of the first support portion (42A) and to support it in the second rotational position of the binding body (32) by means of the second support portion (44A), characterised in that the binding body (32) is rotated in the second rotational position relative to the first rotational position by approximately 60° to approximately 120°, in particular approximately 90°, about the rotational axis (A) orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E).

2. Heel unit (10) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first support portion (42A) and the second support portion (44A) provide different support heights (h1, h2) for the heel portion of the sliding board boot.

3. Heel unit (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the climbing aid (40) comprises the first and the second support portion (42A, 44A) for supporting the heel portion of the sliding board boot at a certain height (h1, h2) above the sliding board plane (E) and a first and a second arm portion (42, 44) which extend in different directions, wherein the first support portion (42A) is provided on the first arm portion (42) and the second support portion (44A) is provided on the second arm portion (44).

4. Heel unit (10) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the first support portion (42A) is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at a first height (h1) above the sliding board plane (E), and the second support portion (44A) is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at a second height (h2) above the sliding board plane (E), wherein the first height (h1) and the second height (h2) differ from each other.

5. Heel unit (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the climbing aid pivot axis (S) is substantially parallel to the sliding board plane (E).

6. Heel unit (10) according to Claim 5, characterised in that the climbing aid pivot axis (S) is arranged in the first rotational position of the binding body (32) at an angle of between approximately 15° and approximately 75°, in particular approximately 45°, to a sliding board longitudinal axis (X).

7. Heel unit (110) of a touring binding, which is adjustable between a downhill position and a walking position, wherein the heel unit (110) is configured, in the downhill position, to be in engagement with a heel portion of a sliding board boot in order to fix the sliding board boot on the touring binding and to release the heel portion of the sliding board boot in the walking position so that the heel portion of the sliding board boot can lift off from the heel unit (110), and wherein the heel unit (110) comprises: • a base (112) which is provided for mounting on a sliding board, • a binding body (132) which is mounted on the base (112) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (A') orthogonal to a sliding board plane (E') and is adjustable at least between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, wherein the binding body (132) is rotated in the second rotational position relative to the first rotational position by approximately 60° to approximately 120°, in particular approximately 90°, about the rotational axis (A') orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E'), and • a climbing aid (140) which is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at least at a predetermined height above the sliding board plane (E') and which is adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the downhill position of the heel unit (110) is realised if the binding body (132) is put into the first rotational position and the climbing aid (140) is put into the second position, wherein the climbing aid (140) is pivotally mounted on the binding body (132) about a climbing aid pivot axis (S') for adjustment between the first position and the second position, wherein the climbing aid pivot axis (S') is substantially parallel to the sliding board plane (E') and wherein the climbing aid pivot axis (S') is arranged in the first rotational position of the binding body (132) at an angle of between approximately 15° and approximately 75°, in particular approximately 45°, to a sliding board longitudinal axis, characterised in that the climbing aid (140) is formed in one piece and that the climbing aid (140) comprises at least a first and a second support portion (142A, 142B) for supporting the heel portion of the sliding board boot, wherein the first support portion (142A) is provided on one side of an arm portion (142) of the climbing aid (140) and is configured, in the first position of the climbing aid (140), to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot in the first rotational position of the binding body (132) at a predetermined height (h11) above the sliding board plane (E'), and wherein the second support portion (142B) is provided on the opposite side of the arm portion (142) and is configured, in the second position of the climbing aid (140), to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot in the second rotational position of the binding body (132) at a predetermined height (h12) above the sliding board plane (E').

8. Heel unit (110) according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first support portion (142A) is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at a first height (h11) above the sliding board plane (E'), and the second support portion (142B) is configured to support the heel portion of the sliding board boot at a second height (h12) above the sliding board plane (E'), wherein the first height (h11) and the second height (h12) differ from each other.

9. Heel unit (10; 110) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the climbing aid (40; 140) is pretensioned into the first position and / or into the second position by an elastic element (50; 150).

10. Heel unit (10; 110) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the climbing aid (40; 140) comprises a recess (46; 146) which is configured to come into engagement with a ski pole tip.

11. Heel unit (10; 110) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the climbing aid (40; 140) is manufactured from a metallic material or a plastic material.

12. Heel unit (10; 110) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising • coupling pins (181, 18r; 1181, 118r) which are arranged on the binding body (32; 132) and are configured to come into engagement, in the downhill position of the heel unit (10; 110), with recesses provided in a heel region of the sliding board boot in order to fix the sliding board boot on the touring binding.

13. Touring binding, comprising a heel unit (10; 110) according to at least one of the preceding claims.