Brake assembly for a cross country ski binding

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a braking arrangement for a touring binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The function of a braking system for ski and / or touring bindings is to slow the ski in the event of a release from the boot and binding, for example, during a fall (also known as a release), or other loss of the ski on sloping terrain. This prevents the ski from being lost and also avoids endangering other winter sports enthusiasts with the moving ski. A braking system is therefore an important safety feature of a touring binding. When the binding is coupled to a boot, the boot pushes the pedal downwards against the force of the elastic element, and the brake arm(s) connected to the pedal are raised vertically to a level above the ski surface. This puts the braking system in a gliding or driving position, and the brake arms can no longer engage with the ground.

[0003] Particularly in the case of touring bindings, which are used not only for downhill skiing but also for ascending using climbing skins attached to the ski base, a locking or blocking of the braking mechanism in a gliding or walking position is necessary. In this position, the brake arm(s) are raised to a level vertically above the ski base, even without force being applied to the pedal by a user's shoe. This allows the shoe, especially the heel, to be lifted from the braking mechanism for ascending without the brake arm(s) engaging the ground and braking the ski.

[0004] WO 2009 / 105866 A1 discloses a braking arrangement for a touring binding, which is positioned in front of a heel unit. A hook, pivotable about a horizontal axis parallel to the ski surface, is provided to lock the braking arrangement. This hook can engage a brake pedal to block the braking arrangement in the gliding or walking position. To allow coupling and decoupling between the pedal and the hook, the entire heel unit is designed to be linearly displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ski. In a walking position of the binding body, in which the heel unit is not coupled to a boot, the binding body and the hook do not interact. The hook is pre-tensioned in a substantially upright position and can engage with the pedal to block the braking arrangement.Shifting the binding body forward in the direction of travel into a riding position for coupling with a boot heel causes the hook to pivot backward. After the hook pivots backward due to the forward shift of the heel unit, it can no longer engage with the pedal, the brake mechanism is no longer locked, and the brake arms, which are pre-tensioned in a braking position, can engage to slow the ski in the event of a fall, binding release, or other loss of the ski from contact with the ground.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 20 2013 012328 U1 discloses a braking arrangement for a touring binding according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein a heel holder of the touring binding itself constitutes the actuating element, the pivoting movement of which causes a linear movement of the locking element. In addition, US 2014 / 159343 A1 and EP 2 774 660 A2 each disclose systems similar to those of DE 20 2013 012328 U1.

[0006] Low weight and a relatively simple design are extremely important for ski bindings, especially touring bindings. For example, a simple design is a significant advantage when used in adverse weather conditions and cold temperatures on ice and snow. In WO 2009 / 105866 A1, the heel unit is designed to be longitudinally adjustable between walking and skiing positions. This longitudinal adjustability also enables the locking of the brake mechanism. However, the fact that the entire heel unit is movable results in a relatively complex design with many, sometimes heavy, components, and the overall stability of the assembly can be negatively affected.

[0007] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a brake arrangement for a touring binding with a brake locking function which is particularly simple and has few components and is as lightweight as possible and has high stability.

[0008] According to a first aspect, this problem is solved by a braking arrangement for a touring binding according to claim 1.

[0009] An important feature of the invention is therefore the conversion of a pivoting movement of the actuating element into a linear movement of the locking element. This allows the brake assembly to be locked in the sliding position without having to move or shift an associated touring binding or a heel unit of a touring binding.

[0010] In particular, two brake arms, essentially symmetrical about a ski's longitudinal axis, can be provided. The first elastic element can, for example, be a tension spring coupled to the pedal and the base in such a way that a braking force is transmitted via the pedal to the brake arm(s), forcing the ends of the brake arms downwards in a vertical direction to engage with the ground in the braking position.

[0011] It should be noted that, within the scope of this disclosure, terms such as "above", "below", "front", "back", "sideways", "vertical", "horizontal", "vertical direction", "latitude direction", "longitudinal direction" and the like refer, for the sake of simplicity, to the view of a skier who has entered the front unit of a ski binding, in particular a touring binding, mounted on a ski with a ski boot, wherein the ski is arranged in a horizontal plane.

[0012] Furthermore, it is pointed out that the term "ski" and related terms such as "ski boot", "ski binding", "touring ski binding", "ski plane", "ski longitudinal axis", "ski center axis", "ski width direction", "ski length direction", and the like are not intended to refer only to skis in the narrow sense, but also include splitboards (snowboards divisible lengthwise into at least two parts, the individual parts of which can be used in the manner of normal skis), snowshoes, or similar boards for walking or gliding on snow and ice. All these items or parts thereof are considered skis or parts of skis within the meaning of this invention.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brake assembly can further comprise at least one second elastic element, which is configured to pre-tension the locking element into the active position. Such a second elastic element makes it particularly easy to pre-tension the locking element into the active position. This means that, without any adjustment—especially manual adjustment—the locking element remains in the active position, and thus the brake assembly can be easily locked in the sliding position.

[0014] The second elastic element can preferably provide a spring force to preload the brake assembly into the braking position. Thus, the spring action of the first elastic element can be supported by the second elastic element.

[0015] In particular, the second elastic element can be a tension spring coupled to the pedal and the locking element. It is understood that other springs coupled to the locking element, such as compression springs, torsion springs, etc., can also be used for preloading.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pedal can be pivotably mounted on the base, in particular wherein a pivot axis of the pedal is guided longitudinally displaceably in an elongated hole provided in the base. This allows the brake assembly to be easily locked by a longitudinal displacement of the locking element.

[0017] Furthermore, the locking element can include a hook designed to engage the pedal in the active position of the locking element, thus blocking pedal movement and locking the brake assembly in the sliding position. A hook on the locking element can engage the pedal particularly easily in the active position of the locking element and block pedal movement, thus locking the brake assembly in the sliding position.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the locking element and the actuating element can be configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element from the release position to the locking position moves the locking element into the active position. In particular, this can occur in the longitudinal direction towards the rear of the ski.

[0019] Furthermore, the locking element and the actuating element can be configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element from the locking position to the release position moves the locking element into the passive position. In particular, this can occur forwards in the longitudinal direction of the ski. While, as mentioned above, in this position of the actuating element the locking element may already be in the active position due to a spring force from a possibly present second elastic element, for example, due to icing of the mechanism or similar, the spring force of the second elastic element may not be sufficient to move the locking element into the passive and / or active position. Therefore, it is advantageous if the locking element is moved into the passive position by an adjustment movement of the actuating element from the locking position to the release position.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating element can have a first contour which is configured to hold the locking element in the passive position when the actuating element is in the release position. Such a contour can, in particular, be in the form of a projection which can hold a corresponding projection or the like of the locking element in such a way that the locking element remains in the release position.

[0021] Furthermore, the actuating element can have a second contour designed to hold the locking element in the active position when the actuating element is in the locked position. Such a contour can, in particular, be in the form of a projection that can hold a corresponding projection or the like of the locking element in such a way that the locking element remains in the locked position.

[0022] According to the invention, the actuating element is an actuating lever pivotably mounted at its base, comprising at least one lever arm pivotably mounted at its base and an actuating section. In particular, the actuating lever can comprise two lever arms, with the actuating section connecting both arms. Such a lever is particularly easy to operate.

[0023] The first contour can be formed on an insert element that is inserted into a recess on the lever arm, particularly on a first lever arm. Such an insert element can be made of a metallic material, such as sheet metal or the like, so that friction and the associated material wear do not act directly on the lever, which is usually made of plastic, but on an additional part that is made of a different, more wear-resistant material and / or is replaceable.

[0024] Furthermore, the second contour can be formed on an insert element that is inserted into a recess on the lever arm, particularly on a second lever arm. Such an insert element can, in particular, be made of a metallic material, such as sheet metal or the like, whereby friction and the associated material wear do not directly affect the lever, which is usually made of plastic, but rather an additional part made of a different, more wear-resistant material and / or which is replaceable.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the aforementioned problem of the present invention is solved by a heel unit for a touring binding, comprising a braking arrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention. The braking arrangement can, for example, be arranged directly in front of the heel unit in the direction of travel, and the pedal of the braking arrangement can be held in the gliding or skiing position in a particularly simple manner by the heel of the boot. Alternatively, an arrangement of the braking arrangement more generally between the heel unit and a toe unit, or even an arrangement of the braking arrangement in front of a toe unit, is conceivable.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the heel unit and the actuating element can be configured such that, in the release position of the actuating element, coupling of a shoe, in particular a heel section of a ski boot, with the heel unit is possible, and in the locking position of the actuating element, coupling of a shoe, in particular a heel section of a ski boot, with the heel unit is not possible. This can be achieved, in particular, by ensuring that the contact height on / above the pedal of the heel section of the ski boot is high enough in the locking position to prevent the heel section of the ski boot from engaging with the heel unit, thus preventing incorrect operation in the locking position.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. Specifically, the drawings show: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a braking position; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the braking position; Figure 3 is another perspective view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the braking position; Figure 4 is a detailed view of the brake arrangement. Figure 3Figure 5 is a sectional view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a transition position between the braking position and a sliding position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the sliding position; Figure 7 is a sectional view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the sliding position; Figure 8 is another perspective view of the brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the sliding position; and Figure 9 is a detailed view of the brake arrangement. Figure 8 .

[0028] In the Figures 1 to 9A brake arrangement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The brake arrangement 10, which is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position, is described in the Figures 1 to 4 shown in the braking position, in Figure 5 shown in a transitional position between the braking position and the sliding position and in the Figures 6 to 9 shown in the sliding position.

[0029] The brake assembly 10 comprises a base 20 with a mounting arrangement 22 for attachment to a ski (not shown) and / or a touring binding (not shown), in particular a heel unit of a touring binding, a pedal 30, at least one brake arm 40 mounted on the base 20 and on the pedal 30, in the present embodiment two brake arms 40 arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ski, and at least one elastic element 50, which is configured to move the brake assembly 10 into the Figures 1 to 4 Pre-tension the brake in the indicated position.

[0030] In the braking position, the brake arms 40 project horizontally across the width of the ski on the left and right sides, and end sections of the brake arms 40 extend vertically downwards past the ski to engage with the surface, in particular snow or ice. If only one brake arm 40 is provided, it projects either on the left or on the right side of the ski. Further details are provided below. Figures 6 to 9In the described sliding position, the brake arms 40 are raised vertically to a level above the ski surface, so that the brake arms 40, especially exposed ends of the brake arms 40, can no longer engage with the surface. The first elastic element 50 can, for example, be a tension spring 50, which is coupled to the pedal 30 and the base 20 in such a way that a braking force is transmitted via the pedal to the brake arm 40 or brake arms 40, which forces the ends of the brake arms 40 downwards in a vertical direction to engage with the surface in the braking position.

[0031] The brake assembly 10 also includes a locking element 60, which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position and is configured to lock the brake assembly 10 in the sliding position in the active position. The locking element 60 is linearly displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the ski for adjustment between the active and passive positions. Furthermore, the brake assembly 10 includes an actuating element 80, which is adjustable between a locking position and a release position. The actuating element 10 is pivotably mounted on the brake assembly 10, in this embodiment at the base 20, about a pivot axis 82. When the actuating element 80 is in the locking position, the locking element 60 is in the active position.When the actuating element 80 is in the release position, the locking element 60 is in the passive position. The locking element 60 and the actuating element 80 are configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element 80 about the pivot axis 82 causes a linear movement of the locking element 60 in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Thus, a pivoting movement of the actuating element 80 is converted into a linear movement of the locking element 60, which allows the brake assembly 10 to be locked in the sliding position.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the base 20 can be attached or mounted to the ski by placing a downward-facing contact surface of the base 20 onto an upward-facing surface of the ski and securing the base 20 to the ski using screws that are inserted through pre-drilled holes 22 in the base 20 and screwed into the ski surface. Alternatively, the base 20 can be attached to the ski in another way. As mentioned previously, it is also possible for the base 20 to be attached to a touring binding (not shown), for example, by screws, a plug connection, another positive-locking connection, bolts, adhesive bonding, or in another manner. Attachment to both the ski and a touring binding is also possible.The base 20 can be made from a metallic material, for example a sheet of steel or aluminum, or from a plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA) or another cold-resistant plastic.

[0033] The pedal 30 has a footplate 32 on its side facing away from the ski, designed for a shoe (not shown), in particular for the heel section of a ski boot. When a user steps onto the footplate 32 of the pedal 30 to connect their shoe to a touring binding, in particular a heel unit of a touring binding, the brake assembly 10 is moved from the braking position to the sliding position against the spring force of the elastic element 50. In this state, the sliding position is also referred to as the driving position. The sliding or driving position is in the Figures 6 to 9The pedal 30 can be made, in particular, of a plastic material such as polyoxymethylene (POM), glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA), or another cold-resistant plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the pedal 30 can be pivotably mounted on the base 20 and comprise a pivot axis 36, which can project laterally from the pedal 30 and can be guided longitudinally displaceably in an elongated hole 26 provided in the base 20.

[0034] The brake arm(s) 40 can be mounted at a central section on a receptacle 24 formed at the base 20 and at a front section on a receptacle formed at the pedal 30. The brake arm(s) 40 can be made of a metallic material, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, or various alloys.

[0035] In the present embodiment, two tension springs 50 can be provided. Each spring 50 can be provided with a rear curved end on a rear spring leg and a front curved end on a front spring leg, with spring coils located between them. The rear curved end of the tension springs 50 can be attached to the base 20, and the front curved end of the tension springs 50 can be attached to the pedal 30. Thus, the elastic element 50, or the tension spring(s) 50, acts between the base 20 and—via the pedal 30—the brake arm 40, pre-tensioning the brake assembly 10 into the braking position.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the brake assembly 10 can further comprise at least one second elastic element 70, which is configured to bias the locking element 60 into the active position. In the present embodiment, the second elastic element 70 can provide a spring force for biasing the brake assembly 10 into the braking position, thereby supporting the spring action of the first elastic element 50. In particular, the second elastic element 70 can be a tension spring 70, which is coupled to the pedal 30 and the locking element 60. The tension spring 70 can, for example, be a Figure 2As can be seen, the spring 70 is attached at one end to the pedal 30. In particular, the pedal 30 may have a pivot axis 36 to which one end of the spring 70 can be hooked. At the opposite end, the tension spring 70 can be attached to the locking element. In particular, the locking element 60 may have a tab 64 to which the opposite end of the spring can be hooked. Thus, the tension spring 70 acts between the pedal 30 and the locking element 60, pre-tensioning the locking element 60 into the active position and simultaneously providing a spring force for pre-tensioning the brake assembly 10 into the braking position.

[0037] The locking element 60 can include a hook 62 which is configured to engage the pedal 30 in the active position of the locking element 60 in order to block movement of the pedal 30 such that the brake assembly 10 is locked in the sliding position. For example, in Figure 2 As can be seen, in the preferred embodiment a pin 34 can be formed on the pedal 30. This pin can engage with the hook 62 of the locking element 60. As can be seen, the hook 62 and the pin 34 are in the Figures 1 to 4 Brake position shown is out of engagement.

[0038] Figure 5Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the brake assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in the transition position between the braking position and a sliding position. When a user steps onto the footplate 32 of the pedal 30 to couple their boot with a touring binding and to move the brake assembly 10 from the braking position to the sliding position, the pin 34 encounters an inclined surface of the hook 62. The pedal 30 can move forward along the elongated slots 26 against the spring force of the spring 70 in the longitudinal direction of the ski, while the locking element 60 can also move backward against the spring force of the spring 70 in the longitudinal direction of the ski. This allows the pin 34 to, for example, Figure 7 shown, engage in a recess of the hook 62 and the brake assembly 10 is placed in the sliding position, which in the Figures 6 to 9 shown.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment, the locking element 60 and the actuating element 80 can be configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element 80 from the release position to the locking position moves the locking element 60 into the active position. In particular, this can occur in the longitudinal direction of the ski to the rear. Furthermore, the locking element 60 and the actuating element 80 can be configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element 80 from the locking position to the release position moves the locking element 60 into the passive position. In particular, this can occur in the longitudinal direction of the ski to the front.

[0040] In this position of the actuating element 80, the locking element 60 is already in the active position by the spring force of the second elastic element 70. However, if the spring force of the second elastic element 70 is not sufficient to move the locking element into the passive and / or active position, it is advantageous if the locking element 60 is moved from the locking position to the release position to the passive position and vice versa by an adjusting movement of the actuating element 80.

[0041] For this purpose, the actuating element 80 can have a first contour which is configured to hold the locking element 60 in the passive position when the actuating element 80 is in the release position. In the present embodiment, such a contour can be in particular in the form of a projection 90a which can hold a corresponding projection 66 or the like of the locking element 60 such that the locking element 60 remains in the release position. Furthermore, the actuating element can have a second contour which is configured to hold the locking element 60 in the active position when the actuating element 80 is in the locking position. Such a contour can again be in particular in the form of a projection 90b which can hold a corresponding projection 68 or the like of the locking element 60 such that the locking element 60 remains in the locking position.The actuating element 80 can be an actuating lever 80 pivotably mounted on the base 20, which comprises at least one lever arm 84a, 84b pivotally mounted on the base 20 and an actuating section 86. In particular, the actuating lever 80 can comprise two lever arms 84a, 84b, wherein the actuating section 86 connects both arms 84a, 84b. For example, lateral wing-like sections can be provided on the actuating section 86 to facilitate its operation.

[0042] The first contour can be formed on an insert element 90a, which is inserted into a recess on the lever arm 84a, in particular on a first lever arm 84a. Furthermore, the second contour can be formed on an insert element 90b, which is inserted into a recess on the lever arm 84b, in particular on a second lever arm 84b.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the projections 90a and 90b can each be formed on an arm 84a and 84b, respectively, of the actuating element 80, which is designed as a lever 80 and is mounted on the pivot axis 82. In particular, slot-like recesses can be provided at the ends of the lever arms 84a and 84b, into which sheet metal inserts 90a and 90b are inserted. These inserts, in turn, can have the first and second contours in the form of projections for holding the locking element 60 in the passive and active positions. The counter-formed projections 66 and 68 formed on the locking element 60 can, for example, be provided by designing the locking element 60 as a sheet metal bending part and bending it at corresponding locations such that projections 66 and 68 are formed which can interact with the projections 90a and 90b on the lever arms 84a and 84b.

[0044] In this way, the first projection 90a formed on the first lever arm 84a, in particular in the form of a sheet metal insert, can interact with the projection 66 formed on the locking element 60 such that, in the release position of the actuating lever 80, the locking element 60 is held in the passive position. Conversely, the second projection 90b formed on the second lever arm 84b, in particular also in the form of a sheet metal insert, can interact with the projection 68 formed on the locking element 60 such that, in the locked position of the actuating lever 80, the locking element 60 is held in the active position.

Claims

1. Brake arrangement (10) for a touring binding, wherein the brake arrangement (10) is adjustable between a braking position and a sliding position, comprising a base (20) with a fastening arrangement (22) for attachment to a ski and / or to the touring binding, a pedal (30), which has on its side facing away from the ski a tread surface (32) for a boot, in particular for a heel section of a ski boot, at least one brake arm (40) which is mounted on the base (20) and on the pedal (30), at least one first elastic element (50) which is designed to pre-tension the brake arrangement (10) into the braking position, and a locking element (60) which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, and when in the active position is designed to lock the brake arrangement (10) in the sliding position, wherein the locking element (60) is linearly displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the ski for adjustment between the active position and the passive position, wherein the brake arrangement (10) furthermore comprises an actuating element (80) which is adjustable between a locking position and a release position, wherein the actuating element (80) is pivotably mounted on the brake arrangement (10), in particular on the base (20), about a pivot axis (82), and wherein, when the actuating element (80) is set in the locking position, the locking element (60) is in the active position, and when the actuating element (80) is set in the release position, the locking element (60) is in the passive position, wherein the locking element (60) and the actuating element (80) are configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element (80) about the pivot axis (82) produces a linear movement of the locking element (60) in the longitudinal direction of the ski, characterised in that the actuating element (80) is an actuating lever (80) pivotably mounted on the base (20), which comprises at least one pivotable lever arm (84a, 84b, in particular two lever arms (84a, 84b), pivotally mounted on the base (20), and an actuating section (86).

2. Brake arrangement (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second elastic element (70) which is designed to pre-tension the locking element (60) into the active position.

3. Brake arrangement (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the second elastic element (70) provides a spring force for pre-tensioning the brake arrangement (10) into the braking position.

4. Brake arrangement (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the second elastic element (70) is a tension spring (70), which is coupled to the pedal (30) and to the locking element (60).

5. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pedal (30) is pivotably mounted on the base (20), in particular wherein a pivot axis (36) of the pedal (30) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in an elongated hole (26) provided on the base (20).

6. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking element (60) comprises a hook (62) which is designed to engage the pedal (30) in the active position of the locking element (60) in order to block a movement of the pedal (30) in such a way that the brake arrangement (10) is locked in the sliding position.

7. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking element (60) and the actuating element (80) are configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element (80) from the release position to the locking position moves the locking element (60) into the active position.

8. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking element (60) and the actuating element (80) are configured such that a pivoting movement of the actuating element (80) from the locking position to the release position moves the locking element (60) into the passive position.

9. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating element (80) has a first contour which is designed to hold the locking element (60) in the passive position when the actuating element (80) is in the release position.

10. Brake arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating element (80) has a second contour which is designed to hold the locking element (60) in the active position when the actuating element (80) is in the locking position.

11. Brake arrangement (10) according to claim 1 and claim 9, characterised in that the first contour is formed on an insert element (90a) which is inserted into a recess on the lever arm (84a, 84b), in particular on a first lever arm (84a).

12. Brake arrangement (10) according to claim 1 and claim 10, characterised in that the second contour is formed on an insert element (90b) which is inserted into a recess on the lever arm (84a, 84b), in particular on a second lever arm (84b).

13. Heel unit for a touring binding, comprising a brake arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Heel unit according to claim 13, characterised in that the heel unit and the actuating element (80) are configured such that, in the release position of the actuating element (80), a coupling of a boot, in particular a heel section of a ski boot, with the heel unit is possible, and in the locking position of the actuating element (80), a coupling of a boot, in particular a heel section of a ski boot, with the heel unit is not possible.

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