Skibinding with a housing screwed in horizontal direction

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding board binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A sliding board binding of this type is known, for example, as the heel unit of a touring binding from DE 10 2013 224 571 A1. The conventional heel unit comprises a housing with a lower housing part and an upper housing part designed as a cover. A release mechanism is housed in the cavity between the two housing parts. This mechanism releases the engagement between the heel unit and the boot when a force greater than a predetermined release force is exerted on the heel unit via the boot. The upper housing part is connected to the lower housing part by four screws, each with mounting directions perpendicular to a sliding board plane.

[0003] In practical use of the well-known heel unit, it has been observed that after prolonged use, the screws connecting the two housing parts can sometimes loosen, requiring regular tightening or, in some cases, thread wear necessitating replacement of the housing. Such wear has been particularly noticeable when the heel unit is frequently used in a touring mode where two climbing aids on the upper housing part can be engaged to provide increased lower support for the heel of the shoe, upon which the shoe rests with each step. This results in a certain impact load being transmitted with each step via one of the climbing aids to the upper housing part, thus stressing the screw connection between the two housing parts.

[0004] Another significant stress on the screws connecting the housing parts occurs during a frontal release, also known as a My-release, in which a so-called FAV force acts upwards in a direction perpendicular to the sliding board plane. In this scenario, the heel section of the shoe, for example during a user's forward fall, presses from below against the coupling pins of the heel unit to separate them, and a force directed upwards from the sliding board plane acts on the upper housing part via these coupling pins. This places considerable stress on the screw connection, as one direction of the acting force corresponds approximately to the mounting direction of the screw connection, i.e., the direction of one screw axis. Such an axial load is detrimental to screw connections.

[0005] In other heel units, such as heel units for downhill bindings, the connection between two housing parts of a housing can also be subjected to repeated, stronger loads during use.

[0006] EP 2 345 463 A1 discloses a heel unit for holding a boot on a ski board, wherein the heel unit has a binding body which is configured for engagement with the boot. The binding body comprises a housing which is closed by a rear plate screwed to the housing in a horizontal direction. A functional mechanism of the ski board binding is housed in the housing.

[0007] EP 3 053 632 A1 discloses a heel unit for holding a shoe on a sliding board, wherein the heel unit has a binding body to which a front reinforcement plate is screwed in a horizontal direction.

[0008] WO 2007 / 010392 A2 discloses a front unit of a sliding board binding which is pre-tensioned into an engagement position by spring means incorporated in sliding pieces, wherein the sliding pieces are displaceable in a longitudinal direction.

[0009] EP 2 666 525 A1 discloses a sliding board binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding board binding which can reduce wear in the area of ​​a connection between two housing parts of the housing and can better absorb shock, release and / or other loads, while still being as cost-effective to manufacture as possible.

[0011] The problem underlying the present invention is solved by a sliding board binding according to claim 1.

[0012] According to an important feature of the present invention, the two housing parts are connected to each other by at least one first screw or pin connection with a horizontal mounting direction. The binding body of the sliding board binding is thus able to permanently absorb even larger forces, in particular frontal release forces during a so-called μ-release (torque about a subsequently defined Y-axis) in the vertical direction, and to transfer these forces more effectively into the housing parts. The connection arrangement thus created enables a structurally simple, detachable if necessary, and permanently wear-resistant connection between the two housing parts, even after prolonged intensive use.

[0013] In other words, frontal release forces (FAV forces) occurring during a my-release, acting in a direction essentially perpendicular to the sliding board plane, can be advantageously absorbed or transferred into the housing parts via the first screw or pin connection if this connection has a mounting direction that runs essentially parallel to the sliding board plane. This further improves the resistance of the sliding board connection.

[0014] The assembly direction corresponds to the axial direction of a screw or pin axis. The screw or pin connection can include screws and / or pins or bolts, such as dowel pins, in particular knurled bolts.

[0015] It should be noted that, within the scope of this disclosure, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", "height direction", "transverse direction", "width direction", "longitudinal direction" and the like are used for the sake of simplicity to refer to the view of a user who has entered the skidboard binding mounted on a skidboard with a shoe, the skidboard being arranged in a horizontal plane.

[0016] Furthermore, it is pointed out that the term "gliding board" refers to any gliding boards, such as skis, touring skis, snowboards, splitboards (snowboards that can be divided 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 to be gliding boards or parts of gliding boards within the meaning of this invention.

[0017] According to the invention, the connection arrangement further comprises at least a second screw or pin connection, wherein the mounting direction of the second screw or pin connection differs, preferably by approximately 90 degrees, from the mounting direction of the first screw or pin connection. That is, the two housing parts are connected to each other by at least two screw or pin connections with different mounting directions. The binding body of the sliding board binding is thereby able to permanently absorb forces acting in different directions, such as lateral release forces (Mz release) via the second screw or pin connection and frontal release forces (My release) via the first screw or pin connection, and to transmit them more effectively into the housing parts.

[0018] The first section of the upper housing part can have at least one attachment point for the second screw or pin connection. To accommodate forces acting in different directions, in addition to the at least one attachment point on the second section of the upper housing part extending parallel to the plane of the sliding board, an additional attachment point can be provided on another section of the upper housing part extending in a different direction. The stability of the arrangement can thus be further improved. The upper housing part can, in particular, be a sheet metal part, preferably a bent sheet metal part.

[0019] Preferably, the mounting direction of the second screw or pin connection can be substantially perpendicular to a sliding board plane. With such an arrangement, lateral release forces and / or impacts from a lateral direction, which occur particularly during a triggering mechanism and act in a direction substantially parallel to the sliding board plane, can be advantageously absorbed or introduced into the housing parts via the second screw or pin connection, provided that this connection has a mounting direction that is substantially perpendicular to a sliding board plane.

[0020] In particular, the first screw or pin connection can have two screws or pins whose axes are essentially parallel to each other. Screws are easy to install and remove, and are also inexpensive. By using two screws with parallel screw axes, the strength of the connection between the housing parts can be improved, especially in the direction perpendicular to the screw axes.

[0021] The second screw or pin connection can also consist of two screws or pins whose axes run essentially parallel to each other. Screws are easy to install and remove, and are also inexpensive. Using two screws with parallel axes can improve the strength of the connection between the housing parts, particularly in the direction perpendicular to the screw axes.

[0022] Furthermore, it is considered particularly advantageous if the first screw or pin connection is a screw connection and has at least one screw which passes through an opening in one of the two housing parts and is screwed into an opening in the other of the two housing parts. Such a screw connection is structurally simple and cost-effective to implement and can be loosened with a tool if necessary, for example, for repair or maintenance of the functional mechanism housed in the casing.

[0023] Furthermore, the second screw or pin connection can preferably also be a screw connection and have at least one screw which passes through an opening in one of the two housing parts and is screwed into an opening in the other of the two housing parts. As in the case where the first screw or pin connection is a screw connection, a screw connection for the second screw or pin connection is also structurally simple and cost-effective to implement and can be loosened with a tool if necessary.

[0024] Preferably, the second section of the upper housing part can comprise two arms extending downwards from the first section of the upper housing part, particularly at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the first section of the upper housing part, towards a sliding plane. The first screw or pin connection comprises two screws or pins, and a fixing point for a screw or pin is provided at the distal ends of each of the two arms of the second section of the upper housing part. If the second section of the upper housing part comprises two arms, other components can be arranged, for example, between the arms, thus saving space. Furthermore, two arms can create two spaced-apart fixing points, thereby increasing the stability of the arrangement in a weight-saving manner.

[0025] It has proven particularly advantageous if one of the two housing parts is made of a metal material and / or the other of the two housing parts is made of a plastic material. A combination of a metal and a plastic material offers the benefits of weight and cost savings (plastic) on the one hand and stability (metal) on the other. It is envisioned that one housing part, particularly the lower housing part, is made of a plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF), and the other housing part, particularly the upper housing part, is made of steel, aluminum, titanium, or alloys thereof. Sheet metal is particularly relevant in this context.

[0026] The functional mechanism housed within the casing of the ski binding can, in principle, be any mechanism of the ski binding that allows the ski binding to be adjusted to different operating states or otherwise ensures its intended function. For example, the casing can contain a release mechanism that moves the binding body into a position to release the binding from the boot when a force is applied to the binding body that exceeds a predetermined release force. Such a release mechanism can be part of a safety system that releases the boot in the event of a fall, thus preventing uncontrolled twisting or tilting of the ski binding from leading to dangerous overloading or even injury to the user.Alternatively or additionally, the functional mechanism can also be a mechanism for adjusting the sliding board binding between different functional modes.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the present device, the binding body can also comprise a housing cover which is attached to the upper housing part, wherein the housing cover has at least one positive-locking connection. In this case, the upper housing part can be arranged between the lower housing part and the housing cover and act as a reinforcing element. In particular, the upper housing part can be configured as a reinforcing plate. This further improves the stability of the arrangement. Forces and / or impacts occurring during the use of the sliding board binding, which would otherwise stress the screw or pin connections along their force directions, can also be largely transferred into the positive-locking connection, thus preventing excessive stress and therefore premature wear of the screw or pin connections.

[0028] The positive-locking connection can include at least one projection provided on the housing cover, which engages with at least one recess provided on the first and / or second housing part. With a projection and recess of this type, the positive-locking connection can be achieved with simple design features and minimal component effort.

[0029] In particular, the sliding board binding can be configured as a heel unit for a touring binding and be adjustable between a touring position, in which the heel unit releases the boot, and a downhill position, in which the heel unit holds the boot. One or two climbing aids can be provided on one of the two housing parts, so that a force is exerted on the housing part with each step when the boot makes contact with one of the climbing aids. The wear-reducing connection arrangement of the present invention can then be used particularly effectively to reliably absorb repeated impact loads. Due to the greater height of the climbing aid and the corresponding leverage effect when pressure or impact loads are applied to the climbing aid, special demands are placed on the connection between the two housing parts, so that the advantages of the invention can be utilized particularly effectively here.

[0030] Furthermore, the binding body can have two coupling pins spaced essentially parallel to each other, which, at least in one downhill position of the ski binding, project from the binding body in one direction essentially parallel to a ski board longitudinal axis and are designed to engage with the heel section of a boot. If a second section of an upper housing part comprises two arms extending downwards from a first section of the upper housing part towards a ski board plane, the coupling pins can be arranged between the two arms of the upper housing part. A heel unit with coupling pins designed in this way is compatible with a wide variety of suitable touring boots and offers secure engagement with the boot as well as reliable release behavior.

[0031] As previously explained, the present invention provides a connection arrangement between two housing parts of a sliding board binding, which exhibits increased strength and reduced wear. As a result, the present invention also allows the use of lighter and inherently less stress-resistant materials while maintaining acceptable properties with regard to stability and wear resistance.

[0032] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. Specifically, the drawings show: Figure 1a is a perspective view of a sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1b is a perspective view of an upper housing part of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2a is a front view of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2b is a front view of the upper housing part of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3a is a side view of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3b is a side view of the upper housing part of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4a is a top view of the sliding board binding according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Figure 4 shows a top view of the upper housing part of the sliding board binding according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As an example of a sliding board binding according to the present invention, the following is shown in the Figure 1a , 2a , 3a and 4aA heel unit of a touring binding is shown, designed to engage and hold the heel section of a touring boot (not shown) via two coupling pins 12. The heel unit 10 is mounted on a base (not shown), for example, using screws, to a ski glide board, such as a touring ski. A binding body 20 is supported on the base, to which the coupling pins 12 are attached, holding the boot in a downhill position. A first climbing aid 14 and a second climbing aid 16 can also be arranged on the binding body 20, which can support the boot from below at two different heights above the ski glide board when the heel unit 10 is in the touring position. The climbing aids 14 and 16 can, in particular, be pivotably mounted on the binding body 20 about a common axis and be adjustable between active and passive positions by simply pivoting them about this axis.

[0034] A sliding board plane runs along a surface of the sliding board, and a sliding board longitudinal axis runs in the direction of travel of the sliding board. Thus, a next to Figure 1a The sketched coordinate system of the heel unit 10 is defined, in which an X-direction runs in the direction of the sliding board longitudinal axis, a Z-direction runs orthogonally upwards to the sliding board plane, and a Y-direction runs orthogonally to the Z-direction and to the X-direction.

[0035] The binding body 20 comprises a housing 24, which is composed of an upper housing part 26 and a lower housing part 28. The two housing parts 26, 28 accommodate a release mechanism 30 between them, which releases the engagement between the heel unit 10 and the boot when a force exceeding a predetermined release force is exerted on the heel unit 10, in particular by twisting or tilting of the boot during a fall. The release mechanism can be a μ-release mechanism (torque about the Y-axis) which includes a spring assembly that holds the coupling pins 12 in engagement with the boot. However, this engagement can be overcome by the application of a force exceeding the predetermined FAV release force, thereby spreading the coupling pins 12 apart and releasing the boot upwards, i.e., in a direction of a distance from the glide board.The upper housing part 26 can be made of a metal material and, in the present embodiment, can in particular be a bent sheet metal part. The lower housing part 28 can be made of a plastic material.

[0036] Furthermore, a vertical pivot bearing can be provided on which the binding body 20 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation perpendicular to the sliding board plane. Such a rotation of the binding body 20 can, on the one hand, serve as an Mz release mechanism (torque about the Z-axis) to release the boot from the heel unit 10 in the event of a fall, when a force exceeding a predetermined Mz release force is transmitted from the boot to the coupling pins 12 in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis L of the sliding board (Y-direction). After overcoming the force of an Mz release spring, the binding body 20 can then rotate sideways about the vertical axis of rotation, thus releasing the coupling pins 12 from the boot.

[0037] On the other hand, the rotation of the binding body 20 about the vertical axis of rotation can be used for manual adjustment of the heel unit 10, between a downhill position, in which the coupling pins 12 point forward and can hold a boot in engagement, and a touring position, in which the coupling pins 12 do not point forward but release the heel section of the boot so that it can lift upwards with each step for walking. In such a touring position, the boot is generally pivotably mounted on a toe unit (not shown) about a pivot axis extending in the Y direction.

[0038] Both the My and Mz release mechanisms can be adjusted by compressing the respective My or Mz release springs to a greater or lesser degree, in order to adapt to different user weights and sole lengths.

[0039] The two housing parts 26, 28 are connected to each other by at least one connection arrangement 40, 42; 44, 46, which comprises at least one first screw or pin connection 44, 46. A mounting direction X of the first screw or pin connection 44, 46 runs essentially parallel to the plane of the sliding board, as shown in the Figures 3b and 4b This can be seen. As a result, FAV forces occurring during a My triggering event can be absorbed particularly advantageously by the first screw or pin connection 44, 46.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first screw or pin connection 44, 46 is a screw connection 44, 46 and has at least one screw 46 which is passed through an opening 44 of one 26 of the two housing parts 26, 28 and is screwed into an opening 28 of the other housing part 28. Furthermore, the first screw or pin connection 44, 46 has two screws 46 or pins whose axes are substantially parallel to each other.

[0041] The upper housing part 26 is in the Figures 1b , 2b , 3b and 4b shown and in the present embodiment is designed as a sheet metal bent part.

[0042] The connection arrangement 40, 42; 44, 46 can further comprise at least a second screw or pin connection 40, 42, the mounting direction Z of which is preferably approximately 90 degrees different from the mounting direction X of the first screw or pin connection 44, 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting direction Z of the second screw or pin connection 40, 42 is substantially perpendicular to a sliding board plane, as shown in Figure 3b This can be seen. In the exemplary embodiment, the second screw or pin connection 40, 42 is a screw connection 40, 42 and has at least one screw 42 which is passed through an opening 40 of the upper housing part 26 and is screwed into an opening of the lower housing part 28. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the second screw or pin connection 40, 42 has two screws 42 or pins whose axes run substantially parallel to each other.

[0043] As especially in the Figures 1b and 3b As can be seen, the upper housing part 26 comprises a first section 50, which extends substantially parallel to a sliding board plane, and a second section 52, which extends substantially perpendicular to the sliding board plane. At least one fastening point in the form of a through hole 44 for the first screw or pin connection 44, 46 is provided on the second section 52 of the upper housing part 26. Furthermore, at least one fastening point in the form of a through hole 40 for the second screw or pin connection 40, 42 may be provided on the first section 50 of the upper housing part 26.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second section 52 of the upper housing part 26 comprises two arms 54 which extend perpendicularly downwards from the first section 50 in the direction of the sliding board plane. The first screw or pin connection 44, 46 can have two screws 46 or pins, with a fastening point 44 for a screw 46 or a pin being provided at the distal ends of each of the two arms 54 of the second section 52 of the upper housing part 26.

[0045] As in the Figure 1a and 2a As can be seen, the coupling pins 12 can be arranged in the Y direction between the two arms 54 of the upper housing part 26.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment, the binding body 20 can further comprise a housing cover 60, which can be attached to the binding body 20, in particular the upper housing part 26, for example by means of the second screw or pin connection 40, 42. However, another connection, such as a plug connection, is also possible. The housing cover 60 can have at least one positive-locking connection 62, 64. The positive-locking connection can include a projection 62 which engages in a recess 64 that fits into one of the two housing parts 26, 28, in particular the upper housing part 26. In the specific embodiment, a projection 62 is provided on both sides of the housing cover 60 in the Y direction.In a starting position of the heel unit 10, these protrude downwards from the housing cover 60 in the Z direction and can thus absorb loads, such as impacts in the Y direction or forces acting in the Y direction during an Mz release, in a structurally advantageous manner.

Claims

1. A sliding board binding (10) for holding a shoe on a sliding board, wherein the sliding board binding (10) has a binding body (20) which is configured for engagement with the shoe, wherein the binding body (20) has a housing (24) with at least two housing parts connected to one another (26, 28), which are configured to accommodate a functional mechanism (30) of the sliding board binding between them, wherein the two housing parts (26, 28) are connected to each other by at least one connection arrangement (40, 42; 44, 46) which comprises at least one first screw or pin connection (44, 46), and wherein one (26) of the two housing parts (26, 28) is an upper housing part (26) and the other (28) of the two housing parts (28, 26) is a lower housing part (28), wherein the upper housing part (26) has a first section (50) which extends substantially parallel to a sliding board plane, and a second section (52) which extends substantially perpendicular to the sliding board plane, wherein at least one fastening point (44) for the first screw or pin connection (44, 46) is provided on the second section (52) of the upper housing part (26), and wherein a mounting direction (X) of the first screw or pin connection (44, 46) is substantially parallel to the sliding board plane, characterised in that the connection arrangement (40, 42; 44, 46) further comprises at least a second screw or pin connection (40, 42), wherein a mounting direction (Z) of the second screw or pin connection (40, 42) differs, preferably by approximately 90 degrees, from the mounting direction (X) of the first screw or pin connection (44, 46).

2. Sliding board binding (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one fastening point (40) for the second screw or pin connection (40, 42) is provided on the first section (50) of the upper housing part (26).

3. Sliding board binding (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mounting direction (Z) of the second screw or pin connection (40, 42) is substantially perpendicular to a sliding board plane.

4. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first screw or pin connection (44, 46) comprises two screws (46) or pins whose axes are substantially parallel to each other.

5. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the second screw or pin connection (40, 42) comprises two screws (42) or pins whose axes are substantially parallel to each other.

6. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first screw or pin connection (44, 46) is a screw connection (44, 46) and has at least one screw (46) which passes through an opening (44) of one (26) of the two housing parts (26, 28) and is screwed into an opening (28) of the other of the two housing parts (28, 26).

7. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the second screw or pin connection (40, 42) is a screw connection (40, 42) and has at least one screw (42) which passes through an opening (40) of one (26) of the two housing parts (26, 28) and is screwed into an opening (28) of the other of the two housing parts (28, 26).

8. A sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second section (52) of the upper housing part (26) comprises two arms (54) which extend downwards from the first section (50) of the upper housing part (26), in particular at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first section (50) of the upper housing part (26), in the direction of a sliding board plane, wherein the first screw or pin connection (44, 46) comprises two screws (46) or pins, and wherein a fastening point (44) for a screw (46) or a pin is provided in each case at the distal ends of the two arms (54) of the second section (52) of the upper housing part (26).

9. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one (26) of the two housing parts (26, 28) is made of a metal material and / or the other (28) of the two housing parts (28, 26) is made of a plastics material.

10. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a release mechanism (30) is accommodated in the housing (26), which moves the binding body (20) into a position to release the engagement with the shoe when a force is exerted on the binding body (20) that exceeds a predetermined release force.

11. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the binding body (20) further comprises a housing cover (60) which is fastened to the upper housing part (26), wherein the housing cover (60) has at least one positive-engagement connection (62, 64).

12. Sliding board binding (10) according to claim 11, characterised in that the at least one positive-engagement connection (62, 64) comprises at least one projection (62) which is provided on the housing cover (60), and which engages with at least one recess (64) which is provided on the first and / or the second housing part (26, 28).

13. Sliding board binding (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding board binding (10) is configured as a heel unit (10) for a touring binding and is adjustable between a touring position, in which the heel unit (10) releases the shoe, and a downhill skiing position, in which the heel unit (10) holds the shoe.

14. Sliding board binding (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that the binding body (20) has two coupling pins (12) spaced substantially parallel to each other, which at least in a downhill skiing position of the sliding board binding (10) project from the binding body (20) in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sliding board and are configured for engagement with a heel section of a shoe, wherein the coupling pins (12) are arranged between the two arms (54) of the upper housing part (26).

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