Heel unit for a gliding board binding with reinforcing plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heel unit (10) for a ski-ski binding, in particular for a touring binding, wherein the heel unit (10) is to be mounted on a ski-ski surface which defines a ski-ski plane (E), comprising a binding body (16), two coupling pins (18) arranged substantially side by side on the binding body (16) for engaging in recesses of a heel section of a ski-ski boot in order to fix the ski-ski boot to the heel unit (10), wherein the coupling pins (18) project from the binding body (16) in a skiing position of the heel unit (10) in a ski-ski longitudinal direction (x), in particular in a forward direction of travel, and at least one of the coupling pins (18) is located relative to the other coupling pin (18) between a skiing position and a My release orThe entry position is movable, and a reinforcing element (30) in the form of a reinforcing plate (30) which is arranged on the binding body (16) and extends substantially in a plane substantially orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E), wherein the reinforcing element (30) is configured to form at least one contact section (34) for contact with at least one of the coupling pins (18), at least when a load acts on the coupling pins (18), in particular when a load acts on the coupling pins (18) in a direction (z) substantially orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E).

Description

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

[0002] The heel units discussed in the present disclosure are, in particular, heel units for touring bindings that are to be mounted on skis or touring skis. However, split boards (longitudinally divisible snowboards whose halves can be used as touring skis) or the like are equally suitable as gliding boards to which a heel unit according to the present invention is to be attached, so that the invention also relates to heel units for bindings of such gliding boards, although reference is made below primarily to touring bindings without limiting the subject matter of the invention.

[0003] It is further noted that, for the purposes of this disclosure, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "lateral", "vertical", "horizontal", "height direction", "transverse direction", "width direction", "longitudinal direction" and the like refer, for the sake of simplicity, to the view of a user who has stepped into the heel unit mounted on the gliding board with a shoe, the gliding board being arranged in a horizontal plane (the gliding board plane).

[0004] A heel unit of this type is known, for example, from DE 10 2011 079 210 A1. In the known heel unit, the coupling pins are mounted on the binding body. When a force is applied to the coupling pins, they rest directly on the binding body. Such a force can occur, for example, while riding, when the gliding board experiences impacts caused by uneven surfaces or the like. In addition, when stepping into the heel unit, i.e. when coupling the gliding board boot, high forces act on the coupling pins, which are transmitted directly into the binding body. During such a coupling process, the user usually presses the heel section of the gliding board boot onto the coupling pins from above in a substantially vertical direction, generating high forces.A metal insert in the heel of the boot, which has sloped surfaces where the coupling pins slide outward in a transverse direction of the gliding board, causes the coupling pins to move away from each other. This means that a vertical movement of the gliding board boot is converted into a horizontal movement of the coupling pins, with the binding body having to absorb the resulting forces. Conversely, in a forward fall and the associated release of the heel unit, a force acts in the opposite direction (from below) on the coupling pins, which in turn is transmitted directly to the binding body, since the coupling pins are mounted directly on the binding body.

[0005] Due to the relatively small contact area of the coupling pins on the binding body, which is usually made of plastic for cost and weight reasons, relatively high forces act on the binding body at specific points. These forces occur, for example, when stepping into the heel unit, during a release, especially a My release, and also during skiing itself. This is because the sole of the boot is not usually supported. Instead, the gliding board boot rests on the coupling pins via the inserts in the heel area and presses on the coupling pins with the full weight of the user, whose effect can be multiplied by impacts, jumps, or compression. This frequently causes wear and / or defects in the binding body in the area where the coupling pins are mounted.

[0006] Furthermore, EP 3 053 632 A1, EP 2 656 884 A1 and DE 10 2011 078 834 A1 disclose a heel unit for a gliding board binding according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Against this background, it was the object of the present invention to further develop a generically known heel unit for a gliding board binding, in particular for a touring binding, in such a way that less wear and / or defects occur, in particular on the binding body in the area of the bearing of the coupling pins, and the heel unit is thus easier to maintain and less susceptible to defects.

[0008] To achieve this object, a heel unit for a gliding board binding according to claim 1 is provided.

[0009] An important aspect of the solution according to the invention thus lies in the support of the coupling pins on the reinforcing element when a force is applied to the coupling pins, particularly in a direction substantially orthogonal to the gliding board plane. This allows the force acting on the coupling pins to be transferred to the binding body via the reinforcing element, thus relieving the load on the binding body. This reduces wear on the binding body in the area where the coupling pins are mounted, making the heel unit easier to maintain and less susceptible to defects.

[0010] According to the claim, the binding body and the reinforcing element are connected to one another by means of a connecting arrangement, wherein the connecting arrangement comprises a screw or pin connection, in particular wherein an assembly direction of the screw or pin connection runs essentially parallel to the gliding board plane. The assembly direction corresponds to an axial direction of a screw or pin axis. The screw or pin connection can have screws and / or pins or bolts, such as dowel pins, in particular knurled bolts. In particular, the screw or pin connection can comprise two or more screws, by means of which the reinforcing element is screwed to the binding body. The binding body of the gliding board binding is thus capable of permanently absorbing even larger forces, in particular frontal release forces during a My release (torque about a Y axis) in the vertical direction.The resulting connection arrangement enables a structurally simple, detachable, and permanently wear-resistant connection between the reinforcement element and the binding body, even after extended periods of intensive use. In other words, frontal release forces (also known as FAV forces) occurring during a My release, acting in a direction essentially perpendicular to the gliding board plane, can be advantageously absorbed or transferred into the binding body via the first screw or pin connection, especially if this has an installation direction essentially parallel to the gliding board plane. This further improves the durability of the heel unit.

[0011] To provide the at least one contact section, the reinforcing element can particularly preferably comprise at least one recess for the coupling pins, which is configured to form the at least one contact section for contact with at least one of the coupling pins. In particular, two recesses can be provided in the reinforcing element in the form of the reinforcing plate, one for each coupling pin. Recesses in the reinforcing element offer the advantage that the coupling pins can, for example, be received in the respective recess, thereby providing contact sections or support for the coupling pins on multiple sides or in different directions, for example downwards, upwards, and / or on one or both sides. Such a configuration can improve the stability of the heel unit and further reduce wear on the binding body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel unit may further comprise a base with a fastening arrangement for fastening to the gliding board surface, wherein the binding body is arranged on the base so as to be rotatable about a release rotation axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane, in particular for adjusting the heel unit between a downhill position and an Mz release position.Due to the possibility of rotating the binding body relative to the base, the heel unit can be adjusted, for example, between the downhill position, in which the coupling pins arranged on the binding body protrude from the binding body in the longitudinal direction of the gliding board, and a walking position in which the coupling pins do not point forward, in particular are rotated by, for example, approximately 90° or approximately 180°, and thus can no longer engage with the heel section of the gliding board shoe, whereby the heel section of the gliding board shoe coupled to a front unit of a touring binding can lift off the heel unit for walking.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heel unit can further comprise a My release arrangement configured to preload at least one of the coupling pins toward its downhill position, and / or an Mz release arrangement configured to preload the binding body toward its downhill position. In the event of a so-called forward fall, a frontal release, also called My release, can thus be provided. In a forward fall, a user of the heel unit falls forward, whereby a force acting from below acts on the coupling pins through the heel portion of the gliding board boot.By means of inclined surfaces on an insert provided in the heel area of the gliding board boot, the coupling pins, which are pretensioned towards one another by the My release mechanism, can be moved away from one another in a plane parallel to the gliding board plane in order to release the gliding board boot. Additionally or alternatively, in the event of a fall, a lateral release, also known as an Mz release, can be provided if the boot twists sideways. An Mz release can occur in particular by rotating the binding body in relation to the gliding board or a base attached to the gliding board around a release rotation axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane. If the binding body, together with the coupling pins, is twisted sideways sufficiently far from the downhill position by an external force such as lateral impacts or the like, the heel section of the gliding board boot can be released.In this way, a complete safety release, including frontal and side release, can be provided, which significantly increases the safety for a user of the heel unit.

[0014] Mz and My are release torques of gliding board bindings. My is the torque for release when a torque is applied around a gliding board transverse axis (Y-axis), if this torque exceeds a My release torque. The movement of the coupling pins relative to each other required for My release can, for example, occur against the preload force of compression springs arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gliding board. The preload force of these springs is transferred to the coupling pins via inclined wedge surfaces of wedge elements in order to move them in a direction different from the arrangement of the compression springs, in particular to preload them towards each other, i.e. to generate a torque. In particular, torsion springs are also possible for generating the preload force for the coupling pins, which can, for example, act directly on the coupling pins.Mz is the torque for release upon rotation of the gliding board boot in the gliding board binding, and My is the torque during a forward tilt, for example, a forward fall. Accordingly, an Mz safety release ensures the release of the gliding board boot from the gliding board binding upon application of a torque about a Z-axis, provided this torque exceeds an Mz release torque. The Z-axis runs parallel to a release rotation axis orthogonal to the gliding board plane. The Mz release mechanism is designed to provide such an Mz safety release in the most defined manner possible.

[0015] In addition, the coupling pins can advantageously be configured to move away from one another during a movement between the downhill position and the My-release or entry position essentially in a direction essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gliding board and essentially parallel to the gliding board plane, or in a direction with a movement component in a direction essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gliding board and essentially parallel to the gliding board plane and a movement component in a direction essentially perpendicular to the gliding board plane, such that a distance between the coupling pins increases. A movement of the coupling pins away from one another releases the boot in the event of a forward fall. An additional movement of the coupling pins away from one another and upwards extends a release path and can advantageously prevent false releases due to impacts or the like.

[0016] In particular, it is contemplated that the reinforcement element is arranged in front of the binding body in the direction of travel, i.e., that the reinforcement element points toward a heel of the gliding board shoe. This allows the reinforcement element to interact directly with the coupling pins, which also protrude forward from the binding body in the direction of the shoe heel, thus providing at least one contact section for supporting the coupling pins when a force is applied. This can further improve the stability and wear resistance of the heel unit, in particular of the binding body.

[0017] Alternatively, or in particular in addition to a screw or pin connection, the binding body and the reinforcing element can be connected to one another by means of a connection arrangement, wherein the connection arrangement comprises a positive connection. Such a positive connection can in particular be formed by a positive connection between the binding body and the reinforcing element. In this way, the stability of the arrangement can be further improved. Forces and / or impacts occurring during use of the heel unit, which would place considerable strain on any screw or pin connection provided, can also be largely transmitted to the positive connection, thus avoiding excessive strain and thus premature wear of the screw or pin connections.

[0018] The positive connection can comprise at least one binding-body-side projection and at least one corresponding recess on the reinforcing element, wherein the recess on the reinforcing element is configured to receive the respective binding-body-side projection therein in a substantially positive-locking manner. In particular, two projections can be provided on the binding body and, correspondingly, two recesses in the reinforcing element. With one projection and one recess, the positive connection can be realized with structurally simple means, and the stability of the arrangement can be further improved.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing element can be made of a material that differs from the material from which the binding body is made. In particular, the reinforcing element in the form of the reinforcing plate can be made of a more wear-resistant or harder material than the binding body. In this way, improved stability and wear resistance can be achieved while keeping the cost and weight of the heel unit low.

[0020] In particular, it is envisaged that the binding body is made of a plastic material and the reinforcing element is made of a metallic material. A combination of a metallic material and a plastic material brings with it a combination of weight and cost savings (plastic) on the one hand and stability and wear resistance (metal) on the other. It is envisaged that the binding body is made of a plastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA-GF), and the reinforcing element is made of titanium, alternatively of steel or aluminum, or of alloys thereof. In particular, a sheet metal material is envisaged.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one recess can be configured to provide a guide for the coupling pins in order to limit the movement path of the coupling pins toward and / or away from each other. Such limitation can be achieved, in particular, by stops inward and outward in the gliding board's transverse direction or y-direction. This allows a defined release path for a My release to be achieved. In addition, wear on the binding body can be further reduced.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the thickness of the reinforcing element in the form of the reinforcing plate can be between 1 mm and 4 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 3 mm, preferably 2.5 mm. It has been found that such a plate thickness, especially measured in the longitudinal direction of the gliding board, provides an optimal weight-to-stability ratio.

[0023] The initially formulated inventive problem is also solved by a touring binding comprising a heel unit according to the present invention. With a heel unit according to the present invention, wear on the binding body in the area of the coupling pin bearings can be reduced, making the touring binding easier to maintain and less susceptible to defects.

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heel unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in a downhill position, Figure 2 is a front view of the heel unit from Figure 1in the downhill position, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the heel unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in a release position and Figure 4 is a front view of the heel unit from Figure 3 in the release position.

[0025] With reference to Figure 1 A heel unit, generally designated 10 in the figures, comprises a binding body 16 and two coupling pins 18 arranged substantially side by side on the binding body 16 for engaging in recesses of a heel portion of a gliding board shoe in order to fix the gliding board shoe to the heel unit 10. The heel unit 10 is to be mounted on a gliding board surface of a gliding board (not shown).

[0026] The gliding board surface defines a gliding board plane E. In relation to the gliding board plane E, an X-axis (gliding board longitudinal direction or x-direction), which is oriented in the direction of travel of the gliding board and runs parallel to the gliding board plane E, a Y-axis (gliding board transverse direction or y-direction) running orthogonal to the X-axis and parallel to the gliding board plane E, and a Z-axis (vertical direction or z-direction) running orthogonal to the gliding board plane E are also defined.

[0027] The heel unit 10 may further comprise a base 12 with a fastening arrangement for fastening the heel unit 10 to the gliding board surface. Such a fastening arrangement may be implemented in the present embodiment, for example, by fastening holes 14 for fastening screws.

[0028] The base 12 can be constructed in two parts, with a first base element 20, in particular in the form of a base plate 20, which for attachment to the gliding board has, for example, the fastening arrangement for fastening by means of screws (corresponding bores 14 in the first base element 20), and with a second base element 22, in particular in the form of a longitudinally displaceable slide 22, which can be attached to the first base element 20. The second base element 22 can be held displaceably in the x-direction on the first base element 20 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.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the binding body 16 can be arranged on the base 12 so as to be rotatable about a release rotation axis running parallel to the z-direction. In particular, in the preferred embodiment, such a rotation of the binding body 16 with respect to the base 12 allows the heel unit to be adjusted between a downhill position and an Mz release position and / or between a downhill position and a walking position.

[0030] According to the invention, the coupling pins 18 protrude from the binding body 16 in a downhill position of the heel unit 10 in the gliding board longitudinal direction x, in particular in the direction of travel forwards, and at least one of the coupling pins 18 is movable relative to the other coupling pin 18 between a downhill position ( Figures 1 and 2 ) and a My-trigger or entry position ( Figures 3 and 4 ) movable.

[0031] In order to reinforce the binding body 16 or to protect it against wear, the heel unit 10 further comprises a reinforcing element 30 in the form of a reinforcing plate 30, which in Figure 2, a front view of the heel unit 10. The reinforcement plate 30 is arranged on the binding body 16 and extends essentially in a plane substantially orthogonal to the gliding board plane E. The reinforcement element 30 is designed to form at least one contact section 34 for contact with at least one of the coupling pins 18, at least when a load acts on the coupling pins 18, in particular when a load acts on the coupling pins 18 in a direction z substantially orthogonal to the gliding board plane E. Such a contact section 34 ensures support of the coupling pins on the reinforcement element 30 when a force acts on the coupling pins 18, in particular in the direction substantially orthogonal to the gliding board plane E.As a result, the force acting on the coupling pins 18 can be transmitted via the reinforcement element 30 into the binding body 16, thus relieving the load on the binding body 16. This reduces wear on the binding body 16 in the area where the coupling pins 18 are mounted.

[0032] Such a reinforcement plate 30 can be made, in particular, from a metallic sheet material, such as preferably titanium, steel, aluminum, or alloys thereof, while the binding body 16 can preferably be made of plastic. Thus, the reinforcement plate 30 can support the binding body 16 with respect to the forces acting on it and protect it from wear. For this purpose, the reinforcement plate 30 is preferably arranged in front of the binding body 26 in the direction of travel x in order to be able to interact directly with the coupling pins 18, which protrude from the binding body 18 in the direction of travel x.

[0033] The reinforcement plate 30 can comprise at least one recess 32 for the coupling pins 18, which is configured to form the at least one contact section 34 for contact with at least one of the coupling pins 18. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcement plate 30 can comprise two recesses 32, one for each coupling pin 18. The contact sections 34 represent a type of stop for the coupling pins 18 and can directly absorb forces acting in the z-direction, in particular, and transmit them to the binding body 16.

[0034] To better absorb and distribute the acting forces, a positive connection can be provided between the binding body 16 and the reinforcing element 30. For this purpose, at least one projection 27, 29 can be provided on the binding body 16, which can be received in a substantially positive-locking manner in at least one matching recess 37, 39 provided on the reinforcing element 30. In the preferred embodiment, in particular, two projections 27, 29 and two recesses 37, 39 can be provided. A lower projection 27 of the two binding-body-side projections can, for example, be provided in a mushroom-like shape with a section 28 that widens in the y-direction.A resulting wider contact surface in the y-direction between the widened section 28 of the projection 27 of the binding body 16 and the recess 37 of the reinforcing plate 30 promotes the introduction of the forces acting on the coupling pins 18 via the reinforcing plate 30 into the binding body 16, since the forces can be better distributed due to the wider contact surface.

[0035] In order to secure the reinforcing element 30 or the reinforcing plate 30 also in the x-direction to the heel unit 10, two screws 46 can be provided in the present embodiment, which are passed through screw holes 36 in the reinforcing plate 30 and are screwed to the binding body 16 in an assembly direction substantially parallel to the gliding board plane E.

[0036] In the Figures 3 and 4The heel unit 10 of the preferred embodiment is shown in a My release or entry position. During such an entry process, in which the gliding board shoe is coupled to the heel unit 10, the user presses the heel section of the gliding board shoe from a substantially vertical direction from above onto the coupling pins 18. For example, by means of a metal insert in the shoe heel with inclined surfaces on which the coupling pins 18 slide, the coupling pins 18 move away from each other essentially in the y-direction or in the y-direction with an additional movement component in the z-direction upwards. In the event of a forward fall and an associated My release of the heel unit 10, a force in the z-direction acts from below on the coupling pins 18. In turn, the coupling pins 18 are moved away from each other in the y-direction by inclined surfaces provided on the gliding board shoe, as shown in Figure 4 is shown.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be seen that the two recesses 32 provide a kind of guide for the coupling pins 18 during the movement that the coupling pins 18 perform during a My-triggering or entry process, and thus limit the movement path of the coupling pins 18 towards and / or away from each other. Thus, the coupling pins 18 are in Figure 2 , in the downhill position of the heel unit 10, at an inner end in the y-direction or at an inner contact portion of the recesses 32, while with reference to Figure 4In the My release or entry position of the downhill position of the heel unit 10, they rest on an outer end in the y-direction or on an outer contact section of the recesses 32. In this way, a defined release path for a My release can be achieved, and the movement of the coupling pins 18 away from each other during a step-in process can be limited by stops provided on the reinforcement plate, which is made in particular of a metallic material. This, in turn, can reduce wear on the binding body.

Claims

1. Heel unit (10) for a sliding plate binding, wherein the heel unit (10) is to be mounted on a sliding plate surface which defines a sliding plate plane (E), comprising: a binding body (16), two coupling pins (18) arranged side by side on the binding body (16) for engaging in recesses of a heel section of a sliding board shoe, to fix the sliding board shoe to the heel unit (10), wherein the coupling pins (18) in a descent position of the heel unit (10) project in a sliding board longitudinal direction (x) from the binding body (16) and at least one of the coupling pins (18) is movable relative to the other coupling pin (18) between a departure position and a My-release position or entry position, and a reinforcement element (30) in the form of a reinforcement plate (30), which is arranged on the binding body (16) and extends in a plane orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E), wherein the reinforcement element (30) is configured to form at least one contact section (34) for contact with at least one of the coupling pins (18) under a load acting on the coupling pins (18), characterised in that the binding body (16) and the reinforcing element (30) are connected to each other by means of a connecting arrangement (27, 29, 36, 37, 39, 46), wherein the connecting arrangement comprises a form-fitting connection (27, 29, 37, 39).

2. Heel unit (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the reinforcing element (30) comprises at least one recess (32) for the coupling pins (18), which is arranged to form at least one contact section (34) for contact with at least one of the coupling pins (18).

3. Heel unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a base (12) with a fastening arrangement (14) for fastening to the sliding board surface, wherein the binding body (16) is arranged rotatably on the base (12) about a release rotational axis orthogonal to the sliding board plane (E).

4. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a My-release arrangement, which is arranged to bias at least one of the coupling pins (18) towards its departure position, and / or an Mz-release arrangement, which is designed to bias the binding body (16) towards its departure position.

5. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling pins (18) are arranged to move apart during a movement between the departure position and the My-release position or entry position in a direction (y) perpendicular to the sliding board longitudinal direction (x) and parallel to the sliding board plane (E) or in a direction with a movement component in direction (y) perpendicular to the sliding board longitudinal direction (x) and parallel to the sliding board plane (E) and a movement component in a direction (z) perpendicular to the sliding board plane (E), so that a distance between the coupling pins (18) increases.

6. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcement element (30) is arranged in the direction of travel (x) in front of the binding body (16).

7. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the binding body (16) and the reinforcement element (30) are connected to each other by a connecting arrangement (27, 29, 36, 37, 39, 46), wherein the connecting arrangement includes a screw or pin connection (36, 46).

8. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the form-fitting connection (27, 29, 37, 39) comprises at least one projection (27, 29) on the binding body side and at least one corresponding recess (37, 39) on the reinforcing element (30), wherein the recess (37, 39) on the reinforcement element (30) is arranged to positively receive the respective binding body-side projection (27, 29) therein.

9. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reinforcement element (30) is made of a material which is different from the material from which the binding body (16) is made.

10. Heel unit (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the binding body (16) is made from a plastic material and the reinforcing element (30) is made from a metallic material.

11. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one recess (32) is arranged to provide a guide for the coupling pins (18) to limit the movement path of the coupling pins (18) towards and / or away from each other.

12. Heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a thickness of the reinforcement element (30) in the form of the reinforcement plate (30) is between 1 mm and 4 mm, optionally between 2 mm and 3 mm, optionally 2.5 mm.

13. Touring binding, comprising a heel unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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