Front jaw and safety ski binding with a front jaw

Abstract

Toe piece (1) of a safety ski binding with a base plate (3) and a housing (2) with a housing top (2a) and sole holders (5) pivoting about vertically extending axes forming bolts (6, 6') having front and rear sections, which on their front sections receive the bolts (6, 6') in bores (5a, 5'a) and on their rear sections cooperate with the sole of an inserted ski boot.The sole holders (5) are mounted at their front sections on the upper part of the housing (2a) in a ball-joint manner, so that they can be moved upwards over their rear sections by tilting the bolts (6, 6'), each bolt (6, 6') passing through an elongated hole (11) extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and formed in the base plate (3), having a front and a rear end (11a, 11b), and being pressed below the elongated hole (11) under the action of a spring (14) in the direction of the front end (11a) of the elongated hole (11), the rear end (11b) forming a stop limiting the extent of the tilting of the bolts (6, 6').

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toe piece of a safety ski binding comprising a base plate and a housing with an upper housing part and a front housing part, as well as two sole holders pivotable on the housing about vertically extending axes forming bolts, having front and rear sections, which receive the bolts in bores and interact with a release mechanism arranged between them. The invention further relates to a safety ski binding comprising such a toe piece.

[0002] A toe piece of the type mentioned above is known from EP 3 095 492 A1. The release mechanism, which interacts with the sole holders, has a helical compression spring as the release spring, which runs in the transverse direction of the ski when the toe piece is mounted on the ski and which acts on tension elements, one of which is articulated on one sole holder and the other on the other sole holder, such that pivoting out of the sole holders causes the release spring to compress. The two vertical axes of the sole holders are formed by bolts, which, with respect to the toe piece mounted on the ski, are arranged in front of the engagement points of the tension elements. In other known designs of toe pieces with release springs running in the transverse direction of the ski, the sole holders interact with pressure elements, which cause the release spring to compress when the sole holders are triggered or pivoted out.

[0003] Standardized ski boots (ISO 5355 / ISO 23223) have soles with thicknesses that may deviate from the standardized thickness in the front area by up to ± 1.0 mm. Various solutions have been proposed to adapt the sole holders of the toe pieces of safety ski bindings in this regard. One of these known solutions, as known, for example, from EP 2 886 170 A1, provides a height-adjustable support arrangement for the front part of the sole of the ski boot. This known support arrangement has a slider mounted on a base plate that is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the ski and simultaneously in the vertical direction. The position of the slider can be adjusted by means of an adjustment spindle oriented in the longitudinal direction of the ski and extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the ski.Adapting the sole holders to a ski boot with a specific sole thickness therefore requires the manual operation of an adjustment spindle to adjust the support arrangement vertically relative to the sole holders. Document CH404497A discloses a toe piece according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of ensuring, in a toe piece of the type mentioned at the outset, an automatic adjustment of the sole holder to the sole thickness of the ski boot used in a particularly simple manner.

[0005] The stated object is achieved according to the invention in that the sole holders are mounted on the upper part of the housing in a ball-joint manner at their front sections, so that they can be moved upwards via their rear sections by tilting the bolts, wherein each bolt projects through an elongated hole which runs in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is formed in the base plate and has a front and a rear end, and is pressed below the elongated hole under the action of a spring in the direction of the front end of the elongated hole, wherein the rear end forms a stop which limits the extent of tilting of the bolts.

[0006] The invention allows the sole holders to be moved upwards over the ski boot sole when inserting a ski boot with a sole whose thickness, for example, exceeds the height of the sole holders in the starting position of the toe piece, so that this ski boot can be inserted into the toe piece without prior separate manual adjustment. The holding-down force of the sole holders on the ski boot sole can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the springs that act on the bolts in the area of ​​the base plate. In the event of a backward twisting fall, the mobility of the sole holders can additionally assist in release. The invention also requires only a few components and their weight is almost negligible and is particularly suitable for automatic adjustment to ski boot soles standardized according to ISO 5355 and / or ISO 23223.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, each sole holder has a spherical segment-shaped, particularly hemispherical, projection for its ball-joint-like mounting, which engages with a counter-spherical recess on the underside of the upper housing section. This provides a particularly stable and practical way of mounting the sole holders in a ball-joint-like manner. In this embodiment, the bolts are received in blind holes in the sole holders, and the projections are formed above the ends of the blind holes on the sole holders.

[0008] In a further advantageous embodiment, the ball-joint-like mounting of the sole holders is carried out in such a way that the bolts pass through bores in the sole holders and have heads shaped like spherical segments, in particular hemispherical heads, which each engage in a counter-shaped recess on the underside of the upper part of the housing.

[0009] Due to the elongated holes in the base plate, the bolts can tilt relative to the elongated holes, with the springs acting on the bolts ensuring unimpeded tilting. In this regard, it is advantageous if each bolt is acted upon by the spring via a pressure element.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, each pressing element is designed in a block-like manner and is provided with a rounded portion on its side facing the bolt, which rounded portion partially encloses the respective bolt.

[0011] In a further design that ensures functional reliability, each pressure element is designed in a closed ring-like manner and surrounds the bolt with a free space in front of the bolt - in the forward direction.

[0012] In a particularly space-saving and practical design, the pressure elements and the springs that act on them are housed in a recess in the base plate.

[0013] Further preferred embodiments relate to the springs that interact with the pressure elements, which are in particular helical compression springs or elastomeric spring elements. Such springs remain fully functional even at low temperatures.

[0014] When the toe piece is designed with a housing upper part which at least partially covers the sole holders, a free space is left between the housing upper part and the sole holders for the upward movement of the sole holders.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, this free space is designed in such a way that the upper part of the housing forms a further stop limiting the extent of this movement when the sole holders move upwards.

[0016] A relatively small upward movement of the sole holders is preferred for the toe piece's other functionality, particularly with regard to reliable safety releases and a good grip of the ski boot in the toe piece. The elongated holes in the base plate and any free space between the upper housing section and the sole holders are therefore advantageously designed to allow automatic adjustment of the sole holders to ski boot soles with a standardized sole thickness of 19.00 mm + / - 1.00 mm, particularly with an additional range of motion of up to 1.00 mm.

[0017] The invention further relates to a safety ski binding with a heel piece and a toe piece, the latter being designed according to one or more of claims 1 to 13.

[0018] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 a front jaw of a safety ski binding in a view diagonally from above, Fig. 2 a top view of the front jaw, Fig. 3 a cut along the Fig. 2 according to III - III marked cutting plane, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 further design variants based on Fig. 3 analog sectional views.

[0019] The toe piece 1 shown in the figures is intended for receiving and holding the front end of the sole of a ski boot (not shown) and is the front binding part of a safety ski binding, which has a second binding part, a heel piece, which is not shown. Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The double arrow SL indicates the longitudinal direction of the ski when the safety ski binding is mounted on a ski (not shown). The arrow marked R t in Fig. 2 The double arrow denotes the transverse direction, or the transverse direction of the ski, parallel to the top surface of the ski. In the description and claims, terms such as "vertical" and "horizontal," "top surface," "bottom surface," and the like refer to the toe piece 1 positioned on the ski or a plane parallel to the top surface of the ski (not shown). Terms such as "front," "rear," and the like refer to positions relative to the tip or tail of the ski. Some components of the toe piece 1, which are shown but are not relevant to understanding the invention and can also be configured in other ways, are not separately designated or described.

[0020] As the Figures 1 to 5As shown, the toe piece 1 comprises a housing 2 with an upper housing part 2a and a front housing part 2b, as well as two sole holders 5 with front and rear sections. The upper housing part 2a extends parallel or substantially parallel to the upper side of the ski, while the front housing part 2b extends vertically or substantially vertically to the upper side of the ski. The housing 2 is firmly connected to a base plate 3, by means of which the toe piece 1 is attached to the ski in a manner not shown, in particular by means of screws. In an alternative embodiment, the base plate 3 is part of the housing 2.

[0021] The two sole holders 5 are single-armed and are each fixed in the area of ​​their front sections by means of a bolt 6 ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ), 6' ( Fig. 5), each forming an axis extending in the vertical direction, can be pivoted outwards. The term "vertical direction" also includes a deviation of up to 3° from the exact vertical. Each sole holder 5 has rear sections designed such that they overlap the front edge section of the sole of a ski boot inserted into the toe piece 1, from above and at the edges, and preferably rest laterally against the sole of the ski boot with sliding rollers 7 arranged in pairs and rotatably.

[0022] The components of a release mechanism, which is not the subject of the invention, are housed inside the housing 2. For example, the release mechanism has at least one helical compression spring (not shown) as a release spring, which runs in the transverse direction R t when the toe piece 1 is mounted and is compressed via tension elements interacting with the sole holders 5 when the sole holders 5 are pivoted out laterally. Such a release mechanism is the subject of EP 3 095 492 A1 and is described in detail in this document. In an alternative embodiment, the helical compression spring interacts with a pressure mechanism operatively connected to the sole holders 5.

[0023] In the Fig. 1 to 5In the embodiments shown, the part of the base plate 3 beginning in the area below the rear sections of the sole holders 5 and extending further backwards forms a standing plate which is provided with a sliding plate 8 movable in the transverse direction R t.

[0024] The bolts 6 are located in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown versions in a vertically extending blind hole 5a of the sole holder 5. In the Fig. 5 In the embodiment shown, the bolts 6' pass through vertically extending holes 5'a in the sole holders 5. Each bolt 6, 6' has a lower end section 6a ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ), 6'a ( Fig. 5), which in each case passes through an elongated hole 11 formed in the base plate 3, running in the longitudinal direction of the ski, having a front end 11a and a rear end 11b, and which projects into an elongated recess 13 formed on the underside of the base plate 3, likewise running in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Within the respective recess 13, each bolt 6, 6' is subject to the action of a spring 14 inserted into the recess 13 to the rear of the bolt 6, 6', which spring 14 is a helical compression spring in the embodiments shown and which presses the respective bolt 6, 6' in the direction of the front end 11a of the elongated hole 11.

[0025] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5In the embodiments shown, a pressure element 12, for example of a block-like design, is inserted between the helical compression springs 14 and the bolts 6, 6'. On its side facing the bolt 6, 6', the pressure element 12 has a rounded portion adapted to the bolt 6, 6' (not visible in the figures), which partially encloses the end section 6a, 6'a of the bolt 6, 6'. In front of the end section 6a, 6'a of each bolt 6, 6', a free space remains in each recess 13 for a tilting movement of the bolt 6, 6'.

[0026] At the Fig. 4 In the embodiment shown, the spring 14 presses on a ring-like closed pressure element 12', which surrounds the end section 6a of the bolt 6 with a free space in front of the bolt 6.

[0027] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4show embodiments in which a spherical segment-shaped, in particular hemispherical, projection 9 is formed or attached above the ends of the blind bores 5a on the upper side of each sole holder 5, which projection engages in a counter-shaped recess 10 on the underside of the upper housing part 2a.

[0028] At the Fig. 5 In the embodiment shown, the bolts 6' penetrating the sole holders 5 are provided at their upper ends with spherical segment-shaped, particularly hemispherical, heads 9'. Each head 9' engages the oppositely shaped recess 10 on the underside of the upper housing part 2a.

[0029] The sole holders 5 are therefore movably mounted on the upper housing part 2a in all design variants, so that a combined tilting / upward movement of the sole holders 5 and thus the bolts 6, 6' in the direction of the arrows K in Fig. 3 to 5This movement is limited by the rear ends 11b of the elongated holes 11 as soon as the bolts 6, 6' are in contact there.

[0030] The vertical distance h between the contact point for the sole of a ski boot on the sliding plate 8 and the contact points of the ski boot sole on the sole holders 5 can therefore automatically adapt to the thickness of the sole when the ski boot is inserted. The design is preferably such that the sole holders 5 automatically adapt to at least the usual standardized sole thicknesses of 19.00 mm ± 1.0 mm. An additional range of motion of approximately 1.00 mm is advantageous in order to compensate for any layers of snow that may be present. When the ski boots are inserted, thicker ski boot soles move the sole holders 5, together with the release mechanism and the bolts 6, 6', slightly upwards relative to the upper housing part 2a, which remains stationary. As mentioned, the rear ends 11b of the elongated holes 11 limit this movement.

[0031] In designs of the toe piece 1 in which the sole holders 5 are at least partially covered by the upper housing part 2a, a free space or gap is left between the underside of the upper housing part 2a and the upper side of the sole holders 5, which allows the tilting / upward movement of the sole holders 5. This free space or gap can be designed such that when inserting a ski boot, the sole holders 5 also rest against the underside of the upper housing part 2a when the maximum travel distance is reached.

[0032] The springs 14 ensure that the sole holders 5 are returned to their original position when the ski boot is removed from the toe piece 1 or is released from the toe piece 1. List of reference symbols

[0033] 1Toe piece 2Housing 2aHousing upper part 2bHousing front part 3Base plate 5Sole holder 5aBlind hole 5'aHole 6, 6Bolt 6a, 6'aLower end section 7Glide roller 8Glide plate 9Protrusion 9Head 10Shape 11Elongated hole 11Front end 11Rear end 12, 12Pressure element 13Recess 14Spring RtTransverse direction S l Longitudinal direction of the ski KParrow

Claims

1. Front jaw (1) of a safety ski binding with a base plate (3) and a housing (2) having an upper housing part (2a) and with sole holders (5) having front and rear sections that are pivotable about vertically extending axes formed by bolts (6, 6'), the front sections of the sole holders receiving the bolts (6, 6') in bores (5a, 5'a), and the rear sections cooperating with the sole of an inserted ski boot, wherein the sole holders (5) are mounted in a ball-joint-like manner at their front sections on the upper housing part (2a), so that they can be moved upwards via their rear sections by tilting the bolts (6, 6'), wherein each bolt (6, 6') projects through a longitudinal hole (11) extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and formed in the base plate (3), the hole having a front and a rear end (11a, 11b), and characterized in that the bolts (6, 6') are pressed by the action of a spring (14) below the longitudinal hole (11) in the direction of the front end (11a) of the longitudinal hole (11), wherein the rear end (11b) forms a stop limiting the degree of tilt of the bolts (6, 6').

2. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that for the ball-joint-like mounting, each sole holder (5) has a projection (9) shaped like a spherical segment, in particular a hemispherical shape, which engages in a complementary recess (10) on the underside of the upper housing part (2a).

3. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bolts (6) are received in blind holes (5a) of the sole holders (5), wherein the projections (9) are located above the ends of the blind holes (5a).

4. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that for the ball-joint-like mounting of the sole holders (5), the bolts (6') pass through bores (5'a) in the sole holders (5) and have heads (9') shaped like spherical segments, in particular hemispherical, which each engage in a complementary recess (10) on the underside of the upper housing part (2a).

5. Front jaw (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each bolt (6, 6') is acted upon by the spring (14) via a pressure element (12, 12').

6. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the pressure element (12) is configured in a block-shape.

7. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pressure element (12) has a curvature on its side facing the bolt (6) that partially surrounds the bolt (6).

8. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the pressure element (12') is formed as a closed ring and surrounds the bolt (6) with a clearance in the forwards direction.

9. Front jaw (1) according to any one or more of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the pressure elements (12, 12') and the springs (14) acting on them are accommodated in a recess (13) of the base plate (3).

10. Front jaw (1) according to any one or more of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the springs (14) acting on the pressure elements (12, 12') are compression coil springs or elastomeric spring elements.

11. Front jaw (1), in which the upper housing part (2a) at least partially covers the sole holders (5), according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a clearance is provided between the upper housing part (2a) and the sole holders (5).

12. Front jaw (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the clearance is configured in such a manner that the upper housing part (2a), when the sole holders (5) move upwards, forms a further stop that limits the extent of the movement.

13. Front jaw (1) according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the longitudinal hole (11) and the clearance (if any) between the upper housing part (2a) and the sole holders (5) are correspondingly configured to allow automatic adjustment of the sole holders (5) to soles of ski boots with standardized sole thicknesses of 19.00 mm ± 1.00 mm, in particular with an additional clearance of up to 1.00 mm.

14. Safety ski binding comprising a heel piece and a front jaw (1) which is realized according to any one or more of Claims 1 to 13.

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