Heel piece for a ski binding

Abstract

A heel piece (1) for a ski binding is disclosed, comprising: a base (2); a turret (4); a lever (51), preferably a heel raiser, which is rotatably borne by the turret (4); a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and a second hooking and unhooking pin (12) which are borne by the turret (4) and which are movable for hooking to and unhooking from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot; elastic means (6); a slider (7) which is connected to the elastic means (6) and which is arranged to exert, through the action of the elastic means (6), for example a spring, a stress on the hooking pins (11, 12) which opposes the unhooking of the same hooking pins (11, 12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot; and a unhooking connector (8) which is borne by the turret (4). The unhooking connector (8) is arranged so as to be operable by the lever (51) when the lever (51) is operated in rotation, and is dimensioned so as to consequently cause the slider (7) to move against the action of the elastic means (6), to result in the unhooking of the hooking pins (11, 12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

Description

[0001] The present inventions fall within the technical field relating to ski bindings, with particular reference to a heel piece for an alpine ski or ski mountaineering binding.

[0002] Known from EP 4302844A1 is a heel piece for a ski binding, comprising: a base attachable to a ski; a turret which rises rotatably from the base and which is borne rotatably about an axis perpendicular to the ski when subjected to an unhooking torque exceeding a specified threshold value; a lever which is rotatably borne by the turret, and which is operable in a first direction of rotation to perform a first path of rotation; at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal which is borne by the turret and which is movable to hook onto the rear portion of a ski boot and to unhook from the rear portion of a ski boot; elastic means which are borne by the turret; a slider which is connected to the elastic means and which is arranged so that, when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal is hooked to the rear portion of a ski boot, it exerts through the action of the elastic means a stress on the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal which opposes the unhooking of the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal from the rear portion of a ski boot.

[0003] This heel piece allows unhooking of the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal from the rear portion of a ski boot in two modes: in a first mode, by rotation of the turret with respect to its axis; or in a second mode, by rotation of the rear portion of a ski boot with respect to an axis perpendicular to the ski. The first mode is automatic, safety, and occurs in the event of a collision or fall while skiing (in which case the unhooking torque exceeds the threshold value). The second mode can be automatic (safety) or manual, and occurs with the unhooking of the ski boot tip from the toe-piece of a ski binding.

[0004] There is also a need to provide the heel piece with the possibility of manually hooking and unhooking the first terminal from the rear portion of a ski boot.

[0005] The said object is achieved by means of a heel piece for a ski binding according to claim 1 or according to claim 8.

[0006] The lever or button may be manually operated by the user, for example by means of a ski pole.

[0007] Advantageously, the heel piece is thus more versatile because it allows the user an easy manual unhooking from the rear portion of a ski boot. The heel piece is also safer because there may be situations (e.g., an impervious and / or steeply sloping area) wherein the user needs to manually release it from the rear portion of a ski boot.

[0008] Specific embodiments of the first invention and the second invention will be described in the remainder of this discussion, in accordance with the claims and with the aid of the attached drawing plates, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a heel piece which is the object of a first invention, in accordance with a first embodiment and in a hooking configuration, and of a rear portion of a ski boot which is hooked to the heel piece; figure 2 is a front view of the heel piece of figure 1; figure 3 is a view of section III-III of figure 2; figure 4 is a top view, and enlarged scale, of a K1 detail shown in figure 2; figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side and perspective view of the heel piece shown in figure 1, wherein some parts have not been illustrated in order to better highlight others; figure 7 is a perspective view of the heel piece of figure 1, in a unhooking configuration, and of the rear portion of a ski boot that is unhooked from the heel piece; figure 7A is a view according to arrow H, and to an enlarged scale, of the rear portion of a ski boot illustrated in figure 7; figure 8 is a front view of the heel piece shown in figure 7; figure 9 is a view of section IX-IX of figure 8; figure 10 is a top view of an enlarged K2 detail shown in figure 8; figures 11 and 12 are respectively a side and perspective view of the heel piece shown in figure 7, wherein some parts have not been illustrated in order to better highlight others; figure 13 is a perspective view of the heel piece shown in figure 1, in an uphill walking configuration, and of the rear portion of a ski boot that is unhooked from the heel piece; figure 14 is a front view of the heel piece of figure 13; figure 15 is a view of section XV-XV of figure 14; figure 16 is a perspective view of a heel piece which is the object of the first invention, in accordance with a second embodiment and in a hooking configuration, and of a rear portion of a ski boot that is hooked to the heel piece; figure 17 is a front view of the heel piece of figure 16; figure 18 is a view of section XVIII-XVIII of figure 17; figure 19 is a top view of an enlarged section K3 shown in figure 17; figures 20 and 21 are respectively a side and perspective view of the heel piece shown in figure 16, wherein some parts have not been illustrated to better highlight others; figure 22 is a view of section XXII-XXII of figure 20; figure 23 is a perspective view of the heel piece of figure 16, in a unhooking configuration, and of the rear portion of a ski boot that is unhooked from the heel piece; figure 24 is a front view of the heel piece of figure 23; figure 25 is a view of section XXV-XXV of figure 24; figure 26 is a top view of an enlarged K4 section shown in figure 24; figures 27 and 28 are respectively a side and perspective view of the heel piece shown in figure 23, wherein some parts have not been illustrated to better highlight others; figure 29 is a view of section IXXX-IXXX of figure 27; figure 30 is a perspective view of the heel piece of figure 1, in an uphill walking configuration, and of the rear portion of a ski boot that is unhooked from the heel piece; figure 31 is a front view of the heel piece of figure 30; figure 32 is a view of section XXXII-XXXII of figure 31; figure 33 is a perspective view of a heel piece which is the object of a second invention, in accordance with an embodiment and in a hooking configuration, and of a rear portion of a ski boot that is hooked to the heel piece; figure 34 is a side view of the heel piece of figure 33; figure 35 is a view of section XXXV-XXXV of figure 34; figure 36 is a perspective view of the heel piece of figure 33, in a unhooking configuration, and of the rear portion of a ski boot that is unhooked from the heel piece; figure 37 is a side view of the heel piece of figure 36; figure 38 is a view of section XXXVII-XXXVII of figure 37.

[0009] With reference to Figures 1-32, a heel piece for a ski binding, which is an object of the first invention, has been generically referred to as (1), wherein: it comprises a base (2) that can be attached to a ski (illustrated schematically only in figure 17) it comprises a turret (4) which is borne by the base (2) comprises a lever which is borne rotatably by the turret (4), and which is operable in a first direction of rotation (R1) (illustrated in figure 1) to perform a first path of rotation (which can be inferred by comparing figures 1 and 7) it comprises at least a first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) which is borne by the turret (4) and which is movable for hooking to and unhooking from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (which can be inferred by comparing Figures 4 and 10 for example) includes elastic means (6); comprises a slider (7) which is connected to the elastic means (6) and which is arranged so that, when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) is hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot exerts, through the action of the elastic means (6), a stress on the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) that opposes the unhooking of the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (see, for example, figure 6) includes an unhooking connector (8) (clearly visible for example in figures 5 and 6) which is borne by the turret (4); the unhooking connector (8) is arranged so as to be operable by the lever (51) when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) is hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot and when the lever (51) travels along the first path of rotation (see, for example, Figures 5, 6); the unhooking connector (8) is dimensioned so that, when actuated by the lever (51), it in turn causes the slider (7) to move against the action of the elastic means (6), until it causes the unhooking of the at least one hooking and unhooking terminal from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (see for example Figures 11, 12).

[0010] Preferably, the lever (51) is arranged so that its actuation in the first direction of rotation (R1) causes the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) to move away from each other.

[0011] Preferably, the unhooking connector (8) is arranged to be pressable by the lever (51) when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) is hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot and when the lever (51) travels along the first path of rotation.

[0012] The turret (4) can be identified in a support.

[0013] Preferably, the lever (51) is identified in a first heel raiser (51) (as illustrated in the figures).

[0014] Preferably, the first heel raiser (51) is operable in a second direction of rotation (R2) (shown in Figure 7), which is opposite to the first direction of rotation (R1), to achieve a first position of support (P1) (Figures 13-15 for example) which is suitable for receiving in support the rear portion (5) of a ski boot during an uphill walk.

[0015] The heel raiser (1) may also comprise a second heel raiser (52) which is rotatably borne by the turret (4), to achieve a second position of support (not illustrated) which is suitable for receiving in support the rear portion (5) of a ski boot during an uphill walk.

[0016] Preferably, the elastic means (6) are borne by the turret (4).

[0017] The heel piece (1) may comprise an abutment member (9) for abutting the elastic means (6), which is borne by the turret (4). The elastic means (6) may be interposed between the slider (7) and the abutment member (9).

[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the first invention: the turret (4) comprises a guide (10) within which the abutment member (9) can slide; the heel piece (1) comprises an adjusting screw (20) which is borne by the turret (4) and which is positioned to act on the abutment member (9) to adjust the degree of compression of the elastic means (6), acting on the position assumed by the abutment member (9) along the guide (10).

[0019] The elastic means (6) may comprise one or more compression springs.

[0020] The at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) may comprise (as illustrated in the figures) a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and a second hooking and unhooking pin (12).

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the first invention: the heel piece (1) comprises a first coupling element (81) and a second coupling element (82); the heel piece (1) comprises a first rotating arm (91) which at one end is rotatably coupled to the turret (4) and which at the other end bears the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the first coupling element (81); the heel piece (1) comprises a second rotating arm (92) which at one end is rotatably coupled to the turret (4) and which at the other end bears the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) and the second coupling element (82); the slider (7) is provided with a first coupling profile (101) for coupling with the first coupling element (81) and a second coupling profile (102) for coupling with the second coupling element (82). The first coupling element (81) may be integral with the first hooking and unhooking pin (11), and the second coupling element (82) may be integral with the second hooking and unhooking pin (12). More particularly, the first rotating arm (91), the first coupling element (81) and the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) may form a rigid body, i.e. being integral with each other; similarly, the second rotating arm (92), the second coupling element (82) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) may form a rigid body, i.e. being integral with each other.

[0022] In accordance with the first embodiment, the first coupling element (81) and the second coupling element (82) may have a cylindrical shape, while the first coupling profile (101) and the second coupling profile (102) may have a concave shape to receive the first coupling element (81) and the second coupling element (82) respectively. The first rotating arm (91) and the second rotating arm (92) can be coupled rotatably to the turret (4) by means of pivots (80), clearly visible in Figures 5-6.

[0023] The rear portion of the ski boot can be fitted with a hooking plate (60). The hooking plate (60) may comprise (figure 7A): a first housing (61), having for example the shape of a recess, to receive the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and a second housing (62), having for example the shape of a recess, to receive the second hooking and unhooking pin (12). When the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) is disposed in the first housing (61) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) is disposed in the second housing (62) then the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

[0024] The hooking plate (60) may also comprise a first inclined plane (71), over which the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) may slide during the hooking phase, and a second inclined plane (72), over which the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) may slide during the hooking phase.

[0025] A brief description of the operation of the heel piece (1) object of the first invention follows, with reference to the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-15.

[0026] Figures 1-6 show the heel piece (1) when the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (the rear portion (5) of a ski boot is only shown in Figure 1): in other words, the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are arranged in the first housing (61) and second housing (62) of the hooking plate (60), respectively. As can be seen from Figures 5-6, the slider (7) exerts, through the action of the elastic means (6), a stress on the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) that opposes the release of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot; in other words, the stress exerted by the slider (7) on the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and on the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) stably holds the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) respectively in the first housing (61) and in the second housing (62) of the heel plate (60).

[0027] By turning the first heel raiser (51) in the first direction of rotation (R1) (clockwise observing figure 1: see Figures 7-12), the first heel raiser (51) itself presses against the unhooking connector (8); the unhooking connector (8) in turn presses against the slider (7), moving (Figures 11, 12) the same slider (7) against the action of the elastic means (6), until determining the release of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot, see Figure 7. As can be seen by comparing figure 4 and figure 10, the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are more distant from each other during the unhooking phase from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

[0028] Subsequently, it is possible to rotate the first heel raiser (51) in the second direction of rotation (R2) (see figure 7) so that it reaches the first position of support (P1) to allow the skier to walk uphill, see figures 13-15.

[0029] A brief description of the operation of the heel piece (1) object of the first invention follows, with reference to the second embodiment illustrated in figures 16-32.

[0030] Figures 16-22 show the heel piece (1) when the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (the rear portion (5) of a ski boot is only shown in figure 16): in other words, the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are arranged in the first housing (61) and second housing (62) of the hooking plate (60), respectively. As can be seen from Figures 20-22, the slider (7) exerts, through the action of the elastic means (6) a stress on the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and on the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) (by means of the first coupling element (81) and of the second coupling element (82), respectively) which opposes the unhooking of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and of the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot; in other words, the stress exerted by the slider (7) on the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and on the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) stably holds the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) respectively in the first housing (61) and in the second housing (62) of the heel plate (60).

[0031] By rotating the first heel raiser (51) in the first direction of rotation (R1) (clockwise observing figure 16; see figures 23-29), the first heel raiser (51) itself presses against the unhooking connector (8); the unhooking connector (8) in turn indirectly moves the slider (7) (Figures 27-29) against the action of the elastic means (6), until to determine the unhooking of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot, see Figure 23. More in particular, the unhooking connector (8) directly abuts the first rotating arm (91) and the second rotating arm (92) (compare Figures 21 and 28), causing a rotation of the same such as to cause the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) to move away from each other, with the consequence that the slider (7) is moved, via the first coupling element (81) and the second coupling element (82), against the action of the elastic means (6).

[0032] As can also be seen from the comparison between figure 19 and figure 26, the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are more distant from each other during the unhooking phase from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

[0033] Subsequently, it is possible to rotate the first heel raiser (51) in the second direction of rotation (R2) (see figure 23) so that it reaches the first position of support (P1) to allow the skier to walk uphill, see figures 30-32.

[0034] With reference to Figures 33-38, a heel piece for a ski binding, which is the subject matter of the second invention, has been generically indicated by (200), wherein: comprises a base (2) attachable to a ski (3) (not shown); comprises a turret (4) which rises from and is borne by the base (2); comprises elastic means; it comprises a first arm (201) and a second arm (202) which are both borne by the turret (4), which are side by side and which are capable of being approached and moved away from each other under the action of the elastic means; the free end of the first arm (201) is a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the free end of the second arm (202) is a second hooking and unhooking pin (12); the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are movable for hooking to and unhooking from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot includes a unhooking button (210) that is borne by the turret (4) and that is arranged to interfere with the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) when actuated and when the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot, resulting in the unhooking of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and of the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

[0035] Preferably, the elastic means, the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) are incorporated into a spring (205) having a "U" shape Preferably, the unhooking button (210) is arranged so that its actuation causes the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) to move away from each other.

[0036] Preferably, the heel piece (200) comprises a guiding and supporting member (203) which is borne by the turret (4), which supports the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) and which guides the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) in a direction (H) when the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) move away from and towards each other.

[0037] The unhooking button (210) may comprise a first inclined wall (211) and a second inclined wall (212) which are opposed to each other and which are arranged to press against the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) respectively, thereby causing the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) to move away from each other when the unhooking button (210) is actuated.

[0038] A brief description of the operation of the heel piece (200) object of the second invention follows, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 33-38.

[0039] Figures 33-35 show the heel piece (200) when the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot (the rear portion (5) of a ski boot is only shown in figure 33): in other words, the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are arranged in the first housing (61) and second housing (62) of the hooking plate (60), respectively.

[0040] By actuating the unhooking button (210), Figures 36-38, the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) are elastically moved away from each other, which results in the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) being unhooked from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

[0041] It is understood that the above has been described by way of example and not by way of limitation, whereby any variations in construction are understood to be within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as claimed below.

Claims

1. Heel piece (1) for a ski binding, wherein: comprises a base (2) attachable to a ski (3); comprises a turret (4) which is borne by the base (2); comprises a lever (51) which is rotatably borne by the turret (4), and which is operable in a first direction of rotation (R1) to perform a first path of rotation; comprises at least a first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) which is borne by the turret (4), and which is movable for hooking to and unhooking from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot comprises elastic means (6); comprises a slider (7) which is connected to the elastic means (6) and which is arranged so that, when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) is hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot exerts through the action of the elastic means (6) a stress on the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) that opposes the unhooking of the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot; characterised in that: it comprises an unhooking connector (8) which is borne by the turret (4); the unhooking connector (8) is arranged to be operable by the lever (51) when the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) is hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot and when the lever (51) travels along the first path of rotation; the unhooking connector (8) is dimensioned so that, when it is actuated by the lever (51), it in turn causes the slider (7) to move against the action of the elastic means (6), until it causes the unhooking of the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

2. Heel piece (1) in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein: the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) comprises a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and a second hooking and unhooking pin (12); the lever (51) is arranged so that activating it in the first direction of rotation (R1) causes the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) to move away from each other.

3. Heel piece (1) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever (51) is identified in a first heel raiser (51).

4. Heel raiser (1) in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein the first heel raiser (51) is operable in a second direction of rotation (R2), which is opposite to the first direction of rotation (R1), to reach a first position of support (P1) which is suitable for receiving in support the rear portion (5) of a ski boot during an uphill walk.

5. Heel piece (1) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic means (6) are borne by the turret (4).

6. Heel piece (1) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first hooking and unhooking terminal (11, 12) comprises a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and a second hooking and unhooking pin (12).

7. Heel piece (1) in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein: comprises a first coupling element (81) and a second coupling element (82); comprises a first rotating arm (91) which at one end is rotatably coupled to the turret (4) and which at the other end bears the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the first coupling element (81); comprises a second rotating arm (92) which at one end is rotatably coupled to the turret (4) and which at the other end bears the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) and the second coupling element (82); the slider (7) is provided with a first coupling profile (101) to couple with the first coupling element (81) and a second coupling profile (102) to couple with the second coupling element (82).

8. Heel piece (1) for a ski binding, wherein: comprises a base (2) attachable to a ski (3); comprises a turret (4) which rises from and is borne by the base (2); comprises elastic means; it comprises a first arm (201) and a second arm (202) which are both borne by the turret (4), which are side by side and which are capable of being approached and removed from each other under the action of the elastic means; the free end of the first arm (201) is a first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the free end of the second arm (202) is a second hooking and unhooking pin (12); the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are movable for hooking to and unhooking from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot characterised in that: it comprises an unhooking button (210) which is borne by the turret (4) and which is arranged to interfere with the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) when actuated and when the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) are hooked to the rear portion (5) of a ski boot, resulting in the unhooking of the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and of the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) from the rear portion (5) of a ski boot.

9. Heel piece in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein the elastic means, the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) are incorporated into a spring (205) having a "U" shape.

10. Heel piece in accordance with the preceding claim, wherein the unhooking button (210) is arranged so that its actuation causes the first hooking and unhooking pin (11) and the second hooking and unhooking pin (12) to move away from each other.

11. Heel piece in accordance with claim 7 or 8, wherein it comprises a guide and support member (203) which is borne by the turret (4), which supports the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) and which guides the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) in a direction (H) when the first arm (201) and the second arm (202) move away from and towards each other.

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