Nordic ski binding

Abstract

The invention relates to a Nordic ski binding intended to receive a boot whose sole is provided with at least one connecting member (B), said binding comprising a base (2) provided with a housing (20) for said connecting member, means for locking the connecting member (B) and a lever (3) coupled to the locking means, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one blade (1) carried by said base and one end of which carries a locking element (11) at least partially closing said housing (20) to retain the connecting member in the housing, said locking element (11) being retractable either, under the pressure of the connecting member (B) when putting on the boot, or under the action of the lever (3) to allow entry into the housing (20) or exit from said housing (20) of the connecting member by deformation of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1),the locking element then returns to the position of at least partial closure of said housing (20) by elastic return of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1). Figure in the abstract (Fig. 4),

Description

Title of the invention: Nordic ski binding

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of devices for fixing a shoe to a sliding board and is more particularly concerned with Nordic ski bindings adapted to cross-country ski boots and intended to be mounted on the boards used for practicing this sporting activity.

[0002] The mechanical interface ensuring the connection and fixing of cross-country shoes on skis is now standardized. However, these bindings include numerous parts integrated into a mechanism intended to ensure complex kinematics.

[0003] More specifically, these bindings comprise a base provided with a housing receiving the axis of the shoe and supporting a mechanism for opening and closing this housing consisting of a carriage coupled to a return element and associated with a locking lever.

[0004] These parts cooperate with an axis (or at least a bar) integrated into the sole of the shoe to open the binding manually or under pressure from the foot and then to close it manually, after putting on the shoe, to lock the shoe in the binding by means of the lever.

[0005] However, the reliability of these traditional fasteners tends to decrease rapidly over time. Indeed, the large number of parts causes play between these parts or, due to the interactions between them, faster wear of the fastener.

[0006] This problem linked to the complexity of the mechanism integrated into the binding arises in particular with the Nordic ski binding described in patent EPI702658B1.

[0007] Furthermore, patent EP2184089B1 and patent EP3554656B1 describe bindings which only allow for laborious manual donning due to the fact that it requires delicate and destabilizing body movements to operate the locking lever.

[0008] In this context, the invention sought to design a Nordic ski binding with a simple and lightweight structure using a very limited number of parts and allowing, jointly, locking and unlocking of the boot in the binding by simple elastic deformations and not, as in the past, by means of a complex mechanism.

[0009] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a Nordic ski binding intended to receive a boot whose sole is provided with at least one connecting member, said binding comprising a base provided with a housing for said connecting member, means for locking the connecting member and a lever coupled to the locking means, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one blade carried by said base and one of the ends of which carries a worm element. rusting at least partially closing said housing to maintain the connecting member in the housing, said locking element being retractable either under the thrust of the connecting member when putting on the shoe, or under the action of the lever to allow entry into the housing or exit from said housing of the connecting member by deformation of the flexible portion of the blade, the locking element then returning to the position of at least partial closing of said housing by elastic return of the flexible portion of the blade.

[0010] According to advantageous characteristics of the binding of the invention, the blade is housed in the base and the housing has a U-shaped section with flared walls whose width is at least equal to the diameter of the connecting member of the shoe.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the fixing of the invention, the locking element is formed from an end portion of the blade which is curved and has a beveled section forming a guide ramp for the connecting member.

[0012] According to yet another characteristic of the binding of the invention, the base comprises a stop to prevent the movement of the locking element by countering a lifting force exerted at least upwards by the connecting member of the shoe.

[0013] According to a specific variant embodiment of the fixing of the invention, the flexible portion of the blade is extended by at least one rectilinear portion embedded in the base.

[0014] According to a first embodiment of the attachment of the invention, the lever is pivotally mounted on the base and comprises, on the one hand, an operating arm extending forwards and, on the other hand, a needle coming to the rear to bear on the flexible portion of said blade so as to ensure its retraction inside the base by manually pivoting the arm upwards.

[0015] According to a specific variant, this lever is articulated on an axis mounted in the base in front of the housing. If necessary, this axis is coupled to a return spring.

[0016] Preferably, the angle of the flexible portion of the blade is between 20° and 90° relative to the end of the blade carrying the locking element and this flexible portion is oriented upwards and forwards with an angle between 0° and 150°, and preferably between 90° and 130°, relative to the plane of the base when the blade is in the undeformed state.

[0017] According to a particular variant embodiment of the invention, the fixing comprises a member for adjusting the angle of inclination of the flexible portion of the blade consisting of a screw ensuring the movement of a nut in contact with said flexible portion.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the fixing of the invention, the lever is formed by a forward and upward extension of the end of the blade opposite the end carrying the locking element.

[0019] Preferably, this lever-forming extension is mounted to tilt in a recess provided in the base.

[0020] Another object of the invention is a Nordic ski board equipped with a binding according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0021] In principle, the invention proposes a Nordic ski binding which has the advantage of being both light and reliable by integrating a reduced number of mechanical parts, none of which require additional connections.

[0022] Furthermore, the binding of the invention allows automatic locking of the boot thanks to the flexion of the blade but also retains the possibility of secure manual locking by actuation of the pivoting or tilting lever. Releasing the lever jointly causes the latter to return to its initial position flat against the ski and a closing of the housing in which the boot connecting member (for example, a transverse bar located under the sole) is then locked.

[0023] Of course, the specific geometry of the blade, its different dimensions, as well as those of the base housing and the properties of the material used to make this blade are determined by taking into account the nature of the connecting member, the travel of the shoe and the forces compatible with the fitting.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the Nordic ski binding according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig.3] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the front [Fig.l] attachment automatic shoeing.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the attachment of [Fig.l] during automatic shoeing.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the attachment of [Fig.l] after automatic fitting and shoe locking.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the attachment of [Fig.l] in barefoot position.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of fixing the [Fig.l] in the fitted position.

[0032] [Fig.8] is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the Nordic ski binding according to the invention.

[0033] [Fig.9] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the attachment of [Fig.7].

[0034] [Fig. 10] is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the blade integrated into the attachment of [Fig.l].

[0035] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. The front part of the binding is on the right in Figures 1 to 9. Conversely, in [Fig. 10], the blade is oriented with its front part on the left.

[0036] Naturally, the embodiments of the fixing of the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below are given only as non-limiting examples. It is explicitly provided within the scope of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0037] The invention relates to the field of ski bindings and is more particularly concerned with an improved binding intended to be mounted on Nordic skis (also called cross-country skis) for fitting shoes adapted to this sporting discipline.

[0038] Such shoes comprise, in a traditional and standardized manner, at least one connecting member with the binding, such as a transverse bar B generally of cylindrical profile, fixed at the front under the sole (the shoe and its sole are not shown in the figures). However, the invention can also be applied to shoes carrying a connecting member of different profile (such as a lug) or more than one bar by duplicating in an appropriate manner the structure of the binding described below.

[0039] As illustrated by figures 1 and 2, Nordic ski bindings generally comprise a base 2 provided with a housing 20 intended to receive the bar B of the boot and a lever 3 coupled to means for locking this bar B in the housing 20. These locking means are possibly associated with a return member.

[0040] The Nordic ski bindings further comprise an element 4 made of elastic material (commonly called a "flexor"), fixed to the base 2 which is compressed by the front of the shoe together with the lifting of the heel when practicing Nordic skiing, also known as cross-country skiing.

[0041] The invention aims to improve traditional Nordic ski bindings by proposing to produce them in the form of a simple and lightweight structure using a very limited number of parts. In particular, the invention proposes a binding allowing the boot to be put on / locked and taken off / unlocked by simple elastic deformations and not, as in the past, by means of a complex mechanism.

[0042] This objective is achieved by means of a fixing in which the locking means of the bar B comprise a blade 1 at least partially flexible, or elastically deformable, carried by the base 2, and preferably housed longitudinally finally in the base 2, two distinct embodiments of which are shown in the figures. Preferably, the blade 1 is connected directly to the base 2. Alternatively, it is possible to provide at least one intermediate piece (not shown) which is connected to the base 2 and can be inserted between the base 2 and the blade 1. A first embodiment of this blade is shown in figures 1 to 7 and in [Fig. 10] (partial view) and a second embodiment is shown in figures 8 and 9.

[0043] This blade 1 is preferably made of a shape memory material, metallic such as steel, or composite based on short or long fibers, and is attached then mounted in the base 2. One of the ends of the blade 1 carries a locking element 11 which, in the free state of the blade, (that is to say, before bending under stress and therefore before and after putting on, the blade being in an undeformed state - figures 3 and 5), at least partially closes the housing 20. This locking element 11 is carried here by the rear end of the blade 1 and is retractable by elastic deformation under stress of a flexible portion 12 of the blade under the effect of the substantially vertical and downward thrust exerted by the bar B during putting on ([Fig.4]).

[0044] The locking element 11 thus ensures the closure of the housing 20 and the locking of the bar ([Fig.5]), by an automatic return to the free state of the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1 in the rest position, thanks to the shape memory of its constituent material. In this locking position of the bar B, the binding therefore ensures the retention of the shoe in the base 2. The putting on of the shoe is therefore automatic under the action of the bar B during the push.

[0045] The housing 20 of the base 2 has a U-shaped section with flared walls whose width is at least equal to the diameter of the bar B of a Nordic ski boot. The walls of the housing 20 ensure the guidance of the bar B when putting on and taking off the skis. The base 2 also comprises a cavity intended to receive the blade 1. The base 2 preferably comprises, as illustrated in the figures illustrating the first embodiment, a stop 24 arranged under the end portion of the blade 1 carrying the locking element 11 and intended to prevent the movement of the locking element 11 against a lifting force, at least upwards, exerted by the connecting member formed here by the bar B.

[0046] Thus, this stop 24 ensures the blocking of the locking element 11 in the closed position of the housing 20 and makes it possible to prevent accidental removal of the shoe. Indeed, the shoe, by lifting abruptly, would cause the bar B upwards against the locking element 11 which would then risk retracting to allow the bar B to escape from the housing 20 which would be problematic in terms of safety.

[0047] Thanks to the stop 24, the release can therefore only be carried out manually by means of the lever 3. However, it would be possible to provide that the stiffness of the portion flexible 12 of the blade 1, or the rigidity of the stop 24 or even that of the locking element 11, is adjusted so that a violent upward force of the boot (of a predetermined value, for example, depending on the weight of the skier) automatically releases the bar, as exists in alpine ski bindings.

[0048] According to the two embodiments of the fixing of the invention shown here in the figures, the locking element 11 of the blade 1 is formed in a single piece with one of the end portions of the blade 1 which then has a curved profile. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the fixing not shown, and without departing from the scope of the invention, the locking element 11 could be produced in the form of an added part and mounted on one of the ends of the blade 1.

[0049] In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, this curved end portion of the blade 1 forms a loop 11a open towards the rear and which projects towards the front in the housing 20. When putting on the shoe, the bar B comes into bearing contact against this loop to force it to retract into the base 2 by pivoting the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1 in order to free the passage. When putting on and taking off the shoe, the blade 1 works in flexion in a free configuration and embedded in the base. Indeed, the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1 is extended by a rectilinear portion 13 embedded in the base 2 and / or in the flexor 4.

[0050] As illustrated in detail in [Fig. 10] with reference to the blade 1 of the first embodiment, the loop 11a comprises two substantially parallel branches 11b which are joined by a beveled section 11c forming a guide ramp for the bar B when putting on the shoe. This beveled section facilitates the retraction of the end portion 11 of the blade 1 when introducing the bar B into the housing 20. In this embodiment, the stop 24 is located here between the branches 11b of the loop 11a, as illustrated by FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0051] The cavity 21 of the base 2 located here at the rear of the housing 20 has a profile and dimensions adapted to those of the loop 11a to allow its retraction into the base when the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1 pivots.

[0052] In another embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the locking element 11 is formed by the rear end portion of the blade 1 which is here only curved backwards and downwards towards the bottom of the housing 20, unlike the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6. This curved portion comprises the beveled section 11c which forms a guide ramp for the bar B when putting on the shoe.

[0053] According to the invention, it is provided that the flexible portion 12 of the blade extends in the extension of the end portion carrying or forming the locking element 11. The flexible portion 12 is itself extended by at least one portion 13 of the blade 1 bearing against a part of the base 2. The blade 1 works in flexion in a free configuration by being supported on the base. However, the blade 1 can take different shapes and have various dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention. As examples, two variant embodiments of the blade 1 are illustrated, respectively, by figures 8 and 10.

[0054] According to the first embodiment of the binding of the invention (figures 1 to 7), the lever 3 is pivotally mounted on the base 2 and comprises, on the one hand, an operating arm 31 and, on the other hand, a needle 32 resting on the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1. The needle 32 ensures the forced retraction of the locking element 11 inside the base 2 and the opening of the housing 20 by pivoting the arm 31. This pivoting of the arm 31 is carried out to manually remove the shoe, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The shoeing can also be carried out by maneuvering the arm 31, if the user so wishes.

[0055] Preferably, the operating arm 31 extends forward and the needle 32, oriented rearward, is in sliding support on the flexible portion 12 of the blade 1 so as to ensure its forced retraction inside the base 2 by pivoting the arm 31 upwards.

[0056] The needle 32 has a beveled face 32a (figures 6 and 7) for bearing against the flexible portion 12 which is here inclined and is wedged under the loop 11a of the locking element 11. The lever 3 is articulated, for its part, on a transverse axis 23 mounted in the base 2 in front of the housing 20. If necessary, this axis 23 is coupled to a return spring (not shown).

[0057] Preferably, and as illustrated by [Fig. 10], the angle (a) of the flexible and inclined portion 12 of the blade 1 is between 30° and 90°, and preferably between 45° and 70°, relative to the end portion of the blade 1 carrying the locking element 11. This inclined flexible portion 12 is oriented upwards and backwards with an angle (b) between 0° and 150°, and preferably between 90° and 130°, relative to the plane of the base 2, and therefore here relative to the rectilinear and embedded portion 13 of the blade 1.

[0058] When retracted into the base 2 (when putting on or taking off the shoe), the blade 1 flexes by pivoting in a single direction around a deformable line located at the junction between the inclined flexible portion 12 and the rectilinear portion 13 which is, for its part, immobilized by being embedded in the base 2 (figures 4 and 6).

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, a connection is provided between the lever and the blade to ensure its return to the rest position even in the presence of ice or snow likely to block its bending.

[0060] According to another particular variant embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.7], the binding comprises a member 5 for adjusting the bending stiffness of the inclined flexible portion 12 of the blade 1. This adjustment member 5 is, for example, consisting of a screw 51 ensuring the movement of a nut 50 in contact with the inclined flexible portion 12 and making it possible to adjust the torque necessary for the force to be produced to easily put on and / or take off the shoes.

[0061] Yet another variant not shown consists of adding a reversible locking element of the lever requiring, for the skier, an additional manipulation to allow the lever to pivot upwards and thus reinforce the security of the binding.

[0062] According to the second embodiment of the fixing of the invention shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lever 3 is formed of an extension 14 of the blade 1 on the side opposite the curved rear end 11 forming the locking element and therefore extending towards the front of the base 2.

[0063] Preferably, the terminal portion of this extension 14 forming a lever is inclined relative to the curved rear end portion 11 with an angle of between 0° and 20°. This extension 14 is connected to the curved rear end portion 11a of the blade 1 by a flexible intermediate portion 12 then by a rectilinear portion 13. Its front terminal portion projects outside the base 2 to allow it to be gripped.

[0064] The terminal portion of the front extension 14 is mounted to pivot between a low position and a high position in the base 2, being housed in a recess 22 provided in the flexor 4. Manual pressure on this portion thus makes it possible to lift the locking element 11 of the blade 1 and to open the housing 20 to release (when taking off the shoe) the bar B from the shoe, and also, if necessary, to insert (when putting on the shoe) the bar B if the user does not wish to use automatic putting on. Preferably, the dimensions of the recess 22 are determined as a function of the necessary clearance of the portion 14 forming a lever and therefore of the upward travel of the locking element 11 to release the bar B from the housing 20 when taking off the shoe.

[0065] The cavity of the base 2 intended for mounting the blade 1 is open above the base 2 and / or below and / or laterally to be able to easily slide the blade 1 there, as illustrated by [Fig.8] and, if necessary, to replace it.

Claims

Claims

1. Nordic ski binding intended to receive a boot whose sole is provided with at least one connecting member (B), said binding comprising a base (2) provided with a housing (20) for said connecting member, means for locking the connecting member (B) and a lever (3) coupled to the locking means, said locking means comprising at least one blade (1) carried by said base and one of the ends of which carries a locking element (11) at least partially closing said housing (20) to hold the connecting member in the housing, said locking element (11) being retractable either under the thrust of the connecting member (B) when putting on the boot, or under the action of the lever (3) to allow the entry into the housing (20) or the exit from said housing (20) of the connecting member by deformation of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1),the locking element then returning to the position of at least partial closure of said housing (20) by elastic return of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1), characterized in that the lever (3) is pivotally mounted on the base (2) and comprises, on the one hand, an operating arm (31) and, on the other hand, a needle (32) resting on the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1).,

2. Fastening according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade (1) is housed in said base (2).

3. Binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (20) has a U-shaped section with flared walls intended to receive the connecting member (B) of the shoe.

4. Fastening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the width of the U-shaped section is at least equal to the diameter of the connecting member (B).

5. Fastening according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking element (11) is formed from an end portion (11a, 11b, 11e) of the blade (1) which is curved.

6. Fastening according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking element (11) has a beveled section (11c) forming a guide ramp for the connecting member (B).

7. Fastening according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a stop (24) to prevent the movement of the locking element (11) when a lifting force is exerted at least upwards by the connecting member (B) of the shoe.

8. Fixing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible portion (12) of said blade (1) is extended by at least one rectilinear portion (13) embedded in the base (2).

9. Fixing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said operating arm (31) extends forwards and said needle (32) extends rearwards so as to ensure the retraction of the blade inside the base (2) by manually pivoting the arm upwards.

10. Fastening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said lever (3) is articulated on an axis (23) mounted in the base (2) in front of said housing (20).

11. Fastening according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axis (23) of the lever (3) is coupled to a return spring.

12. Fastening according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the angle (a) of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1) is between 30° and 90° relative to the end of the blade carrying the locking element (11).

13. Fastening according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the flexible portion (12) of said blade is oriented upwards and backwards with an angle (b) between 0° and 150°, preferably between 90° and 130°, relative to the plane of the base (2), the blade being in the undeformed state.

14. Fastening according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a member (5) for adjusting the angle of inclination of the flexible portion (12) of the blade (1) consisting of a screw (51) ensuring the movement of a nut (50) in contact with said flexible portion (12).

15. Fastening according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said lever (3) is formed of an extension (14) towards the front and towards the top of the end of the blade opposite the end carrying the locking element (11).

16. Fixing according to claim 15, characterized in that the extension (14) forming a lever is mounted to tilt in a recess (22) provided in the base (2).

17. Nordic ski board equipped with a binding according to one of the preceding claims

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