CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BINDING

Abstract

The invention relates to a cross-country ski binding (1) intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting element located at the front. The binding comprises a base including a receiving portion (15, 16) configured to accommodate the connecting element, and a retaining element (17, 18) movable between an engaged position in which it prevents the connecting element from exiting the receiving portion, and a retracted position in which the receiving portion is open to allow the connecting element to be inserted and removed. The binding is characterized in that the retaining element is supported by a mechanism (50) allowing the retaining element to rotate about a vertical axis (Z). Patent figure: [Fig 2]

Description

Title of the invention: CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BINDING technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of snow sports, and more specifically to cross-country skiing. It relates more particularly to a binding designed to be mounted on a ski, in order to secure the user's boot to the ski. It also relates more specifically to a particular structure of the means for engaging the binding, or releasing the boot from it. Such a binding is suitable for various cross-country skiing techniques, such as classic or skating. Previous Techniques

[0002] In general, cross-country ski bindings must allow reliable attachment of the boot to the ski, while allowing the heel to lift during the push-off phases, and this while limiting as much as possible the lateral movement of the boot relative to the longitudinal axis of the ski.

[0003] To achieve this, the boots known to date have a transverse axis located at the front of the boot, slightly below and set back from the front end of the boot. This transverse axis is trapped in the binding during skiing and constitutes the pivot point of the boot when the heel is lifted.

[0004] Document DE 94 22 308 U describes an example of a binding suitable for use with this type of boot. More specifically, this binding includes a central hook extending over a sufficient width to lock the boot's pivot point and allow the boot to pivot while remaining in a vertical plane. This hook is associated with a mechanism that allows it to be translated horizontally and longitudinally by the user rotating a knob. The design of this relatively wide hook has the disadvantage of making the binding heavier, with a relatively complex and fragile mechanism.

[0005] An evolution of this type of binding was proposed in document EP 2 184 089, which describes a binding comprising two hooks that cooperate with the axis of the boot. These two hooks are located on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the binding and are attached to a mechanism that allows them to pivot about a transverse horizontal axis. This mechanism is associated with an operating element located at the front of the binding, which is connected to the hooks by means of a lever arm. When moved, this lever arm allows the hooks to retract, permitting the axle to enter grooves provided for this purpose on vertical walls. These vertical walls are positioned so that they fit into complementary grooves formed on the boot. The mechanism is associated with means of recall which are thwarted when the user lifts the lever to release his shoe, so that after releasing this lever, the hooks automatically return to the engaged position, in which the grooves receiving the axle are closed.

[0006] This device has several drawbacks, notably the need for a large lever stroke operated by the user to release the hooks. Furthermore, and most importantly, the system is liable to cause unexpected release of the fastener if the vertical force exerted on the axis exceeds the force exerted by the return means.

[0007] Another solution was proposed in document EP 3 554 656, which also describes a cross-country ski binding equipped with a pair of hooks designed to cooperate with the boot's axle. These hooks are movable in longitudinal translation, under the effect of rotating a button located at the front of the binding. This binding has vertical ribs or walls, extending longitudinally, which cooperate with complementary grooves in the boot's sole to ensure centering of the boot on the binding and the transmission of lateral forces when the boot is pressed against the binding. At the front, these ribs have recesses forming grooves into which the boot's axle can be inserted.The movable hooks can thus move between an engaged position where they close these grooves and prevent the shaft from coming out, and a retracted position, in which the grooves are open and allow the shaft to be inserted and removed.

[0008] This device has the disadvantage of a certain mechanical complexity, since it is necessary to convert a rotation of the control knob into a translation of the pair of axes. The mechanism must be able to cause the hooks to translate over a sufficient length by simply rotating the control knob, thus requiring the creation of a significant lever arm. Description of the invention

[0009] One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a fastener that is simple in design, allowing sufficient movement of the hooks by means of a mechanism that integrates easily into the volume of the fastener, while ensuring very high reliability.

[0010] To this end, the Applicant has designed a binding for cross-country skis, conventionally intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting element, such as a transverse axle, located at the front. This binding comprises a base including a receiving part configured to accommodate this connecting element, and a movable retaining element between, on the one hand, an engaged position in which it to prevent the exit of the connecting organ from the receiving portion, and on the other hand a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open in order to allow the introduction and withdrawal of the connecting organ into the receiving portion.

[0011] According to the invention, this binding is characterized in that the retaining element is supported by a mechanism allowing the retaining element to rotate about a vertical axis. The term "vertical" will be used for simplicity, assuming that the binding is placed on a horizontal plane, so that the vertical direction corresponds to the perpendicular to the plane of the base, and consequently, to the upper face of the ski when the binding is mounted.

[0012] In other words, unlike prior art devices in which the retaining element moves by longitudinal translation or rotation around a horizontal and transverse axis, the invention favors a movement in which this retaining element pivots around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the ski. In other words, during the engagement or retraction movements of the retaining element, a portion of this element moves forward, while the other portion moves backward, and in the engaged position, locks the connecting member inside the receiving portion so that the boot remains attached to the binding. Thanks to this configuration, improved resistance to pull-out is observed compared to vertical forces exerted by the connecting member.

[0013] In practice, the retaining element can in particular take the form of two hooks, each having an extremity portion extending in a horizontal plane, these extremities being oriented in opposite directions from one hook to the other. In other words, one of the hooks points forward, while the other points backward.

[0014] In one particular embodiment, the two hooks are identical in shape and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the mechanism. However, the invention also covers cases where one hook is of a different design, to withstand greater forces on the inner or outer side of the fastener.

[0015] Generally, the receiving portion receiving the connecting element to retain the shoe can be designed in various ways and in particular take the form of two grooves, formed in walls present on the base of the fastening, and extending vertically and longitudinally.

[0016] In practice, the hooks can be positioned in various ways relative to the grooves that house the connecting element. Thus, the hooks can be located on the outside or inside of the walls, that is, on one side or the other of the wall, relative to the median longitudinal plane of the fastener. In a particular embodiment, the walls in which the grooves are formed may have a recess internal, within which the hook is housed and in which it moves to transition from an engaged to a retracted position and vice versa. In other words, in this embodiment, the hooks are protected from the outside since they pivot inside the wall containing the groove, and close the grooves when the fastener is engaged.

[0017] To move the mechanism carrying the retaining element, in particular the hooks, the fastener is equipped with an operating member which the user acts upon to actuate the fastener. This operating member is connected to the mechanism such that its movement causes the retaining element to move from the engaged position to the retracted position. This operating member may be a part of the mechanism and thus be in direct contact with the retaining element. Alternatively, the retaining member may be a part that is mechanically separated from the retaining element and only comes into contact with the mechanism when it is actuated. This allows, in particular, for a displacement movement, for example by translation, that is different from the rotational movement of the retaining element.

[0018] Advantageously, in practice, the mechanism ensuring the rotation of the hooks can take the form of a substantially horizontal plate, mounted to rotate about the vertical axis, this plate carrying the hooks, and an arm extending from this plate, the rotation of this arm about the vertical axis causing the hooks to rotate. In other words, the characteristic hooks are carried by a part having an extension reaching an area accessible to the user, so that the user can move the hooks by acting on the end of this arm, via the operating member.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, this mechanism may also include two fins extending in the plane of the plate symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation, so as to bear against the frame of the fixing, and ensure and avoid deformations of the plate and more generally of the mechanism in the case of significant forces.

[0020] According to another feature of the invention, the fastening may include return means configured to exert a return force on the mechanism, forcing it to remain in an engaged position. In other words, the mechanism is designed such that when the user exerts force on the arm to pivot the hooks, they must counteract the force exerted by these return means to release the shoe's connecting element, this connecting element generally being a pin. As soon as the user ceases to exert force on the arm, the mechanism returns to the engaged position, locking the pin in the grooves by default.

[0021] Various embodiments can be envisaged with regard to the connection between the operating member and the rest of the mechanism.

[0022] Thus, in a first embodiment, the operating member is fixed to the end of the arm that allows the mechanism to rotate. This arm can be located at various points on the binding, and in particular can extend forward so that the operating member is positioned at the front of the binding. It can also be located in a lateral area of ​​the binding, in a region easily accessible to the user, without risk of interference with other parts of the ski.

[0023] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the arm and / or the operating member may include means for locking it in a position where the hooks are engaged. In other words, the arm can be locked in a position where the hooks close the grooves, to prevent any unexpected disengagement of the axle, even if a very high force is exerted on the axle of the shoe, since movement of the arm is rendered impossible.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, these locking means may include a movable portion that translates relative to the end of the arm, this movable portion being able to cooperate with a region of the rest of the fastener to block the rotation of the arm. In other words, the arm has at its end a sliding stop that engages with a fixed part of the fastener, preventing the arm from being moved.

[0025] Advantageously, in practice, the hooks have inclined ramps in their upper part which allow the hooks to move from the engaged position to the retracted position when the shoe's axle exerts a downward force on these ramps during donning. In other words, the hooks are configured so that the pressure of the axle, when applied from above, causes the hooks to move automatically into a position where the axle can enter the grooves, without the need for manual operation of the mechanism.

[0026] The invention also covers ski boards equipped with such a binding, in particular those where the base of the binding is mounted on the ski by means of a plate attached to the upper face of the ski and with which the base of the binding is in sliding connection to allow the translation of the base and the adjustment of the position of the boot's gripping area on the ski. Brief description of the figures

[0027] The manner of implementing the invention and the resulting advantages will become clear from the description of the embodiments that follow, supported by the accompanying figures in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] is a rough perspective view of a ski binding according to a first method of embodiment of the invention.

[0029] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the fixation of [Fig.1], in which The different component parts are shown separately.

[0030] [Fig.3] is a rough perspective view of the part bearing the hooks characteristics of the fixation of the [Fig.l].

[0031] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] are detailed top and side views respectively of the connection area of ​​the shoe axle on the [Fig.1] binding, shown in the engaged position.

[0032] [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] are respectively top and side views of the detail of the connection area of ​​the shoe axle on the binding of the [Fig.1], shown in retracted position.

[0033] [Fig.8] is a bottom view of the attachment of [Fig.1], shown in an engaged position.

[0034] [Fig.9] is a detail view of the part bearing the characteristic hooks according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0035] [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11] are top views of a fastener incorporating the part of [Fig.9], shown in the engaged-locked and retracted-unlocked positions respectively.

[0036] [Fig. 12] is a simplified side view of the main parts operating for locking the arm of the part of [Fig.9]. Method of implementing the invention

[0037] For the remainder of this description, the longitudinal direction is understood to be the direction parallel to that of the ski intended to receive the binding, or the horizontal direction in the median plane of symmetry of the binding. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to this median plane of symmetry, and the vertical direction is the one that is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and that is perpendicular to the plane of the underside of the baseplate.

[0038] The binding 1 illustrated in [Fig. 1] consists of a plate 2 attached to the upper face of the ski, and having rails 6 for mounting the base 3, to which the boot (not shown) is attached. The base 3 can be adjusted as illustrated in [Fig. 1] by means of a part 4 which allows the position of the base 3 to be indexed relative to the plate, and thus the position of the boot's attachment zone relative to the ski to be precisely adjusted, although this is not directly related to the invention.

[0039] In its front part, the fastener 1, and more specifically the base of the fastener 3, includes the area intended to receive the shoe's connecting element. This connecting element is preferably an axle, which corresponds to the transverse front axle of the shoe. This transverse front axle of the shoe may be located in front of the front end of the sole or possibly under the sole in the front area. of the sole, or this axis can be separated into two portions of axis which can protrude laterally from the shoe.

[0040] More specifically, this area of ​​the fastener intended to receive the front axle of the shoe comprises two walls 13, 14 substantially in line with the vertical walls 8, 9 extending along the entire length of the fastener. These walls are designed to fit into complementary grooves under the sole of the shoe. In the area where the shoe axle is attached, these walls 13, 14 have a higher profile and include in their center a groove 15, 16 designed to receive the shoe axle and lock it longitudinally. The grooves 15, 16 form the receiving portions within the meaning of the invention. Between the two walls 13, 14, and in front of the grooves 15, 16, there is an elastomeric element 10 configured to come into contact with the extreme front part of the shoe and to act as a return spring, or even as a shock absorber, during heel lift movements.The internal faces of the grooves 15,16 located in the extension of the internal faces of the walls 13,14, are respectively closed by a hook 17,18 more easily visible in the figure [Fig.2]. .

[0041] In front of the shock absorber 10, the base 3 has a recess 21 into which a user-accessible operating mechanism 20 is inserted to open or close the binding. More specifically, as shown in [Fig. 2], this operating mechanism 20 is inserted into the end 31 of the arm 30 of the part 50 carrying the retaining elements designed to hold the boot axis in the binding, these retaining elements being constituted more precisely by the characteristic hooks 17, 18. This attachment can be achieved by a press fit, possibly combined with the insertion of a fixing screw through the hole 22 of the lever, which passes through the hole 32 of the end 31 of the arm.The assembly formed by the arm 30 of part 50 and the operating member 20 constitutes an actuating lever that opens the binding, either to release the boot by allowing the boot axle to exit the binding grooves by an upward lifting movement, or to provide access to the grooves so that the boot axle can be positioned at the bottom of these grooves for putting on the boot. This actuating lever is therefore a release lever, and also a putting-on lever.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the mechanism 50, carrying the characteristic hooks 17, 18, is generally in the form of a plate 52 which is mounted for rotation on the base 3 of the fastener, about a vertical axis Z. Certain areas of this plate 52 have been folded out of its plane. These include, in particular, the hooks 17, 18 which extend transversely and symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis Z, and therefore with respect to the central recess 54 which is centered on this axis. vertical Z and which ensures the rotation of this part relative to the rest of the fastener. The central part 54 of the plate 52 has a central hole for a mounting screw (not shown) under the base 3, and this same central part is embossed upwards to accommodate the head of this screw. As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the hooks 17, 18 have a first portion 63 61 for connecting to the plate, rising vertically, and an end portion 62 64 oriented forwards or backwards depending on the hook. The end portions of the hooks have a triangular profile, or more generally inclined slopes, such that when the axis of the shoe is not completely at the bottom of the groove, the lower slope pushes the axis towards the inside of the groove.Conversely, if the hook is not sufficiently advanced towards the bottom of the groove, the upper slope pushes the axle outwards when the hook closes, preventing jamming. This same upper slope is inclined in such a way as to facilitate donning the shoe by allowing the hook to retract during the process. When the user presses the axle of their shoe against this inclined upper slope, the hooks 17, 18 automatically pivot and release the groove entrance, allowing the shoe axle to descend to the bottom of the groove, until the hooks 17, 18 can return to their initial positions, covering the shoe axle and locking it in place at the bottom of the groove to secure the shoe.

[0043] In practice, the hooks 17,18 are transversely separated by a distance d, which is between 15mm and 30mm, preferably close to about 20mm.

[0044] Furthermore, the plate 52 also has two protrusions 56, 58 which extend transversely, to come into contact with the plate 2 and the base 3 of the fixing, in order to stiffen this plate 52 and to ensure rotation of the part 50 without deformation.

[0045] In the form illustrated in [Fig. 3], one of the hooks 18 has a rearward projection 59 designed to receive the support of a return spring visible in [Fig. 8] and which will be described later. The arm 30 of the part 50 is slightly offset on one side of the part relative to its median longitudinal plane, to allow its end 31 to remain accessible and not to protrude too far laterally when the arm 30 is pivoted about the vertical axis Z. As already mentioned, the arm 30 has its end 31 slightly raised relative to the main part of the arm, so as to be able to fit into the housing provided for this purpose in the operating member 20. The operation of the device is illustrated in Figures [Fig. 4] to [Fig. 7]. As illustrated in [Fig.4], the operating member 20 is located in the left half of the base 3 of the binding (looking from the top of the ski towards its tip), and the hooks 17,18 are in the engaged position, that is to say they prevent the axle from coming out of the groove. 15,16, as illustrated in [Fig.5]. In the engaged position of the hooks, the fixing is in the closed position;

[0046] When the operating member 20 is pivoted laterally, as illustrated in Figure [Fig. 6], the arm 30 is rotated and consequently, the entire part 30, in turn rotating the rotating plate 52 and, therefore, also the hooks 17, 18. These hooks 17, 18 thus end up in a retracted position where the grooves 15, 16 are freed, allowing the insertion (or expulsion) of the shoe axle. In the retracted position of the hooks, the binding is therefore in the open position.

[0047] As an indication, the rotation of the arm 30 allowing it to move from the engaged position to the retracted position corresponds to an angle of approximately 30° to 50°, preferably 40°.

[0048] Figure [Fig. 8] shows the return means that force the fastener back into an engaged or closed position. More specifically, the base 3 of the fastener has, on its underside, a housing 71 inside which a return spring 70 operating in compression is located. One end 72 of this spring 70 bears against a wall 73 of the housing 70 located on one lateral side of the fastener. On the other lateral side, the other end 74 of the spring 70 comes into contact with the portion 59 of the part 50. Thus, when the arm 30 is moved along arrow O, in the direction of opening the fastener, the spring 70 is compressed and the fastener is in the open position. When the user releases the arm 30, the spring 70 is released, causing the arm to rotate in the direction of arrow F, in the direction of closing the fastener, thereby closing the fastener.

[0049] Furthermore, the binding can be fitted automatically, without the need to manually operate the lever formed by the operating member 20 and the arm 30, since the hooks have fitting slopes 65, 66. Indeed, by pressing the boot axis downwards on these fitting slopes, the hooks 17, 18 are retracted and pivot around the Z axis, allowing the boot axis to descend vertically into the grooves 15, 16.

[0050] Figures [Fig. 9] to [Fig. 12] illustrate an improved embodiment of the invention, in which the movement of the arm 30 can be locked in a position where the grooves 17, 18 are closed, preventing the unexpected removal of the shoe axle. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure [Fig. 9], the lever 100 mounted at the end of the arm 30 has a portion 103, which is fitted onto the end 31 of the arm 30, with a certain latitude of movement conferred by the ability of the cleat 106 to move within the slot 105 provided in the end 31 of the arm 30.

[0051] Thus, when the fastener moves from the engaged configuration illustrated in [Fig. 10] to the open configuration of [Fig. 11], the operating member is translated to the right (when looking towards the front of the fastener), sliding between the front and rear of the recess 21. In doing so, the cleat 106 causes the arm 30 to rotate, and it shifts into the slot 105. The translation of the operating member is thus converted into rotation of the mechanism 50 carrying the hooks.

[0052] Additionally, this lower part 103 supports an upper part 101 which is able to slide longitudinally relative to the part 103, thanks to the slot 104 into which the lateral lug 108 is inserted. The upper part 101 of the part 100 can thus move back and forth, and it has a projection 102 positioned at the rear. This projection can fit into a recess 110 formed on the upper part of the fastener, on the periphery of the recess 21 within which the operating member 100 can move. In the position illustrated in Figure [Fig. 10], the part 101 is retracted, thus blocking the operating member 100 by preventing it from moving laterally. In this configuration, the arm 30 cannot move unexpectedly, and the binding is kept locked in the engaged position, preventing the boot axle from coming out of the binding.

[0053] In the configuration illustrated in Figure [Fig. 11], the part 110 has been moved forward, causing the protrusion 102 to come out of the housing 110, and thus allowing a lateral movement of the operating member 20. This movement causes the rotation of the part 50, and retracts the hooks 17,18, thus freeing the entrance of the grooves 15,16 and allowing the exit of the shoe axle entrance.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, a recess 115 may be provided to accommodate the protrusion 102 when the hooks are in the retracted position, if it is also desired to lock the fastening in this position.

[0055] Furthermore, we will not depart from the scope of the invention if the mechanism 50 is replaced by any other mechanism enabling the activation of organs analogous to the hooks 17, 18 by driving them in rotation, simultaneously.

[0056] It follows from the foregoing that the fastening according to the invention has a simplified mechanical design while allowing a significant range of motion of the hooks that hold the axis of the shoe, thus inducing a high level of

Claims

Demands

1. A binding (1) for cross-country skiing, intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting element located in the front part, said binding comprising a base including a receiving portion (15,16) configured to receive said connecting element, and a retaining element (17,18) movable between an engaged position in which it prevents the exit of said connecting element from the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow the insertion and removal of said connecting element into the receiving portion, characterized in that the retaining element is carried by a mechanism (50) allowing the rotation of said retaining element with respect to a vertical axis (Z).

2. Fastening according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining element is formed by two hooks each having an extremity portion extending in a horizontal plane.

3. Fastening according to claim 2, characterized in that the extreme portions of the two hooks are oriented in opposite directions.

4. Fixing according to claim 2, characterized in that the hooks (17,18) are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis (Z).

5. Fixing according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving portion is constituted by two grooves, the grooves being formed in walls (4) extending vertically and longitudinally.

6. Fixing according to claim 5, characterized in that the base has an internal recess within which a hook (18) moves when it passes from an engaged position to a retracted position.

7. Fixing according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (50) is connected to an operating member (20) whose movement causes the displacement of the retaining element from the engaged position to the retracted position.

8. Fixing according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanism (50) comprises a substantially horizontal plate (52), mounted movably in rotation about the axis Z on the base, said plate carrying the hooks (17,18).

9. A fastener according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate (52) comprises an arm (30) intended to be connected to the member of maneuver (20,100), the rotation of the arm and the plate (52) around said vertical axis (Z) causing the rotation of the hooks (17,18).

10. Fixing according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanism (50) comprises two fins (56,58) extending in the plane of the plate (52), symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation.

11. Fixing according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises return means (70) configured to exert a return force on the mechanism (50) forcing it to remain in an engaged position.

12. Fixing according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating member (20) is fixed on the end of the arm (30)

13. Fixing according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating member (100) is mounted movable in transverse translation relative to the base and cooperates mechanically with the end of the arm (30) so that its translation causes the rotation of the arm (30).

14. Fixing according to claim 8, characterized in that the arm extends towards the front of the fixing and the operating member is positioned on the front of the fixing.

15. Fixing according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating member (100) has locking means (102) allowing the arm (30) to be locked in a position where the hooks (17,18) are in the engaged position.

16. Fixing according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking means include a movable portion (101) in translation relative to the end of the arm (30), and capable of cooperating with an area of ​​the rest of the fixing to block the rotation of the arm.

17. Fastening according to claim 2, characterized in that the hooks (17,18) have in their upper part inclined ramps (65,66) which allow the hooks to be moved from the engaged position to the retracted position when the axis of the shoe exerts a downward force on these ramps, at the time of putting on the shoe.

18. A board equipped with a binding according to one of the preceding claims

19. A board according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a plate fixed to the upper surface of the board on which the position of the fixing is adjustable in longitudinal translation

Images