Heel piece for ski touring with release mechanism

Abstract

Heel piece (1) for fixing, comprising: - a base (2) for fixing to a ski, - a binding body (3) comprising a fixing element (4) having two parallel arms (41), the heel piece (1) having a retaining rocker (5) for the arms (41), said retaining rocker (5) having a first end (51) in contact with the arms (41) of the fixing element (4) and a second end (52) opposite the first end (51) with respect to the rocker axis (50), said first end (51) having two housings (522) inside each of which passes an arm (41), said housings (522) having an internal lateral wall (523) inclined outwards so that a separation of the first portions (411) of the arms (41) from each other causes a rocker of the retaining rocker (5),the heel piece (1) also comprising an elastic retaining means (6) configured to oppose the tilting of the retaining lever (5). Abbreviated figure: fig 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Heel piece for ski touring with release device

[0001] The invention relates to the field of ski bindings and more particularly to the heel pieces of ski bindings for the practice of ski touring, equipped with a release device so as to allow release in the event of excessive stress.

[0002] Skis, and touring skis in particular, generally include a release mechanism to allow the bindings to release in the event of a fall, for example. Such a release helps to limit the risk of injury. In ski touring, and especially in downhill mode, such a release mechanism is located on the heel piece of the ski binding.

[0003] The practice of ski touring favors the use of the lightest possible equipment. This need becomes even more important for competitive ski touring, for which the presence of a release device is recommended but must also allow for the lightest possible binding.

[0004] One of the aims of the present invention is to resolve at least partially the disadvantages of the prior art and to propose a heel piece with an improved release device.

[0005] The present invention therefore relates to a heel binding for ski touring, comprising: - a ski mounting base, - a binding body connected to the base and comprising a binding element configured to attach to a shoe, the binding element comprising two parallel arms, the first portion of which extends longitudinally and protrudes forward from the binding body, the heel piece comprising a retaining rocker for the first portions of the legs, said retaining rocker being connected to the fixing body by a transverse rocker axis, said retaining rocker comprising a first end in contact with the first portions of the legs of the fixing element and a second end opposite to the first end with respect to the rocker axis, said first end comprising two housings inside each of which passes a first portion of the legs of the fixing element, said housings having an internal lateral wall inclined outwards such that a separation of the first portions of the arms from each other causes the retaining lever to tilt around its tilting axis, the heel piece also comprising an elastic retaining means having a first end bearing on the body of the fixing or the fixing support, and a second end, opposite to the first end, bearing on the second end of the retaining rocker, said elastic retaining means being configured to exert a force against the second end of the retaining rocker so as to oppose the rocker's tilting when the first portions of the branches are separated from each other.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the openings of the housings of the retaining rocker are oriented with respect to the base, the first end of the retaining rocker covering at least partially the first portions of the arms of the fixing element.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the fastening body comprises a device for adjusting the longitudinal position of the elastic retaining means, the fastening body comprising: - a longitudinal rail positioned opposite the second end of the retaining lever, - a trolley movable longitudinally along said longitudinal rail, and - a means for positioning and retaining said trolley along the longitudinal rail, the second end of the elastic retaining means being disposed on said trolley.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the fastening body comprises a device for adjusting the compression of the elastic retaining means, the fastening body comprising: - a vertical housing in which the elastic retaining means is disposed, - an adjusting screw whose head passes through the second end of the retaining rocker and whose threaded rod end is fixed relative to the vertical housing of the fixing body, the second end of the elastic retaining means bearing against a nut disposed within the vertical housing and movable in translation along the adjusting screw by actuation of said adjusting screw.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the base comprises a mounting bracket having a base, fixed to the base, and a cylindrical vertical stud, the mounting body having a cylindrical housing for inserting said mounting body onto the vertical stud of the mounting bracket, said mounting body being fixed to the vertical stud so as to be rotationally free about said vertical stud and fixed in translation along said vertical stud, said heel piece having a lateral release device, said lateral release device having an elastic pressure means disposed in a housing of the mounting body, said housing being open opposite the support of fastening, said elastic pressure means having a first end protruding from the opening of the housing and bearing on a ball, said ball being housed in a concave cavity provided on the fastening support.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic pressure means and the housing of the fixing body are arranged vertically and in that the concave cavity is provided on the base of the fixing support.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic pressure means of the lateral triggering device and the elastic retention means of the front triggering device are arranged coaxially around each other.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic pressure means and the housing of the fixing body are arranged horizontally and the concave cavity is provided on the vertical stud of the fixing support.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the base of the fixing support has a sliding connection with the base so as to have a longitudinally adjustable position relative to the base.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a heel piece according to a first embodiment,

[0016] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic side and cross-sectional representation of the heel piece of the [Fig.l],

[0017] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic perspective representation of a support vertical according to a first embodiment,

[0018] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a schematic perspective representation of a part of restraint,

[0019] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective representation of the heel piece of the [Fig. 1] during a frontal triggering,

[0020] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a schematic side and cross-sectional representation of the heel piece of the [Fig.1] during a frontal release,

[0021] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a schematic side and cross-sectional representation of a heel piece according to a second embodiment,

[0022] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a schematic side and cross-sectional representation of a heel piece according to a third embodiment,

[0023] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a schematic representation of the top of a heel piece during from a lateral triggering,

[0024] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a schematic rear and cross-sectional representation of a heel piece during lateral release,

[0025] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is a schematic perspective representation of a support vertical according to a second embodiment.

[0026] In the various figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers. The following embodiments are examples.

[0027] In this description, certain elements or parameters can be indexed, such as first element or second element, first parameter and second parameter, first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is simply a matter of indexing to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements, parameters, or criteria. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element, parameter, or criterion over another, and such designations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of this description.

[0028] In this description, "front" means an element configured to be positioned as close as possible to the front part of the ski, as close as possible to the toe of a ski boot, or as close as possible to the front toe piece of a ski binding when the ski boot is mounted on the binding. Conversely, "rear" means an element configured to be positioned as close as possible to the rear part of the ski, as close as possible to the heel of a ski boot, or as close as possible to the heel piece of a ski binding when the ski boot is mounted on the binding. "Top" or "upper" also means an element configured to be positioned opposite the lower part of the ski, also called the base, which is configured to make contact with the snow-covered ground.

[0029] The various figures represent a trihedral XYZ in which the arrow X corresponds to a longitudinal direction pointing forward of the heel piece 1, configured to be parallel to the axis of the ski. The arrow Z corresponds to a vertical direction pointing upwards and the arrow Y corresponds to a lateral direction of the heel piece 1, intended to be transverse to the ski when the heel piece 1 is mounted on the ski.

[0030] The heel piece 1 is configured to be fixed to a ski (not shown), associated with a front binding, not shown, to form a ski binding.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the heel piece 1 has a base 2 for attaching it to a ski (not shown). The base 2 has a flat lower face configured to contact the upper face of a ski. The base 2 may thus have one or more bores 22 oriented along the vertical direction Z. This bore 22 is specifically configured to receive a screw for attaching the base 2, and therefore the heel piece 1, to the ski.

[0032] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the base 2 includes a mounting bracket 21. The mounting bracket 21 includes, in particular, a cylindrical vertical stud 212. This vertical cylindrical block 212 is projecting upwards in the vertical direction Z relative to the base 2. The vertical cylindrical block 212 includes, in particular, a cylindrical section extending in the vertical direction Z. [Fig.3] shows in more detail an isolated fixing support 21.

[0033] The mounting bracket 21 may, in particular, include a base 214 having a sliding connection with the base 2 so as to have an adjustable position longitudinally relative to the base 2. The base 2 may thus include a longitudinal slide 23, and the base 214 of the mounting bracket 21 may cooperate with said longitudinal slide 23. Clamping means may also be provided for fixing the mounting bracket 21 in the desired position along this longitudinal slide 23. For example, holes 215 may be provided in the base 214 through which screws or bolts can pass to cooperate with the base 2.

[0034] A fixing body 3 is disposed on the vertical cylindrical stud 212 of the fixing support 21. The fixing body 3 is thus positioned elevated relative to the base 2. The fixing body 3 includes, in particular, a fixing element 4 configured to attach to a shoe. The fixing body 3 also includes a vertical cylindrical recess 31 so as to allow the insertion of the fixing body 3 onto the vertical cylindrical stud 212. More specifically, the cylindrical section of the vertical cylindrical stud 212 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 31 of the fixing body 3.

[0035] In order to fix the fixing body 3 to the fixing support 21, the fixing body 3 may, in particular, include a through bore 33, oriented along the Y direction. The fixing body 3 is secured to the vertical support 21 by means of a pin (not shown), housed in the bore 33 and engaging with a groove 213 formed on the cylindrical vertical stud 212. This groove 213 may, in particular, extend into the upper part of the cylindrical vertical stud 212 in a plane parallel to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions. This makes it possible to hold the fixing body 3 on the vertical support 21 while limiting its translational movements along the vertical Z direction and allowing its rotation around the cylindrical vertical stud 212 of the fixing support 21 (around the vertical Z direction).

[0036] The fastening element 4 more particularly comprises two parallel arms 41, a first portion 411 of which extends longitudinally and projects forward from the fastening body 3. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a second portion 412 of the arms 41, opposite the first portion 411, extends vertically within the fastening body (3) so that said arms 41 have a general "L" shape and are free to rotate about the axis formed by their second portion 412. It is, however, entirely possible to imagine other embodiments of the fastening element 4, such as, for example, comprising a second curved portion connecting the first portions 411 to each other so that the fixing element 4 has a general "U" shape.

[0037] According to figures 1 and 2, the heel piece 1 also includes a retaining rocker 5 for the first portions 411 of the branches 41. This retaining rocker 5 is connected to the fixing body 3 by a transverse rocker axis 50, i.e. along the transverse axis Y.

[0038] As illustrated in more detail in [Fig. 4], the retaining lever 5 extends longitudinally, that is, along the longitudinal axis X. The retaining lever 5 has a first end 51 in contact with the first portions 411 of the arms 41 of the fastening element 4 and a second end 52, opposite the first end 51 with respect to the tilting axis 50. The first end 51 has two recesses 522, inside each of which passes a first portion 411 of the arms 41 of the fastening element 4. These recesses 522 have an internal lateral wall 523 inclined outwards such that a separation of the first portions 411 of the arms 41 from each other causes the retaining lever 5 to tilt about its tilting axis 50.

[0039] The openings of the housings 522 of the retaining lever 5 can in particular be oriented with regard to the base 2. The first end 51 of the retaining lever 5 thus covers at least partially the first portions 411 of the arms 41 of the fixing element 4. The retaining lever 5 is then arranged on the upper part of the fixing body 3 and the heel piece 1.

[0040] The heel piece 1 also includes an elastic retaining means 6 having a first end bearing on the fixing body 3 or on the fixing support 21, and a second end, opposite to the first end, bearing on the second end 52 of the retaining rocker 5. This elastic retaining means 6 is configured to exert a force against the second end 52 of the retaining rocker 5 so as to oppose the rocker 5 tilting when the first portions 411 of the arms 41 are separated from each other.

[0041] The elastic retaining means 6 may in particular be a spring, more particularly a helical spring.

[0042] The retaining lever 5 and the elastic retaining means 6 thus form a frontal release system. A frontal release is, in particular, a release due to a violent upward movement of the shoe's heel, caused, for example, by a fall forward. This frontal release is achieved by the transverse separation of the arms 41 from each other, which causes the shoe to detach from the heel piece 1. Only the resistance to separation of the fastening element 4 itself allows control of the frontal release force. In the present case, this resistance to separation of the arms 41 of the element The fixing 4 is achieved by the elastic retaining means 6 which counteracts the tilting of the retaining rocker 5, as illustrated in figures 5 and 6.

[0043] The heel piece 1 may also include a system for adjusting the force required for a frontal release.

[0044] According to a first embodiment of this adjustment system illustrated in [Fig.7], the fixing body 3 may include a device for adjusting the longitudinal position of the elastic retaining means 6. According to this first embodiment, the fixing body 3 may thus include a longitudinal rail 61 disposed opposite the second end 52 of the retaining rocker 5. By longitudinal, it is understood that this rail extends along the longitudinal axis X, parallel to the second end 52 of the retaining rocker 5.

[0045] The fixing body 3 also includes a carriage 62 movable longitudinally along said longitudinal rail 61. The fixing body 3 further includes a positioning and retaining means 63 for said carriage 62 along the longitudinal rail 61. This positioning and retaining means may in particular be a screw 63 along which the carriage 62 can translate according to the direction of rotation exerted on said screw.

[0046] The second end of the elastic retaining means 6 is located on said carriage 61. Thus, it is possible to adjust the distance between the elastic retaining means 6 and the tilting axis 50. Adjusting this distance allows the lever arm of the retaining rocker 5 to be adjusted and thus its resistance to tilting.

[0047] According to a second embodiment of this adjustment system illustrated in [Fig. 8], the fastening body 3 includes a compression adjustment device for the elastic retaining means 6. The fastening body 3 may then include a vertical housing 61' in which the elastic retaining means 6 is disposed. This vertical housing 61' is located opposite the second portion 52 of the retaining lever 5. The fastening body 3 may also include an adjusting screw 63' whose head passes through the second end 52 of the retaining lever 5 and whose threaded rod end is fixed relative to the vertical housing 61' of the fastening body 3. The second end of the elastic retaining means 6 then bears against a nut 64 disposed within the vertical housing 61'. This nut 64 is movable in translation along the adjusting screw 63' by actuating said adjusting screw 63'.

[0048] Thus, by operating the adjustment screw 63', it is possible to adjust the compression of the elastic retaining means 6 and therefore to adjust the resistance to tipping of the retaining rocker 5.

[0049] The heel piece 1 may also include a lateral release system. Lateral release occurs when the boot or ski is subjected to a lateral force along the lateral axis Y. If this lateral force exceeds the resistance of the lateral release device, then the binding body 3 rotates around the block vertical cylindrical 215 up to an angle in which the shoe separates from the fastening element 4. Such a lateral triggering is illustrated in particular in figures 9 and 10.

[0050] The lateral triggering device may in particular include an elastic pressure means 7 disposed in a housing 72 of the fixing body 3. This housing 72 is open opposite the fixing support 21 such that a first end of the elastic pressure means 7 protrudes from the opening of the housing 72. This first end of the elastic pressure means 7 is in particular supported by a ball 71. This ball 71 is housed in a concave cavity 216 formed on the fixing support 21.

[0051] The elastic pressure means 7 may in particular be a spring, more particularly a helical spring.

[0052] According to a first embodiment of this lateral triggering device illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 6 and 10, the elastic pressure means 7 and the housing 72 of the fixing body 3 are arranged vertically. The concave cavity 216 is then provided on the base 211 of the fixing support 21.

[0053] According to this first embodiment, the elastic pressure means 7 of the lateral triggering device and the elastic retention means 6 of the frontal triggering device can be arranged coaxially around each other.

[0054] According to this first embodiment of the lateral triggering device, the vertical elastic pressure means 7 can also be translationally movable with the carriage 61 of the first embodiment of the adjustment system. According to this alternative, the concave cavity 216 is a longitudinal groove in which the ball 71 can translate.

[0055] According to a second embodiment of the lateral release device illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 11, the elastic pressure means 7 and the housing 72 of the fixing body 3 can be arranged horizontally. The concave cavity 216 is then provided on the vertical stud 212 of the fixing support 21.

[0056] This second embodiment of the lateral release device is particularly advantageous when the heel piece 1 has a system for adjusting the force required for the front release, as illustrated in figures 7 and 8. Indeed, the lateral release device can thus be arranged on a lower part of the binding body 3 and the front release device can be arranged on a higher part of the binding body 3, above the front release device.

[0057] Thus, it is clear that the heel piece, due to its simple structure, allows for front release for safety, while limiting the increase in its weight due to the presence of a release device.

Claims

Demands

1. A heel piece (1) for ski touring, comprising: - a base (2) for attaching to a ski, - a binding body (3) connected to the base (2) and comprising a binding element (4) configured to attach to a boot, the binding element (4) having two parallel arms (41), a first portion (411) of which extends longitudinally and projects forward from the binding body (3), characterized in that the heel piece (1) has a retaining lever (5) for the first portions (411) of the arms (41), said retaining lever (5) being connected to the binding body (3) by a transverse pivot axis (50), said retaining lever (5) having a first end (51) in contact with the first portions (411) of the arms (41) of the binding element (4) and a second end (52) opposite the first end (51) with respect to the tilting axis (50),said first end (51) having two housings (522) inside each of which passes a first portion (411) of the arms (41) of the fastening element (4), said housings (522) having an internal lateral wall (523) inclined outwards such that a separation of the first portions (411) of the arms (41) from each other causes the retaining rocker (5) to tilt about its tilting axis (50), the heel piece (1) also having an elastic retaining means (6) having a first end bearing on the fastening body (3) or the fastening support (21), and a second end, opposite the first end, bearing on the second end (52) of the retaining rocker (5),said elastic retaining means (6) being configured to exert a force against the second end (52) of the retaining toggle (5) so as to oppose the tilting of the retaining toggle (5) when the first portions (411) of the arms (41) are separated from each other.

2. Heel piece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the openings of the housings (522) of the retaining lever (5) are oriented towards the base (2), the first end (51) of the retaining rocker (5) covering at least partially the first portions (411) of the arms (41) of the fixing element (4).

3. Heel piece (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing body (3) comprises a device for adjusting the longitudinal position of the elastic retaining means (6), the fixing body (3) comprising: - a longitudinal rail (61) disposed opposite the second end (52) of the retaining rocker (5), - a carriage (62) movable longitudinally along said longitudinal rail (61), and - a means for positioning and holding said carriage (62) along the longitudinal rail (61), the second end of the elastic retaining means (6) being disposed on said carriage (61).

4. Heel piece (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing body (3) comprises a device for adjusting the compression of the elastic retaining means (6), the fixing body (3) comprising: - a vertical housing (61') in which the elastic retaining means (6) is disposed, - an adjusting screw (63') the head of which passes through the second end (52) of the retaining rocker (5) and the end of whose threaded rod is fixed relative to the vertical housing (61') of the fixing body (3), the second end of the elastic retaining means (6) bearing against a nut (64) disposed within the vertical housing (61') and movable in translation along the adjusting screw (63') by actuation of said adjusting screw (63').

5. Heel piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a fixing support (21) comprising a base (214), fixed to the base (2), and a cylindrical vertical stud (212), the fixing body (3) comprising a cylindrical housing (31) so as to insert said fixing body (3) onto the vertical stud (212) of the fixing support (21), said fixing body (3) being fixed to the vertical stud (212) so as to be mobile in rotation around said vertical stud (212) and fixed in translation along said vertical stud (212), said heel piece (1) having a lateral release device, said lateral release device having an elastic pressure means (7) disposed in a housing (72) of the fixing body (3), said housing (72) being open opposite the fixing support (21), said elastic pressure means (7) having a first end projecting from the opening of the housing (72) and bearing on a ball (71), said ball (71) being housed in a concave cavity (216) provided on the fixing support (21).

6. Heel piece according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic pressure means (7) and the housing (72) of the fixing body (3) are arranged vertically and in that the concave cavity (216) is provided on the base (211) of the fixing support (21).

7. Heel piece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastic pressure means (7) of the lateral release device and the elastic retention means (6) of the front release device are arranged coaxially around each other.

8. Heel piece according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic pressure means (7) and the housing (72) of the fixing body (3) are arranged horizontally and in that the concave cavity (216) is provided on the vertical stud (212) of the fixing support (21).

9. Heel piece (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the base (214) of the fixing support (21) has a sliding connection with the base (2) so as to have a longitudinally adjustable position relative to the base (2).