Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention concerns a means for
clamping an object at a predetermined clamping pressure,
which automatically releases the object when the clamping
pressure is exceeded by a predetermined value.
In the case of devices for clamping objects,
it is desirable that a predetermined clamping pressure
for holding the object in the clamping device should
not be substantially exceeded, so as not to damage or
destroy the clamped object. Moreover, the predetermined
clamping pressure should, in the case of the described
clamping device, be capable of simple adjustment and vane
lion, and the predetermined clamping pressure is dependent
on the clamped object, the material of which the latter
is made and an the measures to which the clamped object
is subjected. Furthermore, such a device should be easy to
readjust with respect to the clamping pressure, if the
dimensioning of the clamped object in the clamping device
should happen to change for some reason or other, for
instance due to the shrinkage of plastic material in the
case of a drop in temperature. It should be possible
to adjust quickly and simply the clamping pressure;
at the same time, the clamping pressure should be canceled
to release the clamped object immediately and reliably, if
the clamping pressure exceeds a defined value.
These objects arise in conjunction with lifts,
wraps or cowbells, paper processing units, plastic
processing units and particularly in the case of ski-
bindings.
According to the present invention there is
provided an automatic clamping and release mechanism
for clamping an object to a supporting means at a prude-
termined clamping pressure and which automatically
releases said object when a given clamping pressure is
exceeded by a predetermined value comprising:
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a first clamping means and an oppositely
disposed second clamping means, said first
clamping means being adapted to be fixed at
a desired location to said supporting means
relative to said second clamping means
by means of a set-screw;
said second clamping means comprising a housing
having a portion facing said first clamping
means and having a cylindrical core there through,
a telescopic spring-loaded piston pin movable
between locking and release positions and of
a diameter almost the same as said cylinder-
eel core, said piston pin having a tip which
passes through said cylindrical core to engage
said object to be clamped, pressure sensor
means arranged on said housing to indicate
the actual pressure applied to said object
to be clamped, said pressure sensor means
disposed in a first portion of said housing
in proximity with said tip of said piston
pin which detects the pressure on said second
clamping means and produces an electrical
signal indicative thereof, and an electron
magnetically operable mechanical locking means
disposed in proximity to said piston pin
in a second portion of said housing;
a circuit means connected to said pressure
sensing means to process the electrical
signal and, which actuates said electromagnet
tidally operable locking means to move said
piston pin between said locking position to
said release position when said predator-
mined pressure acts on said pressure sensor
means.
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Preferably, the locking means comprises at
least one locking element which in the locked position
simultaneously engages the inner wall of the housing
and the rear portion of the telescopic spring-loaded piston
pin and holds said portion of the telescopic spring-loaded
piston pin against the wall of the housing, and said
locking elements are movable perpendicular to the ion-
gitudinal axis of the supporting means.
Preferably, the locking means, when in the
locked position, cooperates with a bolt which is movable
in the longitudinal direction of the supporting means and
which comprises a control profile, by means of which
the locking means is directed either out of or into
the locking position, dependent on the direction of move-
mint of the bolt.
Preferably, the bolt cooperates with at least
one of an armature and plunger and is rigidly connected
thereto, and the plunger is disposed in a coil to the rear
of the spring-loading piston pin in the longitudinal
direction of the supporting means and is, spring mounted
in the longitudinal direction of the supporting means,
and said plunger moves the bolt between the locking and
releasing positions when, in answer to a corresponding
signal from the pressure sensors, electric current
is passed through the coil which is fed by a battery disposed
in the housing.
The invention will now be described in more
detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 11; in so doing, a ski-
binding will be described, as a preferred exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a cross-section
of the component of one exemplary embodiment example, in
which the clamping bearing, which is movable in the
direction of the opposite clamping bearing, is mounted;
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Fig. 2 is a schematic lateral view of the
embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic lateral view of an inane-
live automatic heel clamping and release device;
Fig. 4 is a further lateral view of a component
in accordance with Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-section of a plan
view of a component in accordance with Figs. 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. 5 in the release
phase of the component;
Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram for controlling the
release mechanism for releasing the clamped object;
Fig. 8 is a schematic longitudinal section
through the component in accordance with Fig. 5 with a
modified release mechanism;
Fig. 9 is a cross-section through a particular
embodiment example of the component in accordance with
Fig. 8 in the region of emergence of the spirng-loaded
piston pin out of the housing;
Fig. lo is a schematic partial view in cross-
section, and Fig. lo in longitudinal section of a par-
titular embodiment example of the locking mechanism;
and
Fig. if is a schematic longitudinal section
through a locking mechanism in the locked position,
and Fig. if is a similar view illustrating the release
position.
The embodiment examples of the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention as a ski-binding as
shown in the Figures represent only a preferred applique-
lion from which, however, other applications of the type
illustrated herein before can be derived without any
inventive step by an expert ordinary skilled in the art.
In Fig. 1 the object 1 to be clamped is a ski
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boot; the front holding means for the toe of the ski
boot, which is illustrated in the drawing as being adjust-
able, comprises a block 9 which is rigidly mounted on the
ski 6. An adjusting screw 2 for the purpose of adjusting
is arranged in the block 9. The adjusting screw 2 acts
on a bar 3 in the direction of the longitudinal axis
of the ski, and the bar 3 is moved dependent on the
rotational direction of the set-screw 2 towards or away
from the automatic heel clamping and release device.
In the perpendicular direction, the toe of the ski boot
is held by the component 5 which is mounted by means
of the screw 4 and which is vertically adjustable on
the bar 3. Centering rollers, bolts and/or clasp-shaped
members, which are known per so, which surround the
toe of the ski boot, are provided on the sides for laterally
holding the toe of the ski boot.
It is possible by means of the described
structure to move the ski boots as may be necessary
in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ski
by adjusting the set-screw 2 and appropriately shifting
the bar 3.
Fig. 2 schematically represents the present
invention in its exemplary embodiment as a ski-binding.
on addition to the component in accordance with Fig.
1, the housing 13 of the automatic heel clamping and
release device is arranged on the ski 6 in the rear
portion of the latter. A spring-loaded piston pin 18
in a spring-loaded piston pin housing is arranged in
the housing 13. The pressure, which is exerted on the
spring-loaded piston pin 18 by adjusting the adjusting
screw 2 above the ski boot 1, is indicated by the position
of the lever 15. This lever is arranged on an axle 16 which
forms an angle of approximately 90 with the spring-loaded piston pin 18 and
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which is driven directly by the latter via profiles which
are fitted to each other; the latter produce a horn-
zontal swing of the lever 15, depending on the load
of the spring-loaded piston pin 18, and marks are arranged
for instance on the axle 16 and on the housing 13 in
the region of the axle 16. The pressure acting on the
spring-loaded piston pin 18 can be read off from these
marks. If the clamping pressure for the ski boot, which
must be determined in the usual manner, is set at
+20 C., for example, this clamping pressure can be
read off from the mark in the region 16. Now if the
length of the ski boot 1 is reduced by a fall in temperature
to -lo&., for example, the set-screw 2 is adjusted to
move the ski boot 1 in the direction of the automatic
heel clamping and release device 13 until the same mark
adjustment is again attained, so that the predetermined
clamping pressure is set.
Fig. 3 shows a lateral view of an automatic
heel clamping and release device in accordance with
Fig. 2. This further includes an operating lever 22
which is known per so and which is connected via an
appropriately fitted profile with the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 in the upper region of the housing region
13. The system is pressure-released before clamping
the ski boot, i.e. the spring-loaded piston pin is at
position aye, the pointer lever is at position aye and
the operating lever is at position aye. When the system
is under pressure, the spring-loaded piston pin is at
position 18, the pointer lever is at position 15 and
the operating lever is at position 22. Otherwise, the
reference numerals correspond to those according to
Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows the automatic heel clamping
and release device in an overtrained position; by appear-
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privately adjusting the set-screw 2 in accordance with Fig.
1, the predetermined clamping pressure can be reset by
adjusting until the marks 16 coincide. The tip lo of
piston pin 18 engages an object lb to be clamped. The
tip lo of piston pin 18 is pressured in a direction
indicated by arrow to. A cylindrical core id, (Fig. 5)
passes through the housing 13, allowing piston pins 18 to
reciprocate. The tip lo passes through housing 13,
through opening le. The diameter of the piston pin 18
is almost the same as the cylindrical core. Otherwise the
reference numerals are the same as heretofore.
Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional representation
of the inventive automatic heel clamping and release device
parallel to the surface of the ski. In this case the
spriny-loaded piston 18 is embodied telescopically, in
which case the two parts of the telescopic spring-loaded
piston pin 18 are stayed against each other by means of
a spring 36 in the interior. At least one pin aye serves
as a safety device against the torsion of the spring-
loaded piston pin 18. In its front portion, the spring-
loaded piston pin 18 comprises a stepped shoulder 35 which
prevents the emergence of the spring-loaded piston
pin 18 out of the housing 13 beyond a determined amount.
In the region of the rear end of the spring-loaded piston
pin 18, locking rollers 38 are arranged in the housing
13, and these block the yielding of the rear part of the
telescopic spring-loaded piston pin 18, and the axle of
these locking rollers 38 is guided in lateral, perpendi-
cuter crank slots in the rear portion of the spring-
loaded piston pin 18. A bolt 39 is arranged in the end portion of the housing 13 which is movable in the direct
lion of the longitudinal axis of the ski. This bolt come
proses a cylindrical recess in which the cylindrical
rear end of the spring-loaded piston 18 can be held.
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When the bolt 39 is moved towards the tip of the ski,
the blocking caused by the locking rollers 38 is released
by means of the outer leading ramps on the locking bolt 39,
so that the rear portion of the telescopic spring-loaded
piston pin 18 can enter into the recess in the bolt
39, whereby the pressure of the spring-loaded piston pin
18 acting on the heel of the ski boot is practically can-
celled. Sensors 42 for electronically recording the
pressure are disposed in particular in the outlet opening
of the spring-loaded piston pin 18. In this case pus-
elements are preferably used which produce a certain volt
tare when a determined pressure is produced, and this
voltage unlocks the locking rollers 38 by means of electron
magnetic movement of the bolt 39 in the direction of the
tip of the ski when a determined limiting value, which
corresponds to the predetermined release pressure, is
reached. Photoelectric barriers or the like may also
be used instead of the pressure sensors. Photoelectric
barriers record, in a know manner, the shifting of the
spring-loaded piston pin 18 into the housing 13 at
increasing pressure and cause the unlocking of the piston
pin 18, inside the housing 13, the pressure release of
spring element 36 when a certain distance of the piston
pin, which is proportional to the increase in pressure,
is exceeded.
The unlocking mechanism comprises the bolt or
bar 39 which is connected with an armature or plunger 40,
the latter protruding through a coil 41. When the pressure
sensors or photoelectric barriers 42 produce the unlocking
signal at a predetermined release pressure acting on the
spring-loaded piston pin 18, a magnetic field is produced
in the magnet coil 41 by means of which the plunger 40
sets the bolt 39 in motion towards the tip of the ski,
thus unlocking the piston pin 18 and releasing the pressure
on the spring 36. The electromagnetic-electronic part of
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the device is fed by means of ordinary commercial electric
batteries 43. The control functions such that the signals
P, as shown in Fig. 7, from the pressure sensors or photo-
electric barriers 42 read in the appropriate values into
a converter. The converter can be programmed in steps in
advance with respect to certain values by means of micro-
switches 44. If necessary, the converter may also be
programmed in advance by means of a continuously adjustable
resistor.
Fig. 6 shows the inventive automatic heel
clamping and release device in accordance with Fig. 5 in
a further state of functioning. Whereas in Fig. 5 the
rear element of the telescopic spring-loaded piston
pin 18 is shown in the locked position, Fig. 6 shows
how this portion has entered the recess in the bar or bolt
39 provided for this purpose. Before this took place,
the locking mechanism was unlocked by means of the rollers
38 by the movement of the bar or bolt 39 in the direction
of the tip of the ski, and the rollers were pushed back
into their spring-loaded bearings supporting the rollers
by the leading profile on the bolt 39 in the region of
the rollers. The forward motion of the bolt 39 described
was, by way of example, triggered and caused in the
manner described by means of a pressure above the set
limiting value, exerted laterally on the tip of the spring-
loaded piston pin 18.
In -the region of the spring-loaded piston pin
18, the pressure sensors, preferably semi-conductors,
measuring tapes of puzzlements, are arranged on the piston
pin or on the adjacent housing 13 and produce a certain
voltage signal Pi when pressure acts on the spring-loaded
piston pin 18.
In accordance with Fig. 7 this voltage is divided
via the bleeder chain Al and R2. The voltage necessary
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for the release value is preferably picked up at R2.
The same voltage acts on a threshold switch V1 which
conducts an impulse to a switching amplifier V2 when a
certain input voltage is attained. This switching amply-
lien excites a coil Lo (coil 41 in accordance with Figs.
5 and 6) which builds up a magnetic field through which
the plunger 40 with the bolt 39 (in accordance with Figs.
S and 6) is moved, whereby the spring-loaded piston pin 18
is unlocked. The resistor R2 can be modified by means of
a potentiometer or a micro switch which place a multiple of
resistors in parallel as desired. In this way, the voltage
can be set in the case of a predetermined pressure
which prevents mechanical unlocking when the release pressure or
any higher pressure is applied for a period of less
than 1/10 second. The threshold switch is a circuit
which is known per so as a signal converter. The rest-
ration of the bolt 39 (Figs. 5 and 6) is carried out
outside the electronic circuit by means of a restoring
spring which is indicated in Fig. 5 for example, with
reference numeral 45.
In order to disconnect partially the energy
consumption, a limit switch 22b (Fig. 3) is provided,
which is automatically switched to position aye (Fig. 3)
by means of the opening lever when the clamping device is
in its initial position. If a pressure of approximately
50% of the release pressure acts on the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 in the direction of the longitudinal
axis of the ski, the opening lever 22 is raised until
the spring-loaded switch 22b is released and the electric
circuit is closed.
The pointer or lever 15 in accordance with
Figs. 2 and 3, which serves in conjunction with the
corresponding marks on the housing 13 as an indicator
for the pressure acting on the spring-loaded piston pin
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18, may preferably be embodied as a ski stopper. In this
case, the axis, around which the component 15 rotates, is
not arranged parallel to the surface of the ski, but at an
angle of approximately 40 to 50, preferably at an angle
of more than 45. In this manner, the pointer 15, which
is embodied as a stopper arm, can be caused to swivel
over the width of the ski when the spring 36 is under
pressure, thus not protruding laterally beyond the ski.
In the same way, a second pointer 15, which is embodied
as a stopper arm, can be arranged on the opposite side
of the housing 13.
Fig. 8 shows schematically a further unlocking
mechanism of the automatic heel clamping and release
device which otherwise corresponds to the automatic
heel clamping and release device in accordance with Figs.
5 and 6.
In this case, the locking of the rear portion
of the telescopic spring-loaded piston pin 18 is also carried
out by means of ball-shaped or roller-shaped locking eye-
mints aye which are arranged opposite each other within
this region.
when locking takes place, the locking elements
aye, which are suspended in the piston pin 18, are partially
pressed through corresponding openings in the wall of
the spring-loaded piston pin 18 into corresponding seats
or recesses in the adjacent housing wall, thus locking
the system so that the lower portion of the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 is locked with the housing 13.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 8 the
locking elements aye are held in the locking position
by means of the bar or bolt aye which protrudes through
the rear wall of the spring-loaded piston pin 18 into the
latter and between the locking elements aye. In this case,
the bar or bolt aye is embodied as a single unit with the
plunger 40 which is arranged in the coil 41 and which is
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set in motion in the manner described herein before.
The bolt aye, which is embodied in this case in the form
of a rod, is pointed at its front end, and the corresponding
sidewalls form a profile 63 on which the locking elements
aye roll on or off when locking or unlocking, respectively.
A spring element (not shown) is arranged
preferably between the rear wall of the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 and the coil 141. This spring element
restores the rear portion of the spring-loaded piston
pin 18 to its initial position for locking when the system
is unlocked and when the front portion of the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 is completely relieved of pressure.
The bolt aye preferably extends through and beyond
the rear wall of the housing 13, such that, on the one
hand, the locking procedure can be carried out manually
and, on the other hand, one can visually check whether
the spring-loaded piston pin 18 is locked or not.
A mounting opening for the component of the
automatic heel clamping and release device, arranged in
the interior of the housing 13, is provided in the housing
13, and this opening can be closed by means of a screw
plug 53. In this way, the inside of the automatic
heel clamping and release device is easily accessible
and the penetration of dirt and water into the housing is
prevented at the same time. Moreover, this also makes
manipulation of the adjustment of the binding by others
difficult.
Fig. 9 shows schematically a cross-section
through the portion of an inventive heel clamping and
release device in which the front portion of the spring-
loaded piston pin 18 protrudes out of the housing 13.
In this embodiment example, the pressure is recorded by only
one electric semi-conductor aye on which the pressure,
which is exerted by the ski boot 1 at the tip of the
spring-loaded piston pin 18 by twisting or the like of
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the ski boot l in the binding. The twisting is trays-
milted via a crank 83, covering approximately 180 of the
front portion of the spring-loaded piston pin 18. An
adjustable screw 85 serves as a seat for the pressure
recording semiconductor aye.
It is preferred to arrange two cranks in a V
shape in the outlet opening of the spring-loaded piston
pin protruding out of tithe housing. This crank covers
the spring-loaded piston pin over a range of approximately
lo 90 in each case, and each of which abuts a flat-shaped
pressure sensor. Finally, circular or semi-circular
sensors may be used in analogous application.
Fig. lo is a schematic cross-sectional drawing,
and Fig. lo is a schematic longitudinal sectional
drawing of an inventive locking mechanism. In this
case, the two locking rollers 238 and an intermediate
guide roller 70 with a smaller diameter are pivoted
on a mutual axle 75. The axle 75 is arranged parallel to the
surface of the ski and at right angles to the longitudinal
axis of the ski in the rear portion of the piston pin 18.
The two ends of the axle 75 are mounted in slots 200 as
shown in Fig. lo in the sidewalls of the rear portion
of the piston pin 18. The slots extend perpendicular to
the surface of the ski so that in this direction the axle
75, the locking rollers 238 and the guide roller 70 are
movably mounted. The front end of the bolt 39 forms a
control profile which contacts guide roller 70. A bearing
roller 74 serves as a seat for the bolt 39, so that
the bolt 139 is mounted between the bearing roller 74 and
the guide roller 70. The profile of bolt 39 operates such
that upon motion of the bolt 139 in the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the ski, the axle 75 with the locking
rollers 238 is pressed along the surface of the guide
roller 70 through the corresponding openings in the
piston pin wall and housing wall, thus locking the
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system (Fig. lob). The system, is unlocked when the bolt
39 is moved in the opposite direction.
Fig, if and Fig. if are schematic
drawings of a further embodiment of the present invention
in the locking and release positions, respectively.
Whereas in the case of the embodiment example
in accordance with Fig. 8 unlocking was carried out by means
of the control profile 63 directly on the bolt 139,
this control profile is mounted on a separate component
95 in accordance with this embodiment. This component 95
is movably attached in the rear portion of the spring-loaded
piston pin 18 in the longitudinal direction of the auto-
matte heel clamping and release device. This component
95, which holds the locking rollers 238 in the locking
position, operates in principle in the same manner as in
Fig. 8, and is driven out of the locking position into the release position
towards the tip of the ski when the release signal
is produced by the bolt 139 (or plunger 40), 140 which
is in this case is in the shape of a pin. The free travel
of the striking pin-type bolt 139 is indicated by reference
numeral 94. By appropriate spring mounting of the component
95 and/or of the locking rollers 238, the latter are
restored to their initial position for locking when the
spring-mounted piston pin 18 is completely relieved
of pressure,
The inventive means in its various embodiment
examples is adjusted such that at normal temperature, for
instance in a ski articles store, the binding is set
in the known manner to an appropriate release value,
dependent on the physical data of the skier and the ski
boot material used. The electronic release is set at
a somewhat lower value so that if the electronic control
should happen to fail, the binding will open in the con-
ventional manner at a somewhat higher pressure. In this
way, a maximum of safety is ensured.
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