Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a ski binding and
more particularly to a ski binding intended for use in cross-
country skiing, which may variously be referred to as long-distance
skiing, langlauf skiing or Nordic skiing. For the sake of simplicity
herein, the term cross-country skiing will generally be used.
In a known form of cross-country ski binding, the binding
comprises a holder which is arranged to be secured to the top surface
of a ski by any suitable means such as screws. The holder has a
retaining member in the form of a loop member which defines a space into
which can be inserted the front end part of a forward extension portion
formed on the front end of a sole of a ski boot. The loop member thus
engages around and over the forward extension portion of the sole.
The holder further canprises a latching element which engages over
the loop member. The latching element is in the form of a clasp
or clamp member which is provided at its rearward end, that is to say,
the end which is at the rear thereof as considered in the direction of
a ski or a boot fitted thereto, with a hook element arranged to engage
in the clamping position both behind the rearward edge of the loop
member of the holder and also behind a rearwardly facing shoulder
formed on the front extension portion on the sole of the boot. Mounted
at the front end of the clamp member at the two longitudinal sides
thereof are respective guide rollers which can each roll against a
respectively associated guide cam portion in such a way that the clamp
member can be moved up and down approximately about the hook element
as the pivot point. The guide cam portion has two detent recesses
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into which the guide rollers are engaged by a tension spring engaging
the clamp member. The retaining recesses comprise an upper recess
which defines the release position of the clamp member and a lower
recess which defines the clarnping position of the clarnp men~r. In the
clamping position of the arrangenment, the hook element on the clamp
men~er is held behind and below the upwardly inclinedly bent rearward
edge portion of the loop member of the holder.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the above-described
cross-country ski binding comprises a substantial number of individual
components and is therefore expensive to produce and assemble, thereby
increasing the cost thereof. There is also the danger that the co-
operation between the individual components of the assembly (for example
the guide rollers on the guide cam portion or the tension spring which
loads the clamp member) may be adversely affected by snow, dirt or
other matter which clogs the assembly in use thereof, thereby preventing
it from properly functioning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A-n object of the present invention is to provide a cross-country
ski binding which ls of a simpler construction and which is less
susceptible to trouble in use thereof.
~nother object of the present invention is to provide a cross-
country ski binding which involves only a relatively small number of
individual components, thereby to reduce the danger of the ski binding
becoming inoperative due to wear or fouling of components thereof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
cross-country ski binding which is of readily available and readily
workable material at least in regard to the major components thereof,
thereby to simplify and reduce the cost of production and assembly.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a ski binding which has enhanced security in respect of fixing a ski
boot to a ski, while providing for a satisfactory safety release
action.
According to the present invention, these and other objects are
achieved by means of a cross-country ski binding having a holder
which is provided with a retaining member in the form of a loop
member, for accommodating a front extension portion on the sole of
a ski ~oot or like article of footwear, and also including a
latching or locking element in the form of a clasp or member which
is displaceable relative to the retaining member. In the boot-
clamping position of the ski binding, the clamp member engages with
a hook portion thereof behind the retaining member and also behind
a shoulder configuration provided on the front extension portion of the
sole of the ski boot. The clamp me~ber also has a guide surface which faces
towards the hook portion on the clamp member and which is formed
at a spacing from the hook portion, which is less than or equal to
the spacing, as measured in the longitudinal direction of the
ski, between the rearward edge of the retaining member and an edge
of the holder, which is disposed forwardly of said rearward edge
of the retaining member and substantially parallel thereto. The guide
surface leads into a recess or cut-out portion fonmed in the clamp
member between the guide surface and the hook portion and adapted to
accommodate the retaining member of the holder. The clamp member,
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at least in the region between the hook portion thereof and the
guide surface, comprises a resilien-tly deformable material. The clamp
member also includes a projection or extension portion which
projects forwardly beyond the above-mentioned guide surface and which
has a support surface forming a support means for bearing against
the top surface of the ski, in the clamping position of the binding.
The cross-country ski binding according to the invention as
set forth above comprises only two major components, namely the
holder which carries the retaining element, and the clamp member or
clasp. The clamp member comprises a material which is strong but which
is capable of resilient bending deformation, for example polyamlde or
polyurethane, the resilient bendibility of which is sufficient to
allow the clamp member to come into a snap-fit engagement with the
holder, utilising the guide action of the above-mentioned guide surface,
in such a way that the hook portion engages around the rearward edge
of the retaining member, and the forward surface defining the above-
mentioned recess into which the guide surface leads engages around
the edge of the holder which is disposed forwardly of the rearward
edge of the retaining member and substantially parallel thereto. In
that position of the assembly, the forward extension portion of the
clamp member bears against the top surface of the ski, for example
by way of a ski binding base plate which extends forwardly from the
holder, and thereby defines the position of contact of the rearward
edge of the retaining member and the further edge disposed forwardly
thereof, against the respectively associated surfaces of the clamp
member, in the clamping position of the binding. By lifting the forward
extension portion of the clamp member, the latter can be rnoved into a
release position, with the clamp member pivoting substantially about
the point of contact between the rearward edge of the retaining member
and the inside surface portion of the hook portion, while the forward
inside surface portion of the above-mentioned recess formed in the cL~mp
member slides along the forward edge of the holder, with the clamp
member resiliently flexing at the same time, until the clamp member
dlsengages from the above-mentioned forward edge on the holder, thereby
to permit the forward extension portion on the sole of the boot to be
disengaged from the retaining member. The clamp member, by virtue of
the above-indicated configuration, thus combines a holding function, a
guide function and a detent or retaining function.
Because the above-indicated mode of actuation of the ski binding
only xequires a relative movement between the clamp member and the above-
mentioned edges with which it co-operates in the clamping posikion,
but because there are no other movable ccmponents, and because, in the
clamping position of the ski binding, the fact that the clamp member
engages around the rearward edge of the retaining member and the further
edge disposed forwardly thereof means that the assemblv forms a closed
space which is therefore not accessible from the exterior, there is
at least substantially no possibility of snow and dirt thus penetrating
into the assembly, and thereby adversely affecting -the proper mode of
operation of the binding.
In an advantageous feature of the invention, the edge on the
holder which is disposed forwardly of and parallel to the rearward edge
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of the retaining loop member and which comes into contact with the recess
in the clamp member in the clamping position thereof is constituted
by a forward edge on the retaining loop member so that the width of the
retaining member is the dimension which determines the spacing between
the hook portion of the clamp member and the guide surface thereof.
For the above-described mode of operation of the binding, there
is in principle no need for the clamp member and the holder to be
held together, in the release position of the binding. However7 in
order to avoid the clamp member having to be used and handled as a
loose component whicll is therefore separate from the holder, an
advantageous feature of the invention provides that the holder has,
on both sides of the retaining member, side wall portions which extend
forwardly, in relation to the lengthwise direction of a ski to which the
binding is secured, with the clamp member being movably fixed to the side
wall portions. However, that fixing does not need to carry any loading
of substance, but is only provided to prevent the clamp member or
clasp from unintentionally coming loose from the holder, in the release
position of the binding. lt is therefore possible for the clamp member
and the side wall portions to be of such a nature that they can be
engaged together and easily released from each other, in the manner
of a resilient snap connection. That also makes it possible to
replace the clamp member, if so required.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the
ski binding of the present invention also performs the function of
a safety binding, that is to say, it provides for automatic release
of the clamp member from the holder in the event of the foot being
excessively raised and bent for~ardly. For that purpose, provided on the
hook portion of the clamp member is a lever surface which projects rear-
wardly of -the assembly and which, under normal conditions of use of the
assembly, remains out of contact with the top surface of the forward
extension portion on the sole of the ski boot. If however the skier
falls forwardly and in so doing bends his foot excessively upwardly and
forwardly, then the top of the front extension portion on the sole of
the ski boot bears against the lever surface and thereby produces a
turning moment at the clamp member,which acts in the direction of
releasing the hook portion thereof out of its position of engagement with
the rearward edge of the retaining loop member. As the support surface
on the extension portion of the clamp member bears against the top
surface of the ski, the above-mentioned turning moment of the clamp
member results in resilient bending defonnation of the portion of the
clamp member which engages around the retaining loop member so that,
depending on the magnitude of the turning moment applied to the clamp
member, it will be caused to snap out of engagement with the retaining
member.
Another development of the basic principles of the present
invention provides that the support surface on the extension portion of
the clamp member or clasp is fonned by a member or element which is
adjustable in respect of height, thereby to permit adjustment of the
binding release force.More specifically, heightwise adjustment of the
above~mentioned element or member on the extension portion of the
clamp member causes the position in which the edges of the retaining
member bear against the clamp member in the clamping position of the
assembly to be altered so that the distance which has to be covered
by the clamp member for releasing the binding is reduced or increased.
Other objects, features and advantages of a ski binding in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention will become
apparent frcm the following description of a preferred embodiment
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF rrHE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a side view in partial cross-section of a ski
binding according to the invention, with the clamp member or clasp
in the clamping position,
Figure 2 shows a view in section taken along line II-II in Figure
3, through the holder of the ski binding illustrated in Figure 1,
Figure 3 shows a plan view of the holder shown in Figure 2,
Figures 4 and 5 show a plan view and a view from below of the clamp
member of the ski binding illustrated in Figure 1,
Figure 6 shows a partly sectional side view of the ski binding
showing the clamp member in a position directly before it is snapped
into the clamping position, and
Figure 7 is a side view similar to that shown in Figure 6, showing
the clamp me~ber in the release position, for example after automatic
safety release thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE P~EFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring firstly to Figures 1, 6 and 7, the ski binding construction
illustrated therein comprises only two components which are movable
relative to each other, namely, a holder 2 which can be secured to
the top surface 1 of a ski by any suitable means, such as screws,
and a clasp or clamp member 3 which, in the illustrat~d e3nbçdi~ent,
is movably fixed to the holder 2. The holder 2 r"hich c~mprises a
suitable material such as metal or plastic rnaterial has a substantially
square or rectangular base plate 21 and side wall portions 22 which
project perpendicularly upwardly from the base plate 21 at tne two
longitudinal sides thereof. The side wall portions 22 fonn limb portions
23 which diverge relative to each other, in their rean~7ard region, that
is to say, the region which is towards the rear in the direction of a ski
to which the holder 2 is secured. Between their forward and rearward ends,
the side wall portions 22 are connected together by a retaining member
24 in the form of a loop member which thus bridges across the two
side walls 22~ The member 2~ has a rounded rearward edge 25 and a rounded
forward edge 26, as can be best seen from Figure 2. The height and also
the thickness of the side wall portions 22 increase in a forward
direction fr~n the member 24, as can be clearly seen from Figures 2 and 3,
while the mutually facing inside surfaces of the side wall portions 22
each have a shallow depression or recess 27 which is of approximately
rectangular shape and which is enclosed on all sides. In Figure 3,
reference numeral 2~ denotes screws for fixing the holder 2 to the surface
of the ski, as mentioned above, the screws passing through suitable holes
in the base plate 21.
The clamp member or clasp 3 comprises a plastic material which is
hard but which is capable of resilient bending defonnation, for example
polyamide or polyurethane, and at its rearward end fonns a hook portion
31. Disposed in opposing relationship to the hook portion 31, forwardly
thereof and at a spacing which is less than the width of the m~nber 24,
as measured in the lengthwise direction of t'ne holde~ 2, is a ~uide
surface 32. The guide surface 32 forms the bottom front bo mdary
surface of a transversely extending recess 33 which is o~ approximatel~
part-elliptical shape in cross-section. As can be best seen frol~ for
example Figure 1, the recess 33 increases in ~"idth in an in~/ard directicn
frcm the guide surface 32 and from the tip of the hook portion 31.
By virtue of the above-described cross-sectional configuration of the
recess 33, the clamp member 3, in the region 34 which is forwardly of
the hook portion 31, is of smaller thickness, so that the clamp member
3 is resiliently bendable in the region 34.
In Figure 5, reference numeral 35 denotes a central portion of the
clamp member 3, which is disposed in front of the guide surface 32
and which is of substantially solid construction. An extension portion
36 extends forwardly in a generally arcuate configuration frcm the
central portion 35 and, in the clamping position shown in Figure 1, bears
against the top surface 1 of the ski, more specifically, by way of a
support or contact surface 37 provided on the extension portion 36.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface 37 is formed by the
head of an adjusting screw 38 which is screwed into the extension portion
36 of the clamp member 3 by means of a self-locking -thread, so that it
cannot turn of its own accord. The screw 38 has a milled or knurled
peripheral surface which is so positioned as to project slightly beyond
the forwardly pointed surface of the extension portion 36 of the clamp
member 3, as can be clearly seen for example from Figure 4 ar.d also
Figure 5. ~etween the central portion 35 and the adjusting screw 38, the
extension portion 36 of the clamp member forms an opening 39 which
is accessible from both sides of the binding assernbly and into which
the skier can insert for example a finger or a stick in order to
pull the extension portion 36 upwardly, in order to release the ski
binding.
Referring now to Figures 1, 4 and 5, formed on the mutually
oppositely disposed side surfaces of the central portion 35 of the
clamp rnember 3 is a respective resilient tongue portion 40 which
bears an outwardly projecting cylindrical lug portion 41 which can be
displaced into a hollow space 42 disposed adjacent thereto. As can be
best seen from Figure 1, the clamp member 3 is mounted to the holder
2 by the lug portions 41 form-lockingly or positively engaging into
- the respective depressions 27. As required, the clamp member 3 can be
disengaged from the holder 2 by pressing the tongue portions 40 inwardly,
thus causing them to deflect resiliently inwardly and disengage the
lug portions 41 from the respective depressions 27. In order to
facilitate inserting the lug portions 41 into the respective depressions
27 and releasing same therefrom, the lug portions 41 may have inclined
surface portions or bevels (not shown` at their top and their bottom.
Reference will now be made to Figure 6 which shows the clamp
member or clasp 3 in its position directly before it is pressed
into engagement on the retaining mernber 24. As can be seen from Figure
6, a cross-country ski boot 6 has a front extension portion 5 on the
front end or edge of the sole thereof. The extension portion 5 has
~5 an end par-t which is of increased thickness, thereby forming a shoulder
4 which faces rearwardly of the boot. In order to secure the boot 6
to a ski, the end part of the extension portion 5 is inserted into
position below the retaining member 24, so that the retaining member
24 thus engages around and over the extension portion 5. The clamp
member 3 is then moved into the posi-tion shown in Figure 6 in which
the tip of the hook portion 31 thereof engages closely under the
rearward edge 25 of the retaining loop member 24. With the assembly in
that position, by virtue of the above-described dimensioning of the
recess 33 in relation to the width of the retaining member 24, the
guide surface 32 is disposed in contact with the top surface of the
retaining member 24, that is to say, the recess 33 cannot be caused
to corne into engagement around the retaining member 24, without a force
being applied to the clamp member 3 in the direction indicated by the
arrow 7. As however the rounded guide surface 32, in conjunction with
contact thereof against the front edge 26 of the retaining member
24, under the pressing force applied in the direction indicated by the arrow
7, develops a wedge action, that causes the recess 33 to be increased
in width, by virtue of simultaneous bending deformation of the clamp
member 3, so that the retaining member 24 c~n engage into the recess
33, by the recess being so-to-speak snap fitted over the member 24.
In that position which thus constitutes the clarnping position of the
binding and which is clearly shown in Figure 1, the support surface
37 on the extension portion 36 of the clamp member 3 bears against
the top surface 1 of the ski and thus prevents the loop member 24
from moving further into the recess 33. By virtue of the divergent
confiyuration of the inside surfaces of the recess 33 in the
region of the hook portion 31 and adjoining the guide surface 32, and
3~
by virtue of the resilient biassing effect which presses the above-
indicated inside surfaces against the forward and rearward edges
respectively of the retaining member 24, the clamp member 3 is
fixedly seated in the holder 2 and its hook portion 31 engages
behind and below the shoulder 4 which, as can be seen for example from
Figure l, is of an undercut configuration. m e extension portion 5
of the sole of the bcot 6 is therefore held in place below the
retaining member 24 and cannot therefore be withdrawn therefrom. The
divergent portions 23 formed by the side walls 22 of the holder 2
prevent the front extension por-tion 5 of the ski boot 6 from being
further inserted into the holder 2 in a forward direction, by virtue of
the portions 23 bearing against corresponding side surfaces (not
shown) on the extension portion 5 of the sole of the boot.
Looking now at Figures l and 7, in the illustrated preferred
embcdiment of the assembly, the clamp member 3 also has a lever
surface 42 which extends rearwardly from the tip of the hook portion
31 and which, in the clamping position shcwn in Figure l, extends
considerably beyond the rearward edge 25 of the retaining member
24. If for example in the event of the skier falling forwardly, contact
occurs between the top surface of the extension portion 5 of the sole
and the lever surface 42, and if, under those circumstances, a
forwardly and upwardly directed force is thus applied to the lever
surface 42 by the extension portion 5, that force will produce a
turning mcment about an axis which lies in the support surface 37
and which extends transversely with respect to the ski. By virtue
of that force and as a result of the inclined position of the
inside surface of the recess 33, adjoining the tip of the hook portion
31, the clamp member 3 is resiliently bent up and the mouth opening
of the recess 33 is enlarged with the result that the recess 33 is
disengaged from the retaining me~ber 24~ After that release action, the
clamp member 3 assumes the position shown in Figure 7 and thereby releases
the extension portion 5 which can thus be displaced rearwardly out of
its position below the retaining member 24.
~ nscrewing the screw 38 further out of the extension portion 36
of the clamp member 3 causes the retaining or detent position of the
extension portion 36, relative to the surface of the ski, to be displaced
further upwardly so that the line of contact between the forward edge
26 of the retaining member 24 and the associated inside surface of the
recess 33 moves downwardly. As that means that the clamp member is
required to cover a shorter distance before the recess 33 comes out of
engagement with the retaining member 24, the binding will release when
the release force applied to the lever surface 42 by the top surface
of the extension portion 5 is of a lower value, so that the safety release
action of the bindin~ will occur more readily and thus more quickly. In
that way, the safety release action of the clamp member 3 can be
adjusted according to individual requirements, by suitably screwing the
screw 3?3 into or out of the portion 36 of the clamp member 3.
In order to provide protection fronl snow, dirt and the like
penetrating into the depressions 27, which could adversely affect
proper operation of the assembly, it will be seen from Figure 1
that the clamp member 3 also has a downwardly extended guard apron portion
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43 which projects almost as far as the top surface 1 o the ski.
That portion 43 therefore contributes to forming a closed space
which is not accessible from the outside of the assembly, to protec-t
the relatively moving parts thereof~
It will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications
may be made in the above-described embodiment which is set for-th only
by way of example of the invention, without thereby departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in the
illustrated construction, the clamp member is movably fixed to the
holder, in order thereby to form a coherent assembly. It would however
also be possible for the clamp member and the holder not to be
held firmly together in the release position.
