Automatic front unit for a ski binding

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic front unit for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a first retaining means and a second retaining means for retaining a ski boot in the toe region of the ski boot. This automatic front unit has a first retaining configuration, in which the two retaining means are in a retaining position, in which the two retaining means are at a first distance from one another, wherein the two retaining means can cooperate with the ski boot in the retaining position such that the ski boot is retained at the automatic front unit so as to be pivotable about an axis oriented horizontally in a transverse direction of the ski. Furthermore, the automatic front unit has a step-in configuration, in which the two retaining means are in a step-in position, in which the two retaining means are at a second distance from one another, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the ski boot is released from the two retaining means in the step-in position of the two retaining means, wherein the automatic front unit is adjustable from the step-in configuration into the first retaining configuration and back again. The two retaining means, in order to be adjusted from their step-in position into their retaining position and back again, are mounted so as to be movable in translation relative to one another along an adjustment path, wherein a region of the adjustment path that adjoins the retaining position of the two retaining means is oriented substantially horizontally.

Claims

1. Automatic front unit for a ski binding, in particular a touring ski binding, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a first retaining means and a second retaining means for retaining a ski boot in the toe region of the ski boot, wherein the automatic front unit a) has a first retaining configuration, in which the two retaining means are in a retaining position, in which the two retaining means are at a first distance from one another, wherein the two retaining means can cooperate with the ski boot in the retaining position such that the ski boot is retained at the automatic front unit so as to be pivotable about an axis oriented horizontally in a transverse direction of the ski, and b) a step-in configuration, in which the two retaining means are in a step-in position, in which the two retaining means are at a second distance from one another, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the ski boot is released from the two retaining means in the step-in position of the two retaining means, wherein the automatic front unit is adjustable from the step-in configuration into the first retaining configuration and back again, wherein the two retaining means, in order to be adjusted from their step-in position into their retaining position and back again, are slidably mounted so as to be movable in translation relative to one another along an adjustment path, wherein a region of the adjustment path that adjoins the retaining position of the two retaining means extends the entire distance between the two retaining means and is oriented substantially horizontally.

2. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic front unit has a first retaining lever and a second retaining lever, wherein the two retaining levers are arranged opposite one another on either side of the centre of the ski, wherein the first retaining means is arranged on the first retaining lever in an upper region of the first retaining lever and the second retaining means is arranged on the second retaining lever in an upper region of the second retaining lever.

3. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the two retaining means, in order to be adjusted from their step-in position into their retaining position and back again, are slidably mounted relative to one another along the adjustment path in that the first retaining means is slidably mounted and the second retaining means is slidably mounted.

4. Automatic front unit according to claim 3, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a first carriage and a second carriage, wherein the first retaining means is arranged on the first carriage and the second retaining means is arranged on the second carriage, wherein the first carriage is slidably mounted and the second carriage is slidably mounted, with the result that the two retaining means, in order to be adjusted from their step-in position into their retaining position and back again, are slidably mounted relative to one another along the adjustment path in that the first retaining means is slidably mounted by the first carriage and the second retaining means is slidably mounted by the second carriage.

5. Automatic front unit according to claim 4, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a slide, which is operatively connected to the first carriage and the second carriage and which is movable by the first carriage and/or the second carriage being moved in translation when the two retaining means are adjusted away from their retaining position in that the first retaining means is moved in translation with the first carriage and/or the second retaining means is moved in translation with the second carriage.

6. Automatic front unit according to claim 5, wherein the first carriage has a first guiding form, in that the second carriage has a second guiding form, and in that the slide has a third guiding form and a fourth guiding form, wherein the first guiding form cooperates with the third guiding form and the second guiding form cooperates with the fourth guiding form.

7. Automatic front unit according to claim 5, wherein the slide is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and in that the first carriage and the second carriage are slidably mounted substantially horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski.

8. Automatic front unit according to claim 5, wherein, as a result of the slide being moved in translation in a first direction in the longitudinal direction of the ski, the first carriage and the second carriage are movable relative to one another and thus the first retaining means and the second retaining means are movable towards one another, towards their retaining position.

9. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic front unit has a preloaded elastic element, the preloading of which causes the two retaining means to be preloaded towards their retaining position with a retaining force in the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit.

10. Automatic front unit according to claim 9, wherein the elastic element is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

11. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic front unit has an adjustable opening lever for adjusting the automatic front unit from the first retaining configuration into the step-in configuration.

12. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a blocking element that is adjustable between a blocking position and a releasing position, and has a second retaining configuration, in which the two retaining means are in the retaining position and in which the blocking element is in the blocking position, wherein the blocking element, in the blocking position, prevents the adjustment of the automatic front unit into the step-in configuration.

13. Automatic front unit according to claim 1, wherein the automatic front unit comprises a ski boot release actuating element, which has an activated position, in which the ski boot release actuating element is in the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit and in which the ski boot release actuating element is actuable, in particular by the ski boot retained in the automatic front unit being pivoted, in order to move the two retaining means at least temporarily away from their retaining position and away from one another and as a result to release a ski boot optionally retained in the automatic front unit.

14. Ski binding having an automatic front unit according to claim 1.

15. Ski having a ski binding according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment:

(2) FIGS. 1a, b, c each show an oblique view of an automatic front unit according to the invention, wherein the automatic front unit is shown in a step-in configuration, in a first retaining configuration and in a second retaining configuration, respectively,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded illustration of the automatic front unit in an oblique view,

(4) FIGS. 3a, b, c each show a cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through the automatic front unit in the longitudinal direction of the ski, wherein the automatic front unit is shown in the step-in configuration, in the first retaining configuration and in the second retaining configuration, respectively,

(5) FIGS. 4a, b each show a cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through the automatic front unit in the transverse direction of the ski, wherein the automatic front unit is shown in the step-in configuration and in the first retaining configuration, respectively, and

(6) FIGS. 5a, b, c each show a simplified, schematic cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through a further automatic front unit according to the invention in the transverse direction of the ski, wherein the automatic front unit is shown in the first retaining configuration, in the step-in configuration and in a release configuration, respectively.

(7) In all cases, identical parts are provided with identical reference signs in the figures.

(8) Ways of Implementing the Invention

(9) FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c each show an oblique view of an automatic front unit 1 according to the invention. In this case, the front of the automatic front unit 1 is located at the top left in the figures, while the rear is located at the bottom right in the figures. Furthermore, the top and bottom of the automatic front unit 1 are likewise at the top and bottom, respectively, in the figures.

(10) In FIG. 1a, the automatic front unit 1 is shown in a step-in configuration. By contrast, in FIG. 1b, the automatic front unit 1 is shown in a first retaining configuration, while the automatic front unit 1 is illustrated in a second retaining configuration in FIG. 1c.

(11) The automatic front unit 1 comprises a housing 2, which is fastenable to a ski (not shown here) by means of screws in order to fasten the automatic front unit 1 to the ski. Furthermore, the automatic front unit 1 has a first retaining lever 3.1 and a second retaining lever 3.2, which are arranged opposite one another on either side of the centre of the ski. These two retaining levers 3.1, 3.2 are arranged in a substantially vertically oriented manner and oriented in a manner pointing upwards in the step-in configuration, in the first retaining configuration and in the second retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1. Arranged in an upper region of the first retaining lever 3.1 is a first retaining means 4.1 for retaining a ski boot (not shown here), while a second retaining means 4.2 for retaining the ski boot (not shown here) is arranged in an upper region of the second retaining lever 3.2. Each of the retaining means 4.1, 4.2 is a frustoconical stud, pointing towards the centre of the ski, which, in order to retain the ski boot, can engage in recesses provided for this purpose that are arranged laterally in the toe region of a ski boot.

(12) The first retaining lever 3.1 is formed in one piece with a first carriage 5.1, wherein the first carriage 5.1 is mounted in the housing 2 so as to be movable in translation horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski. Analogously thereto, the second retaining lever 3.2 is also formed in one piece with a second carriage 5.2, wherein the second carriage 5.2 is likewise mounted in the housing 2 so as to be movable in translation horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski. The two pieces are manufactured from cast aluminium and formed in a rigid manner. In this case rigid means that, when an external force acts thereon, the respective piece bends elastically by at most a limit value without the piece breaking. In order to determine this limit value, the starting point is two points in the respective piece, wherein the first point is located in the carriage 5.1, 5.2 in the region of the carriage 5.1, 5.2 in which the carriage 5.1, 5.2 is mounted in the housing 2 so as to be movable in translation, and wherein the second point is located in the retaining lever 3.1, 3.2 at the location at which the retaining means 4.1, 4.2 belonging to the retaining lever 3.1, 3.2 is arranged. In this case, the rest distance is assumed to be the distance between the two points when an external force is not acting on the piece. Furthermore, one of the two points is fixed in space, while the translation distance of the position of the other point in space without an external force acting on the piece is determined using the position of this other point in space when an external force is acting on the piece. In this case, for each possible pair of points and each possible acting force, in the respective piece, the translation distance is 0.01% or less. In variants, this percentage is 0.1% or less, or 1% or less.

(13) The automatic front unit 1 furthermore comprises an opening lever 6 for adjusting the automatic front unit 1 from the first retaining configuration into the step-in configuration and back again, and for adjusting the automatic front unit 1 from the first retaining configuration into the second retaining configuration and back again. The opening lever 6 consists of a first lever element 7.1 and a second lever element 7.2. The first lever element 7.1 is mounted on the housing 2 so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis 8.1 and points with its free end forward and upward. The second lever element 7.2 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis 8.2, which is located in the region of the free end of the first lever element 7.1. Furthermore, the automatic front unit 1 comprises a tread spur 9 for adjusting the automatic front unit 1 from the step-in configuration into the retaining configuration, wherein the tread spur 9 is likewise mounted so as to be pivotable about the first pivot axis 8.1. The tread spur 9 extends with its free end towards the rear as far as under the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2.

(14) As mentioned above, the automatic front unit 1 is illustrated in the step-in configuration in FIG. 1a. In this case, the two carriages 5.1, 5.2 have been moved in translation away from one another in the transverse direction of the ski. Accordingly, the two retaining arms 3.1, 3.2 with the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 have also been moved away from one another. The two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are thus at a second spacing from one another. This is a step-in position of the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2. In this step-in position, the ski boot is released from the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 and can be moved away from the retaining means 4.1, 4.2 and thus also away from the automatic front unit 1. Equally, however, in the step-in configuration of the automatic front unit 1, a ski boot can be moved towards the automatic front unit 1 and with its toe region between the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 in order to step into the automatic front unit 1.

(15) As is apparent in FIG. 1a, in the step-in configuration of the automatic front unit 1, the tread spur 9 has been pivoted somewhat upwards with its rearwardly pointing free end. In addition, the opening lever 6 has been pivoted downwards with its forwardly pointing free end. The latter means that the first lever element 7.1 has been pivoted downwards towards the ski with its forwardly pointing free end and thus with the second pivot axis 8.2, while the second lever element 7.1 has likewise been pivoted downwards towards the ski with its forwardly pointing free end.

(16) In order to adjust the automatic front unit 1 from the step-in configuration shown in FIG. 1a into the first retaining configuration shown in FIG. 1b, the opening lever 6 can be pulled upwards slightly with its free end or the tread spur 9 can be pushed downwards with its rearwardly pointing free end. The latter makes it possible in particular to step into the automatic front unit 1, since, with the automatic front unit 1 in the step-in configuration, a ski boot can be moved with its toe region between the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 until it is positioned correctly with respect to the retaining means 4.1, 4.2, after which the ski boot can be moved downwards slightly, with the result that the tread spur 9 is pushed downwards and the automatic front unit 1 is adjusted into its first retaining configuration.

(17) As is apparent in FIG. 1b, in the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1, the opening lever 6 has been pivoted upwards slightly with its free end. In addition, the tread spur 9 has been pivoted downwards with its rearwardly pointing free end and has an upwardly pointing surface that is oriented flush with the surrounding, upwardly pointing surface of the housing 2. Furthermore, the two carriages 5.1, 5.2 have been moved in translation towards one another, and thus the two retaining levers 3.1, 3.2 with the retaining means 4.1, 4.2 have also been moved towards one another. In this case, the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are at a first spacing from one another, which is smaller than the second spacing. This is a retaining position of the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2. In this retaining position, the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 can engage in recesses arranged laterally in the toe region of the ski boot and as a result retain the ski boot on the automatic front unit 1 so as to be pivotable about an axis oriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski.

(18) On account of the two carriages 5.1, 5.2, the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2, in order to be adjusted from their step-in position into their retaining position and back again, are mounted so as to be movable in translation relative to one another along an adjustment path, wherein a region of the adjustment path adjoining the retaining position of the two retaining means is oriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski. In the present exemplary embodiment, this region of the adjustment path extends along the entire adjustment path of the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 from the retaining position into the step-in position. In other embodiments, by contrast, the region has a length of for example 30%, 55% or 80% of a length of the adjustment path.

(19) In order to adjust the automatic front unit 1 from the first retaining configuration shown in FIG. 1b back into the step-in configuration, the opening lever 6 can be pushed downwards towards the ski with its forwardly pointing end. This can be carried out manually or in that a ski boot retained in the automatic front unit 1 is pivoted forwards and upwards with its heel region such that the upper toe region of the ski boot is pivoted forwards and downwards and as a result pushes the opening lever 6 downwards. In order to allow such adjustment by the ski boot, the second lever element 7.2 of the opening lever 6 has a ski boot release actuating element 10 in its upper rear region. In the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1, this ski boot release actuating element 10 is in an activated position, in which it is actuable by pivoting of the ski boot retained in the automatic front unit 1, in order to move the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 at least temporarily away from their retaining position and away from one another and as a result to release a ski boot possibly retained in the automatic front unit 1 when the ski boot is pivoted forwards and upwards with its heel region and thus the upper toe region of the ski boot is pivoted forwards and downwards.

(20) As is apparent in FIG. 1c, in the second retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1, the opening lever 6 has been pivoted further upwards with its free end than in the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1. In this case, the first lever element 7.1 has scarcely noticeably been pivoted further upwards than in the first retaining configuration and the retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are in their retaining position as already in the first retaining configuration. The second lever element 7.2, however, has been pivoted much further upwards about the second pivot axis 8.2 with its forwardly pointing free end than in the first retaining configuration. As a result, the ski boot release actuating element 10 has been pivoted out of the movement path of the ski boot retained in the automatic front unit 1 and thus into a deactivated position. Moreover, as a result, a blocking element 11, which is arranged on the second lever element 7.2 of the opening lever 6 in the rear lower region of the second lever element 7.2, has been pivoted under the second pivot axis 8.2, where it is supported from beneath. In this way, the blocking element 11 is in a blocking position, in which it prevents the first lever element 7.1 of the opening lever 6 from pivoting downwards and the automatic front unit 1 from being able to be unintentionally adjusted into the step-in configuration. Compared therewith, the blocking element 11 in the first retaining configuration of the automatic front unit 1 has been pivoted rearwardly and upwardly about the second pivot axis 8.2 into a release position.

(21) FIG. 2 shows an oblique view of an exploded illustration of the automatic front unit 1. In this case the front of the automatic front unit 1 is again located at the top left in the figure, while the rear is located at the bottom right in the figure.

(22) It is apparent from the exploded illustration that the automatic front unit 1 additionally comprises a slide 12 and an elastic element 13 in the form of a spiral spring. Both the slide 12 and the elastic element 13 are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the ski and are arranged in the housing 2 in the assembled state of the automatic front unit 1. In this case, the elastic element 13 is arranged as seen in the longitudinal direction of the ski in front of a line oriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski and extending through the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2. Towards the rear, the elastic element 13 is supported on the housing 2 and to the front it is supported on the slide 12. In the assembled state of the automatic front unit 1, the elastic element 13 is preloaded and pushes the slide 12 forwards. In the embodiment shown here, the preloading of the elastic element 13 is defined by the shaping of the housing 2 and of the slide 12. In variants, the preloading of the elastic element 13 is settable, however. This can be achieved for example by means of a screw or a combination of a bolt and a nut, as is known from the technical field of ski bindings.

(23) The slide 12 extends beneath the elastic element 13 towards the rear as far as under the two carriages 5.1, 5.2. In this case, the slide 12 has a third guiding form 14.3 beneath the first carriage 5.1 and a fourth guiding form 14.4 beneath the second carriage 5.2. Both the third guiding form 14.3 and the fourth guiding form 14.4 are formed by channels that extend diagonally to the side and the front from the centre of the ski. Furthermore, the first carriage 5.1 has a first guiding form 14.1 on its underside while the second carriage 5.2 has a second guiding form 14.2 on its underside. In this case the first guiding form 14.1 is formed in a complementary manner to the third guiding form 14.3, while the second guiding form 14.2 is formed in a complementary manner to the fourth guiding form 14.4. In the assembled state of the automatic front unit 1, the first guiding form 14.1 cooperates with the third guiding form 14.3, while the second guiding form 14.2 cooperates with the fourth guiding form 14.4. Thus, the slide 12 is operatively connected to the first carriage 5.1 as a result of the cooperation of the first guiding form 14.1 with the third guiding form 14.3 and is operatively connected to the second carriage 5.2 as a result of the cooperation of the second guiding form 14.2 with the fourth guiding form 14.4. When the slide 12 is thus moved in translation, the first guiding form 14.1 is moved in translation with respect to the third guiding form 14.3 and the second guiding form 14.2 is moved in translation with respect to the fourth guiding form 14.4. Therefore, as a result of the slide 12 being moved in translation in a first direction in the longitudinal direction of the ski, the first carriage 5.1 and the second carriage 5.2 are moved in translation relative to one another, with the result that the first retaining means 4.1 and the second retaining means 4.2 are also moved towards one another, towards their retaining position. In this case, however, the slide 12 is operatively connected to the first carriage 5.1 and the second carriage 5.2 such that, as a result of a movement of the first carriage 5.1 and of the second carriage 5.2 relative to one another, during which the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are moved apart away from their retaining position, the slide 12 is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction. At the same time, as a result of the slide 12 being moved in translation in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the first carriage 5.1 and the second carriage 5.2 are moved in translation relative to one another, with the result that the first retaining means 4.1 and the second retaining means 4.2 are moved away from one another away from their retaining position.

(24) FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c each show a cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through the automatic front unit 1 in the longitudinal direction of the ski. In FIG. 3a, the automatic front unit 1 is shown in the step-in configuration, while the automatic front unit 1 is shown in the first retaining configuration in FIG. 3b and in the second retaining configuration in FIG. 3c.

(25) It is apparent from FIG. 3a that, in the step-in configuration of the automatic front unit 1, the first lever element 7.1 of the opening lever 6 has been pivoted forwards from top to bottom over the front region of the slide 12 and thus holds the slide 12 in a position pushed towards the rear counter to the preloading generated by the elastic element 13. As a result, the two carriages 5.1, 5.2 are also held in a correspondingly moved-apart position, with the result that the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are held in their step-in position.

(26) If the opening lever 6 is now pulled upwards, the slide 12 is released and moved forwards, with the result that the automatic front unit 1 is adjusted into its first retaining configuration. To this end, the opening lever 6 can be pulled upwards manually or the tread spur 9 can be pushed downwards with its rearwardly pointing free end. In the latter case, a region of the tread spur 9 that is located in front of the first pivot axis 8.1 presses from the bottom upwards against the first lever element 7.1 of the opening lever 6, with the result that the opening lever 6 is pivoted upwards.

(27) As a result of the opening lever 6 being moved upwards, the slide 12, as mentioned above, is moved forwards. This movement of the slide 12 is brought about by the preloaded elastic element 13, which pushes the slide 12 forwards. Furthermore, however, this movement of the slide 12 is also brought about by a coupling of the opening lever 6 to the slide 12. To this end, as is apparent from the exploded illustration in FIG. 2, the first lever element 7.1 has, in the region beneath the first pivot axis 8.1, two cams that engage in corresponding recesses in the slide 12 in the assembled state of the automatic front unit 1. In this way, the movement of the slide 12 is coupled to a pivoting movement of the first lever element 7.1. Therefore, if, during the adjustment of the automatic front unit 1 from the step-in configuration into the first retaining configuration, the opening lever 6 is pulled manually upwards and in the process the first lever element 7.1 is pivoted upwards about the first pivot axis 8.1, the slide 12 is pulled forwards. Equally, however, the first lever element 7.1 and thus the opening lever 6 are also moved upwards by the slide 12 when, on account of the preloading of the elastic element 13, the slide 12 is pushed forwards. On account of this cam connection, the slide 12 is also pushed towards the rear counter to the preloading of the elastic element 13 when the opening lever 6 and the first lever element 7.1 are pivoted downwards in order to adjust the automatic front unit 1 from the first retaining configuration into the step-in configuration. In the step-in configuration, the automatic front unit 1 remains held because the first lever element 7.1 has been pivoted forwards from top to bottom over the rearwardly pushed slide 12 and, on account of the shaping of the front end of the slide 12, which is pushed against corresponding shaping on the first lever element 7.1, is held in a latched position.

(28) FIGS. 4a and 4b each show a cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through the automatic front unit 1 in the transverse direction of the ski. In this case, the automatic front unit 1 is shown in the step-in configuration in FIG. 4a and in the first retaining configuration in FIG. 4b. Thus, the two retaining means 4.1, 4.2 are shown in the step-in configuration in FIG. 4a, while they are shown in the retaining position in FIG. 4b.

(29) FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c each show a simplified, schematic cross-sectional illustration of a vertically oriented cross section extending through a further automatic front unit 101 according to the invention in the transverse direction of the ski. The automatic front unit 101 shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c is of substantially identical construction to the automatic front unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1a to 4b. However, in contrast to the automatic front unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 4b, in the case of the automatic front unit 101 illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 are configured as pieces that are separate from the carriages 105.1, 105.2. In this case, the first retaining lever 103.1 is mounted on the first carriage 105.1 so as to be pivotable about a first axis 115.1, while the second retaining lever 103.2 is mounted on the second carriage 105.2 so as to be pivotable about a second axis 115.2.

(30) In FIG. 5a, the automatic front unit 101 is illustrated in the first retaining configuration. In this case, the two retaining means 104.1, 104.2 are in their retaining position. It is apparent from FIG. 5a that a lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2, which is supported on the housing 102 of the automatic front unit 1, is arranged on each of the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2. Thus, the lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2 are in a lever blocking position, in which they block a pivoting movement of the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 with their retaining means 104.1, 104.2 away from the centre of the ski about the respective axis 115.1, 115.2 relative to the respective carriage 105.1, 105.2.

(31) In FIG. 5b, the automatic front unit 101 is illustrated in the step-in configuration and the two retaining means 104.1, 104.2 are in their step-in position. Here, too, the lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2 are supported on the housing 102 and are in the lever blocking position, in which they block a pivoting movement of the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 with their retaining means 104.1, 104.2 away from the centre of the ski about the respective axis 115.1, 115.2 relative to the respective carriage 105.1, 105.2.

(32) In FIG. 5c, the automatic front unit 101 is illustrated in a release configuration, in which the lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2 are in a lever release position, in which a pivoting movement of the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 about their axes 115.1, 115.2 is enabled and in which the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 with the retaining means 104.1, 104.2 have also been pivoted away from the centre of the ski about the axes 115.1, 115.2.

(33) In order to be adjusted from the first retaining configuration (see FIG. 5a) into the release configuration (see FIG. 5b) a sufficiently large load on the retaining means 104.1, 104.2, by which the retaining means 104.1, 104.2 are pushed apart, suffices. Such a load can arise for example when the skier falls. In this case, first of all the two carriages 105.1, 105.2 are moved away from the centre of the ski counter to the preloading of the elastic element. As soon as the carriages 105.1, 105.2 have been moved in translation sufficiently far, the lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2 are released from the housing 102 of the automatic front unit 101, with the result that the lever blocking means 116.1, 116.2 can be adjusted into their lever release position and the retaining levers 103.1, 103.2 with their retaining means 104.1, 104.2 can be pivoted away from the centre of the ski, with the result that the automatic front unit 101 is adjusted into its release configuration. As a result, the ski boot can be released in a safety release. Accordingly, the automatic front unit 101 shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c allows a safety release.

(34) The invention is not limited to the two automatic front units 1, 101 described above. Various other variants and variations are possible.

(35) In summary, it is noted that an automatic front unit has been created which is lightweight, can be produced cost effectively and affords the skier a greater level of safety.