Front jaw

Abstract

The invention relates to a ski binding including a front jaw and a rear jaw for holding the sole of a ski boot. The front jaw includes a base, via which the front jaw can be connected to a ski, a first holding device for connecting the boot to the ski at the front end of the boot for ascending, and a second holding device for connecting the ski boot to the ski at the front end of the boot for descending. The second holding device exhibits a first configuration for descending, in which the second holding device is in contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a second configuration for ascending, in which the second holding device is out of contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot.

Claims

1. A ski binding, comprising a front jaw for holding a front end of the sole of a ski boot and a rear jaw for holding a rear end of the sole of a ski boot, wherein the front jaw comprises: a base, via which the front jaw can be connected to a ski; a jaw body which is or can be connected to the base or forms part of the base; a first holding device using which a ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for ascending, wherein the first holding device defines a joint axis about which the ski boot can be pivoted via its front end; and a second holding device using which the ski boot can be connected to the ski at the front end of the ski boot for descending, wherein the second holding device exhibits a first configuration for descending, in which the second holding device is in contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a second configuration for ascending, in which the second holding device is out of contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot, wherein, in the first configuration for descending, the second holding device is coupled to the base and/or the first holding device, wherein the second holding device is embodied such that it can be temporarily removed from the base and/or the first holding device during ascent.

2. The ski binding according to claim 1, wherein the first holding device comprises at least a first and a second engaging element, which can be moved from a first position, in which they have a first distance from each other, towards each other into a second position in which they have a second distance from each other which is smaller than the first distance, wherein the first engaging element and the second engaging element can be moved into the second position and held in the second position by a tensioning device, and the second holding device comprises: a holding device body; a first ski boot retainer which encompasses the front end of the sole at least laterally, wherein the first ski boot retainer is connected to the holding device body in a first pivot joint; a second ski boot retainer which encompasses the front end of the sole at least laterally, wherein the second ski boot retainer is connected to the holding device body in a second pivot joint; at least one spring element which tensions the first ski boot retainer and the second ski boot retainer towards each other; and at least one connecting device which detachably connects the second holding device to the base and/or the first holding device.

3. The ski binding according to claim 2, wherein the connecting device comprises a first connecting arm, which is rigidly connected to or formed by the holding device body, and a second connecting arm which is rigidly connected to or formed by the holding device body, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm are arranged parallel to each other and spaced from each other.

4. The ski binding according to claim 2, wherein a free end of the connecting device comprises an engaging structure which co-operates with a complementary engaging structure which is comprised by the base or the jaw body, in order to detachably connect the second holding device to the first holding device, wherein the engaging structure and the complementary engaging structure form a pivot axis about which the second holding device can be pivoted relative to the first holding device.

5. The ski binding according to claim 1, wherein the second holding device has at least one receptacle opening with which a securing element can engage in order to fix the second holding device in the first configuration for descending, wherein the securing element is an engaging element of the first holding device.

6. The ski binding according to claim 4, wherein the second holding device also comprises a securing device which is connected to the holding device body such that it can be pivoted in at least one pivot joint or pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis extends substantially parallel to the joint axis.

7. The ski binding according to claim 6, wherein the securing device comprises at least one securing arm or a first securing arm, a second securing arm and a securing plate which connects the first securing arm and the second securing arm to each other at one end, and wherein a free end of the at least one securing arm or a free end of the first securing arm and the second securing arm each form an engagement, wherein each of the engagements can be connected to the complementary engaging structure of the base or jaw body.

8. The ski binding according to claim 6, wherein the at least one securing arm or the first securing arm and/or the second securing arm has/have an outwardly protruding molded part on a lower side facing the ski.

9. The ski binding according to claim 6, wherein the securing device is arranged between the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm.

10. The ski binding according to claim 1, wherein the front jaw also comprises a latching element which latches the tensioning device in the second position when a ski boot is being held in the second holding device.

11. The ski binding according to claim 10, wherein the latching element comprises: a latching body; a stud which protrudes from the latching body; an abutting area for a front end of a sole of the ski boot; and an area which serves as a counter bearing for a spring element; and wherein the abutting area is contacted by a front side of the sole of the ski boot when stepping into the ski binding wearing a ski boot, and the latching element can be moved from a release position into a latching position when stepping in further in the skiing direction.

12. The ski binding according to claim 11, wherein the spring element biases the latching element into the release position, and the latching element can be moved into the latching position against the force of the spring element, and wherein, in the latching position, the stud which protrudes from the latching body prevents the tensioning device from being able to be moved from the second position into the first position.

13. The ski binding according to claim 10, wherein the latching element is arranged between the first ski boot retainer and the second ski boot retainer and is guided linearly in the holding device body.

14. A front jaw attachment for a ski binding, comprising a second holding device according to claim 1.

15. The front jaw attachment according to claim 14, wherein the second holding device is designed to be detachably connected to the first holding device.

16. The ski binding according to claim 1, wherein the second holding device is temporarily removable by hand or with the aid of a ski pole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, aspects of the invention are described in more detail on the basis of figures from example embodiments. Features essential to aspects of the invention which can only be gathered from the figures form part of the scope of the disclosure and can be adduced, individually or in combination, in order to advantageously develop the subject-matter of the application. The figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 a perspective view from above onto a front jaw which comprises a first holding device;

(3) FIG. 2 a perspective view from the side onto a second holding device;

(4) FIG. 3 a front jaw comprising the first holding device and the second holding device combined in a configuration for ascending;

(5) FIG. 4 a front jaw comprising the first holding device and the second holding device in a configuration for descending;

(6) FIG. 5 a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the front jaw of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the front jaw of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 a detailed view in the connecting region of the two holding devices;

(9) FIG. 8 an alternative front jaw comprising a first and second holding device and an additional latching element;

(10) FIG. 9 a sectional view of the alternative front jaw of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 a sectional view of the alternative front jaw of FIG. 8, comprising a latching element in a latching position;

(12) FIG. 11 an alternative front jaw comprising a first and second holding device and an alternative securing device comprising split pins in the released position;

(13) FIG. 12 the alternative front jaw of FIG. 11, with the securing device in the latched position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) FIG. 1 shows a front jaw 1′ of a ski binding, comprising: a base 2 for connecting the front jaw 1′ to a ski boot; a first holding device 3 for holding a ski boot in the front jaw 1′; and a bearing plate 7 on which a lower side of a front sole of the ski boot being held in the front jaw 1′ can be placed. The first holding device 3 comprises a tensioning device 5 using which a first engaging element 31 and a second engaging element 32 can be moved from a first position, in which the ski boot is released for stepping out of the front jaw 1′, into a second position in which they hold the ski boot fixedly in the front jaw 1′.

(15) As shown in the example embodiment, the first holding device 3 can be part of the front jaw of a pin binding, wherein the engaging elements 31, 32 are the pins which are connected in a known way to the tensioning device 5, which comprises a tensioning lever 51 and a tensioning element 52, via lever arms 33, 34. The first engaging element 31 and the second engaging element 32 can be moved by means of the tensioning device 5 towards each other into the second position and fixed in the second position in order to hold the ski boot, and the two engaging elements 31, 32 can be moved by means of the tensioning device 5 away from each other into the first position and fixed in the first position, where “fixed” is intended to mean that the engaging elements 31, 32 cannot be moved out of the first or, respectively, second position without employing an additional force which is greater than for example a force of gravity of the parts to be moved. In the configuration for ascending, the tensioning device 5 is latched in a known way by actuating the tensioning lever 51, i.e. by moving the tensioning lever 51 for example in a direction away from a surface of the ski.

(16) The bearing plate 7 is a known bearing plate which can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction L of the ski using a tool, in order to set the front jaw such that it can be used independently of the sole of the ski boot, i.e. used with a standardized downhill sole of the ski boot or a standardized touring sole of the ski boot or a sole of the ski boot which fulfills the standards for the downhill sole of the ski boot and the touring sole of the ski boot or, respectively, with the ski boot comprising the corresponding sole of the ski boot. The bearing plate 7 can be able to be moved in a direction Q transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the ski, in order not to obstruct the release movement when the front jaw is laterally released while descending in skis. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing plate 7 can comprise a surface which assists a sole of the ski boot in sliding in the event of lateral release by reducing a friction resistance between the lower side of the sole of the ski boot and the upper side of the bearing plate 7.

(17) In the region of the front jaw 1′ which is a front region in the skiing direction, a joint axis A2 can be seen which, together with a joint axis A3 which is arranged on the other side of the front jaw 1′ and cannot be seen in FIG. 1, forms a pivot axis S23, the significance of which is clarified in FIG. 2. In front of the pivot axis S23, holding elements 91, 92 can be seen which can latch a second holding device 4 (FIG. 2) in a position pivoted away from the first holding device 3, as shown in FIG. 3.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a second holding device 4 for the front end of the ski boot, in a front jaw 1 which is formed from the front jaw 1′ and the second holding device 4. The second holding device 4 is a part which is separate from the first holding device 3 and independent of the front jaw 1′ and which can for example be carried along by the ski tourer in a rucksack in order to be connected later to the front jaw 1′, so as to form the front jaw 1, for descending.

(19) The second holding device 4 comprises a holding device body 41 featuring a first ski boot retainer 43 and a second ski boot retainer 44, which at least partially encompass the front end of the sole of the ski boot, and a first connecting arm 45 and a second connecting arm 46 which are designed to connect—preferably, detachably connect—the second holding device 4 to the first holding device 3 of FIG. 1.

(20) The first connecting arm 45 and the second connecting arm 46 comprise an engaging structure 45a, 46a—in the example embodiment, a claw-shaped engaging structure—via which the second holding device 4 can be connected to the first holding device 3 in a positive fit, by snapping the engaging structure 45a, 46a of the second holding device 4 onto the joint axes A2 and A3, respectively. The connection between the joint axis A2 and the engaging structure 45a then forms a pivot joint S2, and the connection between the joint axis A3 and the engaging structure 46a then forms a pivot joint S3. Since the joint axes A2 and A3 form a common pivot axis S23 (FIG. 1) for the second holding device 4, the second holding device 4 can be pivoted about this common pivot axis S23 relative to the first holding device 3 and in particular pivoted onto and away from the first holding device 3.

(21) A securing device 6 is connected to the connecting arms 45, 46. The securing device 6 comprises a first securing arm 61 and a second securing arm 62 and a securing plate 63 which connects the first securing arm 61 and the second securing arm 62 at one end, such that the securing device 6 is substantially U-shaped. The closed end of the U faces the holding device body 41; the open ends, which form an engagement 61a, 62a of the first securing arm 61 and second securing arm 62, are hook-shaped. The securing device 6 and the holding device body 41 are connected to each other, such that they can be pivoted. To this end, the first connecting arm 45 comprises a transit opening 45b, and the first securing arm 61 comprises a transit opening which is not visible. A joint axis A4 extends through the two transit openings 45b and forms part of a pivot joint S4. The second connecting arm 46 has a transit opening 46b, and the second securing arm 62 has a transit opening 62b, through which a joint axis A5 protrudes in order to form a pivot joint S5. The pivot joint S4 and the pivot joint S5 form a common pivot axis S45, about which the securing device 6 can be pivoted relative to the holding device body 41. In the example embodiment, the securing device 6 is arranged between the first connecting arm 45 and the second connecting arm 46.

(22) The pivot axis S45 is arranged between the pivot axis S23 and the securing plate 63, nearer to the securing plate 63 in the example embodiment.

(23) If the second holding device 4 is pivoted completely onto the first holding device 3, the securing device 6 secures the second holding device 4 in this position, in that the engagements 61a, 62a of the securing arms 61, 62 grip below the joint axes A2, A3 (FIG. 1) and thus prevent the engaging structure 45a, 46a of the connecting arms 45, 46, which is claw-shaped in the example embodiment, from being able to unintentionally detach from the joint axes A2, A3, for example due to the effect of impact forces when descending in uneven terrain.

(24) The securing device 6 or, respectively, the first securing arm 61 and the second connecting arm 46 also comprise(s) molded parts 64, 65 which protrude from one of the longitudinal sides of the first securing arm 61 and second securing arm 62 at an angle of substantially 90°. The molded part 64 protrudes from the first securing arm 61 towards the first connecting arm 45 and, in the example embodiment, has a length transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the ski which is greater than a thickness of the first connecting arm 45. The same correspondingly applies to the molded part 65.

(25) Lastly, the first connecting arm 45 preferably comprises a complementary holding element, which cannot be seen in this view, and the second connecting arm 46 preferably comprises a complementary holding element 46c which can co-operate with the holding elements 91, 92 (FIG. 1) formed on the end of the first holding device 3 which is the front end in the skiing direction, in order to secure the second holding device 4 in a position pivoted away from the first holding device 3, for example for ascending.

(26) The first ski boot retainer 43 is connected to the holding device body 41 in a pivot joint S0, and the second ski boot retainer 44 is connected to the holding device body 41 in a pivot joint S1. A spring element 9 (see FIG. 6) tensions the two ski boot retainers 43, 44 towards each other in a known way, such that the two ski boot retainers 43, 44 are pressed laterally against the sole of the ski boot via the front jaw 1 when descending, wherein they encompass the sole of the ski boot from above and/or laterally at a front end and thus secure the ski boot in the ski binding. The force of the spring element 9 can be set in a known way, and the binding hardness set can be read off in a window 10 in the holding device body 41. In the example embodiment, a U-shaped wire 93 forms the joint axes for the pivot joint S0 and the pivot joint S1, wherein the wire 93 or, respectively, the two open ends of the wire 93 is/are fitted from above through openings in the holding device body 41 and through the ski boot retainers 43, 44. In the position in which it forms the pivot axes for the ski boot retainers 43, 44, the wire 93 is secured in the holding device body 41 in a positive fit and/or force fit against unintentionally working its way out.

(27) The second holding device 4 also comprises a receptacle 47, with which the engaging element 31 of the first holding device 3 engages, and a receptacle which is not visible and with which the engaging element 32 of the first holding device 3 engages when the front jaw 1 is used in the downhill mode. The engagement between the engaging elements 31, 32 and the receptacles 47 secures the second holding device 4 against being unintentionally released. To this end, and as when securing the first holding device 3, the first engaging element 31 and the second engaging element 32 are tensioned towards each other using the tensioning lever 51. This means that when the front jaw 1 is in the position for descending, the receptacles 47 must lie in exactly the same position relative to the first holding device 3 as the position in which the openings are situated in the sole of the ski boot for the pins 31, 32 when the front jaw 1′ of FIG. 1 is used for ascending.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a front jaw 1 comprising the first holding device 3 and the second holding device 4 which is pivoted away from the first holding device 3 but connected to the first holding device 3. In this configuration, the front jaw 1 can be used for ascending. In order that the second holding device 4 does not unintentionally pivot towards the first holding device 3 in the process, the complementary holding elements 46c engage with the holding elements 91, 92 in order to detachably hold the second holding device 4 in the position shown and secure it against being unintentionally released.

(29) In this position, an abutting area 42a can be seen which a front end of the sole of the ski boot abuts when the ski boot is held in the binding designed for descending (FIG. 4), as well as a contact area 42 via which the ski boot retainer 44 lies on a free surface of a front end of the sole of the ski boot when the ski boot or, respectively, its front end is held in the second holding device 4 for descending.

(30) FIG. 4 shows the front jaw 1 in a configuration in which the front jaw 1 is ready to receive a ski boot for descending. The second holding device 4 is pivoted completely onto the first holding device 3, and the engaging elements 31, 32 of the first holding device 3 engage with the receptacles 47 on the second holding device 4 and thus secure the second holding device 4, in its position pivoted onto the first holding device 3, against being unintentionally released.

(31) FIG. 5 shows a section through the front jaw 1 of FIG. 4 along a central longitudinal axis BL of the binding. The spring element 9, which acts on the first ski boot retainer 43 and the second ski boot retainer 44 in order to press the ski boot retainers 43, 44 against the sole of the ski boot, can be seen for the first time here. The holding element 92, which co-operates with the complementary holding element 46c in order to secure the second holding device 4 in the position in which it is connected to and pivoted away from the first holding device 3, can also clearly be seen. The sectional view also shows an adjusting element 12, using which the bearing plate 7 can be adjusted with the aid of a tool.

(32) FIG. 6 shows another section through the front jaw 1, wherein, in this case, the second holding device 4 is pivoted completely onto the first holding device 3 and the engaging elements 31, 32 of the first holding device 3 are engaging with the receptacles 47 of the second holding device 4, as shown by the tensioned tensioning device 5. The abutting area 42a, which the front end of the sole of a ski boot held in the front jaw 1 abuts, is clearly shown here. In order that the engaging elements 31, 32 are not unintentionally released from the receptacles 47 in the configuration for descending, it is additionally necessary in the example embodiment shown to latch the engaging elements 31, 32 in the second position by actuating the tensioning lever 51, i.e. by moving the tensioning lever 51 away from the surface of the ski.

(33) FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the securing device 6 shortly before it is closed or shortly after it is opened. The second holding device 4 encompasses the joint axis A1, A2 and thus connects the second holding device 4 to the first holding device 3 in a positive fit. In order to prevent this positive-fit connection from being unintentionally released, the securing device 6 is then pressed in the direction of the arrow, such that the hook-shaped free end 61a of the securing arm 61 partially encompasses or grips below the joint axis A2 and thus prevents the second holding device 4 from being able to detach from the joint axis A2. In order to close the securing device 6, pressure is exerted on the molded part 64 manually or for example by means of the tip of a ski pole. In order to release the securing device 6 before separating the second holding device 4 from the first holding device 3, the reverse procedure is performed.

(34) FIG. 8 shows the front jaw 1 comprising an additional latching element 8 (FIG. 9). The latching element 8 comprises an abutting area 83 for the front end of a sole of the ski boot which in the example embodiment is arranged centrally between the first ski boot retainer 43 and the second ski boot retainer 44. The abutting area 83 protrudes in front of an abutting area 42a of the holding device body 41 counter to the skiing direction, such that the abutting area 83 of the latching element 8 comes into contact with the front end of the sole of the ski boot before the latter comes to rest on the abutting area 42a of the holding device body 41. The latching element 8 is movably mounted in the holding device body 41 of the second holding device 4, such that the latching element 8 can be moved in the skiing direction into the holding device body 41 from a release position into a latching position.

(35) The latching element 8 ensures that the engaging elements 31, 32 are not unintentionally released from the receptacles 47 in the configuration for descending, as long as a ski boot is situated in the front jaw 1. Additionally latching the engaging elements 31, 32 by actuating the tensioning lever 51, as described in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7, in the configuration for descending is therefore not necessary and accordingly also cannot be forgotten by the user.

(36) FIG. 9 shows how the latching element 8 comprises a latching body 81, a stud 82 which protrudes from the latching body 81, the abutment 83 and an area 84 which serves as a counter bearing for a spring element 11 which biases the latching element 8 into the release position. The latching body 81, the stud 82, the abutment 83 and the area 84, which forms an abutment area for a spring element 11 which biases the latching element 8 into the relaxing position shown in FIG. 9, are formed as a single part in the example embodiment, as can clearly be seen in FIG. 9 which shows a section through the front jaw 1 along the longitudinal axis BL of the jaw.

(37) If a user steps into the front jaw 1 of FIG. 8 wearing a ski boot, the front end of the sole of the ski boot initially comes into contact with the abutment 83 and displaces the latching element 8 in the skiing direction. This moves the stud 82 into a position in which it latches the tensioning device 5, i.e. prevents the tensioning device 5 or, respectively, the tensioning lever 51 from being able to be moved by hand or with the aid of the ski pole, in order to move the engaging elements 31, 32 of the first holding device 3 out of the receptacles 47 of the second holding device 4. This state, in which the latching element 8 has been moved into a latching position against the force of the spring element 11, is depicted in FIG. 10. The abutting area 83 of the latching element 8 and the abutting area 42a of the holding device body 41 are then in one plane, i.e. flush with each other. The stud 82 lies on a surface of the tensioning element 52 or directly above a surface of the tensioning element 52 facing it, such that the tensioning device 5 cannot be released.

(38) FIGS. 11 and 12 show another front jaw 1″ which exhibits an alternative solution to how the second holding device 4 can be connected to the base 2 such that it can be pivoted relative to the first holding device 3 in the longitudinal direction of the ski in order to change from a touring mode of the ski binding to a downhill mode. Two split pins 200 serve as connecting elements which are captively connected to the base 2 and can be moved from the first position shown in FIG. 11, in which they connect the second holding device 4 to the base 2 such that it can be pivoted, into the second position shown in FIG. 12, in which the second holding device 4 can be removed from the base 2, in order for example to reduce the weight of the ski for ascending in the touring mode. The split pins 200 are preferably moved into the first and second position by hand or less preferably with the aid of a tool. Each of the two split pins 200 comprises a snap ring 201 which secures it in the base 2, so that the split pin 200 does not unintentionally fall out of the guide in the base 2, wherein the movement of the split pin 200 can be a simple linear movement or a rotational movement, such as a screwing movement, or a combined movement in which the split pin 200 is linearly moved and is rotated either in the process or for example in one or both of its respective end positions in order to fix, i.e. secure, the split pin 200 in the respective end position in the base 2. The split pin 200 can be secured in the respective end position in a known way in a positive fit and/or force fit.

(39) In order to connect the second holding device 4 to the base 2, the split pin 200 protrudes through a part of an outer housing of the base 2, through the second holding device 4 and then into another part of the base 2 which is formed between the two connecting arms 45, 46 of the second holding device 4.

(40) Unlike the front jaw 1 of FIGS. 1 to 10, the front jaw 1″ of FIGS. 11 and 12 comprises a bracket 100 which grips over the end of the second holding device 4 which faces the ski boot in the downhill mode of the ski binding. The bracket 100 for example forms a reinforcing element for the second holding device 4 and can be used as a snow wiper in order to remove snow from the lower side of the sole of the ski boot before stepping into the binding.