FRONT UNIT OF A TOURING SKI BINDING WITH A MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR CRAMPONS

Abstract

A fastening assembly for a ski crampon includes a hinge pin having a mounting portion and a securing portion. The mounting portion has a smaller dimension in a first direction and a larger dimension in a second direction, the first and second directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin. The securing portion has substantially the same dimension in the first and second directions. A mounting fastening portion defines a gap and an opening. The gap and the opening each extends substantially transversely to a ski longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the ski surface. The gap receives the mounting portion of the hinge pin, which is inserted through the opening. The dimension of the opening in the ski longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension of the mounting portion in the first direction and smaller than the dimension of the mounting portion in the second direction.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A fastening assembly for a crampon that is to be coupled to a ski, the fastening assembly comprising: at least one mounting fastening portion, wherein the at least one mounting fastening portion defines: a first gap which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to a ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with a ski surface, and which is configured for receiving a mounting portion of a hinge pin of a crampon, and a first opening which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is configured for insertion of the mounting portion of the hinge pin through the first opening, wherein the dimension of the first opening in the ski longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension of the mounting portion of the hinge pin in a first direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, and smaller than the dimension of the mounting portion of the hinge pin in the second direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin; and at least one securing fastening portion, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion defines: a second gap which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is intended for receiving a securing portion of the hinge pin, and a second opening which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is configured for insertion of the securing portion of the hinge pin through the second opening, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion is resiliently yielding at least in part, and wherein the dimension of the second opening in the ski longitudinal direction is smaller than the dimension of the securing portion of the hinge pin.

17. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two mounting fastening portions which are provided on a mounting fastening element.

18. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two second securing fastening portions which are provided on a securing fastening element.

19. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening assembly further comprises a centering portion designed for cooperating with a complementary portion provided on the hinge pin, in order to hold the hinge pin of the crampon in a central position with respect to a direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface.

20. The fastening assembly of claim 19, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two mounting fastening portions which are provided on a mounting fastening element, and wherein the centering portion is provided on the mounting fastening element.

21. The fastening assembly of claim 19, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two securing fastening portions which are provided on a securing fastening element, and wherein the centering portion is provided on the securing fastening element.

22. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one mounting fastening portion is made of a metal.

23. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion is made of a plastics material.

24. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two mounting fastening portions which are provided on a mounting fastening element, and wherein the securing fastening element is fastened to the mounting fastening element in an interlocking manner.

25. The fastening assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening assembly is coupled to a front unit of a touring ski binding mounted on the ski.

26. The fastening assembly of claim 25, wherein the fastening assembly comprises two mounting fastening portions which are provided on a mounting fastening element; and wherein the mounting fastening element comprises at least one fastening means for fastening to a base of the front unit.

27. The fastening assembly of claim 26, wherein the at least one fastening means is provided in the form of a hook which is designed for extending below and engaging behind a rib provided on the base of the front unit.

28. The fastening assembly of claim 25, wherein the at least one mounting fastening portion is formed integrally with a base of the front unit.

29. The fastening assembly of claim 25, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion is formed integrally with a base of the front unit.

30. The fastening assembly of claim 25, further comprising the crampon; wherein the crampon comprises the hinge pin, and wherein the mounting portion of the hinge pin, in the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, has a smaller dimension in the first direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, and a larger dimension in the second direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, wherein the securing portion of the hinge pin has substantially the same dimensions in the first and in the second direction.

31. A front unit of a touring ski binding comprising: a fastening assembly comprising at least one mounting fastening portion, wherein the at least one mounting fastening portion defines: a first gap which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to a ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with a ski surface, and which is configured for receiving a mounting portion of a hinge pin of a crampon, and a first opening which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is configured for insertion of the mounting portion of the hinge pin through the first opening, wherein the dimension of the first opening in the ski longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension of the mounting portion of the hinge pin in a first direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, and smaller than the dimension of the mounting portion of the hinge pin in the second direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin; and at least one securing fastening portion, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion defines: a second gap which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is intended for receiving a securing portion of the hinge pin, and a second opening which extends in the direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is configured for insertion of the securing portion of the hinge pin through the second opening, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion is resiliently yielding at least in part, and wherein the dimension of the second opening in the ski longitudinal direction is smaller than the dimension of the securing portion of the hinge pin.

32. The front unit of claim 31, further comprising a base; wherein the fastening assembly comprises two mounting fastening portions which are provided on a mounting fastening element; and wherein the mounting fastening element comprises at least one fastening means for fastening to the base of the front unit.

33. The front unit of claim 32, wherein the at least one fastening means comprises a hook which is designed for extending below and engaging behind a rib provided on the base of the front unit.

34. The front unit of claim 31, wherein the at least one mounting fastening portion is formed integrally with a base of the front unit.

35. The front unit of claim 31, wherein the at least one securing fastening portion is formed integrally with a base of the front unit.

36. The front unit of claim 31, further comprising the crampon; wherein the crampon comprises the hinge pin, and wherein the mounting portion of the hinge pin, in the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, has a smaller dimension in the first direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, and a larger dimension in the second direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, wherein the securing portion of the hinge pin has substantially the same dimensions in the first and in the second direction.

37. The front unit of claim 31, wherein the front unit is mounted on the ski.

Description

[0023] The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following, on the basis of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1a: is a perspective view of a crampon that is to be coupled to a fastening assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 1b: is a plan view of the crampon shown in FIG. 1a,

[0026] FIG. 1c: is a side view of the crampon shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b,

[0027] FIG. 2a: is a perspective view of a front unit according to the embodiment of the present invention that comprises the fastening assembly,

[0028] FIG. 2b: is a further perspective view of the front unit that comprises the fastening assembly and is shown in FIG. 2a,

[0029] FIG. 2c: is a plan view of the front unit shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b,

[0030] FIG. 2d: is a side view of the front unit shown in FIG. 2a to 2c,

[0031] FIG. 3a: is a perspective view of the fastening assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] FIG. 3b: is a further perspective view of the fastening assembly shown in FIG. 3a,

[0033] FIG. 3c: is a plan view of the fastening assembly shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b,

[0034] FIG. 3d: is a side view of the fastening assembly shown in FIG. 3a to 3c,

[0035] FIG. 4a: is a perspective view of a mounting fastening element of the fastening assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention,

[0036] FIG. 4b: is a plan view of the mounting fastening element shown in FIG. 4a,

[0037] FIG. 4c: is a side view of the mounting fastening element shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b,

[0038] FIG. 5a: is a perspective view of a securing fastening element of the fastening assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention,

[0039] FIG. 5b: is a plan view of the securing fastening element shown in FIG. 5a, and

[0040] FIG. 5c: is a side view of the securing fastening element shown in FIG. 5a and 5b.

[0041] FIG. 1a to 1c show a crampon 100 that is to be coupled to the fastening assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1a being a perspective view of the crampon 100, FIG. 1b being a plan view of the crampon 100, and FIG. 1c being a side view of the crampon 100.

[0042] The crampon 100 comprises a crampon body and a hinge pin 102. The crampon body comprises a support surface for being supported on a ski, and portions laterally angled therefrom, at the ends of which prongs for penetrating into snow or ice are provided. The angled portions can in particular be formed so as to be at an angle of approximately 90 with respect to the support surface. The crampon furthermore comprises the hinge pin 102, by means of which the crampon can be coupled to a fastening assembly 20 according to the invention (FIG. 3a to 3d). The hinge pin 102 comprises at least one mounting portion 132 and at least one securing portion 142. In the embodiment shown, the hinge pin 102 comprises two mounting portions 132 and two securing portions 142. The mounting portions 132 have a smaller dimension m.sub.1 in a first direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a larger dimension m.sub.2 in the second direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment shown, the first direction extends orthogonally to the support surface of the crampon and thus, in the mounted state, substantially orthogonally to a ski surface. The second direction extends orthogonally to the first direction and in parallel with the support surface of the crampon and with the ski surface. The first and second direction do not have to be orthogonal to one another, but must differ from one another. The securing portions 142 have substantially the same dimension s in the first and in the second direction. In the embodiment shown, the cross section of the securing portions 142 is circular and the cross section of the mounting portions 132 are substantially rectangular. The smaller dimension m.sub.1 of the mounting portions 132 in the first direction can be achieved in that, in the region of the mounting portions 132, the outer portions of the hinge pin 102 that is substantially circular over the remainder of the extension thereof, can be hollowed out, in particular milled out or removed in another manner.

[0043] The hinge pin 102 can be attached to the crampon body in a rotationally fixed manner, by means of screws, rivets, dowel pins, adhesive bonding, welding, interlocking connection, frictional connection, force fitting, or the like, or can be formed integrally with the crampon body.

[0044] Furthermore, the hinge pin 102 can comprise a centring portion 150 which can in particular be arranged in a centre of the hinge pin 102 and, in the embodiment of the invention, is formed as a notch 150, in which a complementary protrusion 50 (FIG. 2a to 5c), formed on the fastening assembly, can engage in order to retain the crampon 100 pivotably on the ski, and so as to be central with respect to a ski width.

[0045] FIG. 2a to 2d show a front unit 10 according to the embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 2a and 2b being perspective views of the front unit 10, FIG. 2c being a plan view of the front unit 10, and FIG. 2d being a side view of the front unit 10.

[0046] The front unit 10 comprises a base 12, arms, on which pins for coupling to a touring ski boot are provided, and an opening lever. The front unit 10 differs from conventional touring ski binding front units by a fastening assembly 20 which can be combined with front units for touring ski bindings of all kinds. The fastening assembly 20 comprises at least one mounting fastening portion 32 and at least one securing fastening portion 42. In the embodiment shown, the fastening assembly 20 comprises two mounting fastening portions 32 which are provided on a mounting fastening element 30, and two securing fastening portions 42 which are provided on a securing fastening element 40. The fastening assembly 20 will be discussed in greater detail in the following, with reference to FIG. 3a to 3d (fastening assembly 20). FIG. 4a to 4c (mounting fastening element 30 comprising mounting fastening portions 32), and FIG. 5a to 5c (securing fastening element 40 comprising securing fastening portions 42).

[0047] In the preferred embodiment shown, the mounting fastening element 30 of the fastening assembly 20 can comprise a fastening means 34 for fastening to the base 20 of the front unit. The fastening means 34 can be provided in the form of a hook 34 which can extend below and engage behind a rib 14 provided on the base 12. Alternatively, it is also possible to fasten the fastening assembly by means of binding mounting screws or by means of separately screwing the fastening assembly to the ski.

[0048] FIG. 3a to 3d show the fastening assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the invention in an assembled state, FIGS. 3a and 3b being perspective views of the fastening assembly 20, FIG. 3c being a plan view of the fastening assembly 20, and FIG. 3d being a side view of the fastening assembly 20.

[0049] FIG. 4a to 4c show the mounting fastening element 30 of the fastening assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the invention, comprising two mounting fastening portions 32, FIG. 4a being a perspective view of the mounting fastening element 30, FIG. 4b being a plan view of the mounting fastening element 30, and FIG. 4c being a side view of the mounting fastening element 30.

[0050] FIG. 5a to 5c show the securing fastening element 40 of the fastening assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the invention, comprising two securing fastening portions 42, FIG. 5a being a perspective view of the securing fastening element 40, FIG. 5b being a plan view of the securing fastening element 40, and FIG. 5c being a side view of the securing fastening element 40.

[0051] The fastening assembly 20 comprises the at least one mounting fastening portion 32 and the at least one securing fastening portion 42. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, as set out above with reference to FIG. 2a to 2d, the fastening assembly 20 comprises two mounting fastening portions 32 which are provided on the mounting fastening element 30, and two securing fastening portions 42 which are provided on the securing fastening element 40. Each of the mounting fastening portions 32 defines a gap 36 which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to a ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with a ski surface, and which is intended for receiving one of the mounting portions 132 of the hinge pin 102, in each case, and defining an opening 38 which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is intended for insertion of one of the mounting portions 132, in each case, of the hinge pin 102 through the opening 38. The dimension a.sub.m in the ski longitudinal direction of the opening 38 of each of the mounting fastening portions 32 is larger than the dimension m.sub.1 of each of the mounting portions 132 of the hinge pin 102 in the first direction, and smaller than the dimension m.sub.2 of each of the mounting portions 132 of the hinge pin 102 in the second direction, such that, in a particular angular position, in which the smaller dimension m.sub.1 of the mounting portion 132 passes through the opening 38, the hinge pin 102 can be inserted through the opening 38, into the crampon receptacle or the gap 36 defined by the mounting fastening portions 32.

[0052] Each of the securing fastening portions 42 defines a gap 46 which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is intended for receiving the securing portion 142 of the hinge pin 102, and defining an opening 48 which extends in a direction extending substantially transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and so as to be substantially in parallel with the ski surface, and which is intended for insertion of the securing portion 142 of the hinge pin 102 through the opening 48. In this case, each of the securing fastening portions 42 are resiliently yielding at least in part. The dimension a.sub.s is smaller, in the ski longitudinal direction of the opening 48 of each of the securing fastening portions 42 is smaller than the dimension s of the securing portion 142 of the hinge pin 102, such that the securing portions 42 of the hinge pin 102 can be inserted through the opening 48 into the crampon receptacle or the gap 46 defined by the securing fastening portions 42 by application of force, and a resulting deformation of the resiliently yielding securing fastening portions 42.

[0053] The securing fastening element 40 can be fastened to the mounting fastening element 30. In the preferred embodiment, the securing fastening element 40 can be fastened to the mounting fastening element 30 in an interlocking manner. An interlocking fit between the mounting fastening element 30 and the securing fastening element 40 can be achieved for example by means of projections on the mounting fastening element 30 which, as can be seen for example in FIG. 3c, can surround outer edges of the securing fastening element 40. An inverted arrangement is also possible.

[0054] The fastening assembly 20 can furthermore comprise a centring portion 50 which can cooperate with the complementary portion 150 provided on the hinge pin 102, in order to hold the hinge pin 102 of the crampon 100 in the central position, with respect to the direction extending transversely to the ski longitudinal direction and in parallel with the ski surface. The centring portion 50 can be provided on the mounting fastening element 30 or on the securing fastening element 40. In the embodiment shown, the centring portion 50 is provided on the securing fastening element 40 and is designed as a protrusion 50 which can engage in the complementary notch 150 formed on the hinge pin 102 of the crampon 100 (FIG. 1a to 1c) in order to hold the crampon 100 on the ski so as to be central and pivotable with respect to the ski width.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment, the mounting fastening element 30 can in particular be made of metal, and the securing fastening element 40 can in particular be made of plastics material.

[0056] In this way, in the preferred embodiment of the fastening assembly 20 a retainer for the crampon 100 is provided, which, due to the shaping and the material selection of the mounting fastening element 30 provides stable guidance for the hinge pin 102 of the crampon 100 and, due to the shaping and material selection of the securing fastening element 40 provides an additional clip-like receptacle for the hinge pin 102 of the crampon 100 into which the hinge pin 102 can be clipped. This makes it possible to prevent the possibility of the crampon 100 being able to be removed from the fastening assembly 20 without force being applied.

[0057] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not, however, restricted to this embodiment, and a number of modifications can be made thereto, without deviating from the scope of the invention.