Ultralight front jaw

Abstract

A front jaw for a touring ski binding, includes a base and at least one recess or transit opening in the base. Lateral sole retainers lie opposite each other in relation to a longitudinal axis of the front jaw each include a boot retainer pin and, in a pivoted-in state, co-operate with bearings formed on a ski boot, defining a pivoting axis for the boot extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front jaw, and are adjustable between the pivoted-in state, where the bearings of the boot engage the boot retainer pins, and a pivoted-away state where the bearings of the boot are not engaged with the boot retainer pins; spring elements for tensioning the lateral sole retainers; a tensioning lever for moving the sole retainers from the pivoted-in state to the pivoted-away state to release the ski boot from a downhill skiing position or a walking position.

Claims

1. A front jaw for a touring ski binding, comprising: a) a base; b) at least one recess or transit opening in the base; c) two lateral sole retainers which lie opposite each other in relation to a longitudinal axis of the front jaw and comprise a boot retainer pin each and which, in a pivoted-in state, co-operate with complementary bearings formed on a ski boot, in order to define a pivoting axis for the ski boot which extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front jaw, and which can be adjusted between the pivoted-in state, in which the complementary bearings of the ski boot engage with the boot retainer pins, and a pivoted-away state in which the complementary bearings of the ski boot no longer engage with the boot retainer pins; d) spring elements for tensioning the lateral sole retainers; and e) a tensioning lever for moving the sole retainers from the pivoted-in state to the pivoted-away state in which they release the ski boot from a downhill skiing position or a walking position; f) wherein the at least one recess or transit opening is covered by one or more covers, the respective cover manufactured as a separate part from the base.

2. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the cover or covers is/are detachably connected to the base.

3. The front jaw according to claim 2, wherein the respective cover is connected to the base in a positive fit and/or in a force fit.

4. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the base surrounds the recess or transit opening in the shape of a frame.

5. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the cover/covers comprises an at least substantially all-round circumferential edge on a lower side facing away from a ski boot sole, wherein said circumferential edge forms a contact area of the cover on an upper side of the recess or the surface of the ski facing the cover.

6. The front jaw according to claim 5, wherein the cover/covers comprises one or more additional rib-shaped reinforcements on the lower side facing away from the ski boot sole, wherein said reinforcement/reinforcements form(s) a contact area of the cover on an upper side of the recess or the surface of the ski facing the cover.

7. The front jaw according to claim 5, wherein regions of the cover/covers between the contact area of the circumferential edge and/or the one or more additional reinforcements form elastic membrane regions which prevent snow, ice or dirt from accumulating on the surface of the cover/covers.

8. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the front jaw comprises at least one abutment for a front end of a ski boot.

9. The front jaw according to claim 8, wherein the base forms a base structure for the abutment, and the abutment itself consists of an elastic material which is or can be connected to the base structure.

10. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the cover is held in position by the base when the front jaw is fitted on the ski.

11. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the cover has: a raised planar region comprising an upper free surface facing the ski boot sole; and a holding flange which protrudes outwards from the raised planar region; and wherein the raised planar region projects upwards from the holding flange and at least substantially fills the transit opening or recess in a plan view onto the front jaw.

12. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the base forms a constrainer for the cover and presses the cover towards and preferably against the upper side of the ski when the front jaw is fitted on the ski.

13. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein: the cover has a planar region comprising an elastically yielding membrane having an upper free surface facing the ski boot sole; said planar region at least substantially fills the transit opening or recess in a plan view onto the front jaw; the cover has a hollow space below the membrane or forms a hollow space below the membrane when the front jaw is fitted; and the membrane can yield into the hollow space.

14. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the recess or transit opening and the cover extend between the lateral sole retainers.

15. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the respective cover is made from an elastic material.

16. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the respective cover is moulded from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

17. The front jaw according to claim 1, wherein the base is moulded from a first plastic material, and the respective cover is moulded from another, second plastic material, and the second plastic material has a smaller Shore hardness than the first plastic material.

18. A front jaw for a touring ski binding, comprising: a base; at least one recess or transit opening in the base; two lateral sole retainers which lie opposite each other in relation to a longitudinal axis of the front jaw and comprise a boot retainer pin each and which, in a pivoted-in state, co-operate with complementary bearings formed on a ski boot, in order to define a pivoting axis for the ski boot which extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front jaw, and which can be adjusted between the pivoted-in state, in which the complementary bearings of the ski boot engage with the boot retainer pins, and a pivoted-away state in which the complementary bearings of the ski boot no longer engage with the boot retainer pins; spring elements for tensioning the lateral sole retainers; and a tensioning lever for moving the sole retainers from the pivoted-in state to the pivoted-away state in which they release the ski boot from a downhill skiing position or a walking position; wherein the at least one recess or transit opening is covered by one or more covers; wherein the cover/covers comprise(s) an at least substantially all-round circumferential edge and/or one or more rib-shaped reinforcements on a lower side facing away from a ski boot sole, wherein said circumferential edge and/or reinforcement/reinforcements form(s) a contact area of the cover on an upper side of the recess or the surface of the ski facing the cover; and wherein regions of the cover/covers between the contact area of the circumferential edge and/or the one or more reinforcements form elastic membrane regions which prevent snow, ice or dirt from accumulating on the surface of the cover/covers.

19. The front jaw according to claim 18, wherein the cover/covers is/are held in position by the base when the front jaw is fitted on the ski.

20. A front jaw for a touring ski binding, the front jaw comprising: a base; two lateral sole retainers which lie opposite each other in relation to a longitudinal axis of the front jaw and comprise a boot retainer pin each and which, in a pivoted-in state, are engaged with complementary bearings formed on a ski boot, in order to define a pivoting axis for the ski boot which extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the front jaw, and which can be adjusted between the pivoted-in state, in which the boot retainer pins are engaged with the complementary bearings of the ski boot, and a pivoted-away state in which the engagement is released; spring elements for tensioning the lateral sole retainers; a tensioning lever for moving the sole retainers from the pivoted-in state to the pivoted-away state in which they release the ski boot; an axial abutment which is arranged in front of the boot retainer pins in the latching direction and comprises a rearward abutting area for the sole of the ski boot, wherein a thermoplastic elastomer forms the abutment so that the abutment is elastically deformable.

21. The front jaw according to claim 20, wherein the base forms a base structure for the abutment, and the abutment itself consists of an elastic material which is or can be connected to the base structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, an example embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of figures, without thereby limiting the subject-matter to the example embodiment shown. Features essential to the invention which can only be gathered from the figures form part of the scope of the invention and can advantageously develop the subject-matter of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a front jaw in four views: a) a perspective view from the side; b) a plan view; c) a perspective view from above; d) a perspective view from above.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded drawing of the front jaw of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the front jaw of FIG. 1 along a longitudinal axis in the skiing direction.

(5) FIG. 4 shows in a perspective view onto a cover or snow deflector.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the cover and/or snow deflector of FIG. 4 in a perspective view from below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The four views in FIG. 1 all show the same one example embodiment of a toe retainer or front jaw in accordance with the invention, but from four different angles of view. The description does not therefore differentiate between the views a), b), c) and d). The views as a whole show all the reference signs, without the all reference drawings are given in each of the drawings.

(8) The toe retainer or front jaw of the example embodiment shown is the front jaw of a pin binding and comprises two sole retainers 13, each comprising a pin 14 which can engage with openings formed on a ski boot or, respectively, a ski boot sole, in order to connect a ski to the ski boot. When engaged with the ski boot, the pins 14 define a pivoting axis about which the ski boot, which is held in the front jaw, can be pivoted in a known way while walking or ski touring.

(9) The sole retainer 13 can be pivoted into a first position, in which it releases the ski boot, and into a second position in which it connects front jaws to the ski. The front jaw comprises two spring elements 15 which are respectively assigned exclusively to one of the sole retainers 13 in the example embodiment and which secure the sole retainer in the first and/or second position against being unintentionally released from the respective position.

(10) The sole retainers 13 are held such that they can be pivoted on the front jaw; in the example embodiment, they are held on an axial body 12, both ends of which are mounted in the base 1 of the front jaw. The sole retainers 13 can be pivoted together with the axial body 12 or on the axial body 12 which is mounted non-rotationally, for example in a positive fit, in the base 1, in order to move from the first position to the second position.

(11) A tensioning lever 16 is connected to the base 1, such that it can be pivoted about an axle 8. The tensioning lever 16 comprises a first free end 16a which protrudes along the longitudinal centre axis L of the front jaw towards a tip of the ski (not shown). A second free end 16b of the tensioning lever 16 extends between the ends of the spring elements 15 which lie opposite each other.

(12) The tensioning lever 16 is connected to a securing lever 17 in an additional pivoting axis or fixing axle 11, wherein the securing lever 17 prevents the tensioning lever 16 from being able to detach, such that the sole retainers 13 release the ski boot, when the binding is in the walking position.

(13) When stepping into the binding or front jaw, the tensioning lever 16 and the securing lever 17 form a common lever, the free end 17a of whichbeing the free end 17a of the securing lever 17 in the skiing directionhas a minimum perpendicular distance with respect to the surface of the ski. When stepping into the front jaw until the sole retainers 13 lock in for downhill skiing in the ski binding, the tensioning lever 16 and the securing lever 17 are jointly pivoted away from the surface of the ski boot. This position is shown in FIG. 1 and can be clearly seen in FIG. 1a. If the binding is then to be used in touring mode, it is desirable for the front jaw to be separately secured against unintentionally detaching. To this end, the securing lever 17 can be gripped at the front free end 17a and pulled upwards relative to the tensioning lever 16, away from the surface of the ski, until a locking element 17b, which is formed on the securing lever 17, locks into a locking portion 4a of a complementary locking element 4.

(14) When the tensioning lever 16 is moved into the downhill skiing position, the ends of the spring elements 15 facing the tensioning lever 16 are pressed upwards, and the two sole retainers 13 and the two pins 14 are thus moved towards each other and moved into engagement with the openings in the ski boot sole. When the tensioning lever 16 is in the downhill skiing position, it is advantageously possible to laterally release the toe retainer in the event of overload.

(15) The base 1 is constructed skeletally and, in the example embodiment, comprises a transit opening 2 which is surrounded by the base 1 in the shape of a frame. In the example embodiment, the transit opening 2 is completely covered by a cover 3 so that no snow, ice or dirt can collect in the transit opening 2. In order to connect the cover 3 to the base 1 captively, it can be glued or fused to it or connected in some other way in a material fit and/or in a force fit and/or in a positive fit. Preferably, however, the cover 3 is connected to the base 1 solely in a positive fit, wherein the lower side 1a of the base 1 comprises one or more receptacles 1b (see FIG. 3) for corresponding engaging members 3b (see FIG. 4) which form part of the cover 3. The cover 3 is connected to the lower side 1a of the base 1, and the base 1 is connected to the ski by means of connecting elements, for example screws.

(16) The front jaw also comprises an abutment 5 for a front end of the ski boot brine. The abutment 5 is in particular formed to be elastically deformable, in order to be able to compensate for production tolerances of the ski boot sole. In the example embodiment, the abutment 5 is formed in two parts 5a, 5b and the base 1 forms a base structure 6 to which the abutment 5a, 5b can be connected.

(17) The abutment 5a, 5b is preferably original-moulded in one piece with the cover 3, for example in an injection-moulding method in one mould together with the cover 3, and particularly preferably manufactured from an identical material to the cover 3. The abutment 5, 5a, 5b and the base structure 6 can be connected solely in a positive fit. The abutment 5 and the base structure 6 can instead also be connected in a force fit and/or in a positive fit and in a force fit.

(18) The surface 10 of the cover 3 can have snow-repellent, ice-repellent and/or dirt-repellent properties. These can be provided off-tool, i.e. in the die, and produced for example by specifically heating or cooling certain regions, or induced latterly for example by a heat treatment or other surface treatment, or generated by applying a coating.

(19) The front jaw of the example embodiment is in particular characterised in that it consistsaside from the attachment parts such as the sole retainers 13, the securing lever 17 and the tensioning lever 16of only two parts, namely the frame-shaped base 1 and the cover 3 comprising the moulded-on abutments 5a, 5b. Moreover, two relatively short spring elements 15 are sufficient in order to securely connect a ski to a ski boot via the sole retainers 13. The front jaw as a whole is a weight-optimised front jaw which exhibits a very low weight, which is advantageous particularly while ski touring uphill.

(20) FIG. 2 shows the components of the toe retainer of FIG. 1 in an exploded drawing.

(21) The tensioning lever 16 and the securing lever 17 are shown separately from each other and can be connected to each other via the fixing axle 11. The base 1 including the base structure 6 is original-moulded in one piece, as is the cover 3 comprising the abutments 5a, 5b, wherein the base 1 is formed from a solid material, for example a light metal or preferably plastic, for example a reinforced plastic, which exhibits similar properties. The cover 3, by contrast, is for example made of an elastic or highly elastic thermoplastic or an elastomer which remains sufficiently elastic even at temperatures of minus 15 C. or less, as are to be expected in snow sports. The cover 3 preferably consists of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as for example thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

(22) The end 16b of the tensioning lever 16 is formed in the shape of a fork. The fork-shaped end 16b protrudes around the setting elements 20, in order to adjust the sole retainers 13 in a region 20a.

(23) The securing lever 17 comprises the locking element 17b which can lock into a locking portion 4a of the complementary locking element 4 in order to secure the front bundle in the walking position.

(24) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the toe retainer of FIG. 1 in the position for downhill skiing, i.e. the tensioning lever 16 and the securing lever 17 still appear as a common lever. The locking element 17b is not locked in the locking portion 4a of the complementary locking element 4; the sole retainers 13 would connect a ski boot, placed in the toe retainer, to the ski. The tensioning lever 16 is connected to the securing lever 17 in an axle 19. A rolling body 18 can be rotatably arranged on the axle 19.

(25) The cover 3 is connected to the base 1, in a positive fit as is preferred though merely by way of example. Connecting grooves 1b are formed in the lower side 1a of the base 1, wherein an outer circumferential edge 3b of the cover 3 engages with the connecting grooves 1b. The lower side 3d of the cover 3 is flush with the lower side 1a of the base. The cover 3 forms depressions 3m, 3n which allow the cover 3 to act like a membrane in the region of the depressions 3m, 3n and can prevent and/or counteract the adhesion of snow or ice on a surface of the cover 3 facing the ski boot.

(26) In the example embodiment shown, the locking element 17b is guided along a linkage rail 4b comprising multiple elevations 4c, into the locking portion 4a of the complementary locking element 4. The locking element 17b can comprise a rolling body 18 (see FIG. 2) which is mounted on an axle 19 and rolls off on the linkage rail 4b when the locking element 17b moves along the linkage rail 4b, thus reducing a frictional resistance between the linkage rail 4b and the locking element 17b.

(27) FIG. 4 shows the cover 3 comprising the abutments 5a and 5b. The cover 3 comprises a planar region 3a which lies underneath the ski boot sole of a ski boot held in the binding. A groove 3c is formed next to an outer circumferential edge 3b. When the cover 3 is connected to the lower side 1a of the base 1, the circumferential edge 3b engages with the connecting grooves 1b formed in the base 1, in order to connect the cover 3 to the base 1 in a positive fit. When connected, the lower side 3d of the cover 3 is flush with the lower side 1a of the base 1 in the example embodiment (see FIG. 3).

(28) A longitudinal region 3e which extends to the front end of the base 1 in the skiing direction, and at least portions of which have the circumferential edge 3b and, in these portions, the groove 3c, is connected to the planar region 3a. In the portions 3f with no circumferential edge 3b, a sealing area 3g can be formed which abuts the lower side 1a of the base 1, forming a seal, when the front jaw is fitted onto the ski. The longitudinal region 3e of the example embodiment is sub-divided, at its free end, into two parts which protrude around the sides of the complementary locking element 4.

(29) The abutment 5 for the tip of the ski boot is formed at the transition between the planar region 3a and the longitudinal region 3e; in the example embodiment, the abutment 5 consists of the two abutments 5a and 5b. The abutments 5a, 5b project perpendicularly from a surface of the cover 3 facing away from the surface of the ski and each comprise an abutment root 5c, an abutment tip 5d and an connecting lug 5e comprising a transit opening 5f, through which the axial body 8 protrudes, such that the connecting lugs 5e are fixed between the base 1 and the tensioning lever 16, such that the abutments 5a, 5b are also substantially fixed relative to the base 1. At least the abutment root 5c has an edge 5g which corresponds to the circumferential edge 3b and, as already described, engages with a connecting groove of the base 1.

(30) In the example embodiment, the circumferential edge 3b and the groove 3c do not extend as far as the attaching root 5c but rather terminate before that, such that an opening 3h or, respectively, two openings 3h are created directly next to the abutments 5a, 5b. The base 1 can also have a cavity in the region of the openings 3h, such that a lower side 3d of the cover 3 is for example connected to the environment via these openings 3h, as is described in even more detail with respect to FIG. 5.

(31) FIG. 5 shows the cover 3 of FIG. 4 in a view from below. The planar region 3a and the longitudinal region 3e jointly form the cover 3. The planar region 3a has an all-round lower side edge region 3i which is formed on the lower side of the cover 3 in the region of the circumferential edge 3b and the groove 3c. The longitudinal region 3e likewise comprises the lower side edge region 3i. The lower side edge region 3i forms a contact area together with the ribs 3k, 3l in the planar region 3a and in the longitudinal region 3e in the example embodiment, wherein the cover lies on the surface of the ski over said contact area when the toe retainer is fitted. The lower side edge region 3i and the ribs 3k, 3l simultaneously form two depressions 3m, 3n in each of the planar region 3a and longitudinal region 3e, wherein said depressions 3m, 3n open downwardly towards the surface of the ski and are sealed upwardly by a thin layer of material of the cover 3 which acts like an elastic film.

(32) When the cover 3 is compressed by the ski boot, the air trapped in the depressions 3m, 3n can become compressed. When this compression is subsequently released, the air can expand again, preferably abruptly, such that the cover 3 elastically re-assumes its original shape prior to compression. This can preventbetter than beforeice or snow from being able to accumulate in the region of the contact 3.

(33) In the example embodiment, the lower side edge region 3i is narrow in the region of the openings 3h, such that if at least one of the depressions 3m becomes extremely compressed, such that the depression 3m could for example burst, air can flow out in this region and, when the compression is subsequently released, also flow back in.

(34) As can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cover 3 has a holding flange 3c adjoining the planar region 3a laterally on the outer side, i.e. the planar region 3a is raised and projects upwards from the lateral holding flange 3c. In the example embodiment, in which the base 1 has the transit opening 2, the planar region 3a protrudes into the transit opening 2 and at least substantially fills itin the example, as is preferred, completely and laterally abutting, and forming a seal in advantageous embodiments. When the front jaw is fitted on the ski, which is achieved by means of the fastening elements 9, the base 1 presses the cover 3 against the surface of the ski in the region of the holding flange 3c. For this purpose, the base 1 has one or more constraining structures 1c via which it acts on the holding flange 3c when fitted. The base 1 thus acts as a constrainer for the cover 3.

(35) In the fitted state, the depressions 3m and 3n and the ski form compressible hollow spaces which act as air cushions. The membrane regions, via which the cover 3 delineates these hollow spaces 3n and 3m upwardlytowards the lower side of the sole of a ski boot held in the front jawin the raised planar region 3a, can elastically yield into the respective hollow space 3m and/or 3n. The depth of the hollow spaces and/or depressions 3m and 3n, as measured orthogonally with respect to the lower side 3d of the cover 3, is at least 0.5 mm, or even better at least 1 mm, in advantageous embodiments. Conversely, it is advantageous if the depth is at most 10 mm, or even better at most 8 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(36) 1 base 1a lower side 1b receptacle, connecting groove 1c is constraining structure 2 transit opening 3 cover 3a planar region 3b engaging member, outer circumferential wall 3c holding flange, groove 3d lower side 3e longitudinal region 3f portion 3g sealing area 3h opening 3i lower side edge region 3k rib 3l rib 3m depression 3n depression 4 complementary locking element 4a locking portion 4b linkage rail 4c increase 5 abutment 5a abutment 5b abutment 5c abutment root 5d abutment tip 5e connecting lug 5f transit opening 5g edge 6 base structure 7 receptacle 8 axial body 9 fastening element 10 surface 11 fixing axle 12 axial body 13 sole retainer 14 pin, boot retainer pin 15 spring element 16 tensioning lever 16a free end 16b free end 17 securing lever 17a end 17b locking element 18 rolling body 19 axle 20 setting element 20a region L longitudinal axis of the front jaw