SKI BRAKE

Abstract

A ski brake having two brake pins which can be moved from a non-fixed position to a fixed position in which the brake pins are held in a position to the side of the ski, including a brake housing, a pedal, a lever-like brake support which has a knob-like projection, and having a locking lever rotatably mounted on the brake housing and which can be moved into a lowered and a raised position. The locking lever is arranged on a locking bolt which is rotatably mounted on the brake housing and which can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the locking lever, on which at least one torsion spring. To establish the fixed position of the brake pins, the locking lever can be raised and in a second phase the locking bolt holds the brake support via the knob-like projection.

Claims

1. A ski brake having two brake pins which can be moved from a non-fixed position to a fixed position in which the brake pins run in a position to the side of the ski, furthermore having a brake housing, a pedal, a lever-like brake support which is pivotally mounted on the pedal and on the brake housing, presses the pedal into the raised position by means of a spring element and has a knob-like projection, and having a locking lever rotatably mounted on the brake housing behind the bearing of the brake support and which can be moved into a lowered and a raised position, wherein: the locking lever is arranged on a locking bolt which is rotatably mounted on the brake housing and which can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the locking lever, on which at least one pre-tensioned torsion spring is arranged in such a way that in order to establish the fixed position of the brake pins, in a first phase with the pedal raised, the locking lever can be raised while also turning the locking bolt and in a second phase by pressing down the pedal the knob-like projection of the brake support turns the locking bolt against the force of the torsion spring relative to the locking lever until it passes the locking bolt, the locking bolt then turns back under the action of the torsion spring and holds the brake support via the knob-like projection.

2. The ski brake according to claim 1, wherein at each end of the locking bolt a support element is formed, which cooperates with one stop surface, respectively, on the locking lever in order to prestress the torsion spring(s).

3. The ski brake according to claim 1, wherein the locking bolt has a notch in the centre for receiving the knob-like projection of the brake support, such that the brake support and the pedal can move freely in the lowered position of the locking lever.

4. The ski brake according to one of claim 1, wherein the locking lever is releasably snapped into place in both its lowered and raised position on the brake housing.

5. The ski brake according to claim 4, wherein the locking lever is respectively releasably snapped into a recess of the brake housing.

6. The ski brake according to claim 1, wherein the locking lever has a central part connecting side parts, which is provided with a recessed section by means of which the locking lever (8) is releasably snapped into recesses of the brake housing in its lowered position and in its raised position.

7. The ski brake according to claim 2, wherein the stop surfaces cooperating with the support elements of the locking bolt are formed on the side parts of the locking lever.

8. The ski brake according to claim 7, wherein the stop surfaces are formed within openings of the side parts which receive the support elements of the locking bolt.

9. The ski brake according to claim 6, wherein two torsion springs, which are torsion coil springs, are arranged on the locking bolt, one end of which is in each case suspended on the locking bolt and the second end of which, in each case with the locking bolt, projects through the brake housing and is held in the side part of the locking lever located there.

10. The ski brake according to claim 6, wherein the side parts of the locking lever are received in lateral formations of the brake housing.

11. The ski brake according to claim 6, wherein on each side part of the locking lever a tab is attached, from which an extension projects, which in the lowered position of the locking lever points towards the top of the ski.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the partly schematic figures showing exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the drawings,

[0015] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a ski brake coupled to a heel clamp in the non-fixed position of the brake pins with indicated actuation by means of a ski pole handle,

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the ski brake with the non-fixed position of the brake pins in a sectional view along the median plane of a ski (not shown) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski,

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of the ski brake including heel clamp,

[0018] FIG. 3a shows a detail of the ski brake with the non-fixed position of the brake pins in a sectional view according to the section plane marked by the line III-III in FIG. 3,

[0019] FIG. 4 is an oblique view showing details of the ski brake with raised locking lever,

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the ski brake in its position with the locking lever raised in a sectional view along the median plane of a ski (not shown) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski,

[0021] FIG. 6 shows the ski brake in an intermediate position when the pedal is pressed down and in a sectional view along the median plane of a ski (not shown) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski,

[0022] FIG. 7 shows the ski brake coupled to the heel clamp in side view after pressing down the pedal with a ski boot and in the fixed position of the brake pins, which are swung up to the side and

[0023] FIG. 8 shows the ski brake with the fixed position of the brake pins in a sectional view along the median plane of a ski (not shown) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The description and claims refer to a ski brake coupled to a heel clamp arranged on a ski, wherein the ski is not shown. The following terms referring to the ski are used:

[0025] Longitudinal direction of the ski: the longitudinal direction of the ski as seen from above.

[0026] Transverse direction: a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ski and parallel to the top of the ski when viewed from above.

[0027] Median plane of the ski: the plane running centrally in the longitudinal direction of the ski and perpendicular to the top of the ski.

[0028] Direction and position information or related terms such as top or bottom of components, forwards or backwards, up or down refer to the orientation of the components in question with respect to the ski, the top of the ski, the longitudinal direction of the ski, the transverse direction or the ski tip or the ski end.

[0029] The term fixed position of the brake pins means the fixed position of the brake pins on the side of the ski.

[0030] The term non-fixed position of the brake pins means a position in which the pedal is pressed or can be pressed into the raised position by spring force.

[0031] The heel clamp 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 together with a coupled ski brake 2 is arranged in particular in a manner known per se on a guide rail 1c fastened to the ski (not shown) and can be releasably fixed thereon in different longitudinal positions. The heel clamp 1 shown is one of the two binding clamps of an alpine downhill binding with safety release suitable for touring. The toe piece (not shown) is a piece suitable for touring, which can be moved to a position further forward for touring such that the ski boot can be lifted unhindered on the heel side.

[0032] The heel clamp 1, which is designed for a safety release, has a sole holder 1a, an opening lever 1b and a base housing 3 having a base part, which projects forward beyond the sole holder 1a, such that a brake housing 4 of the ski brake 2 can be positively but detachably connected to the base part in front of the sole holder 1a by means of engagement elements (not shown). Alternatively, the brake housing 4 is connected to the base housing 3 by means of screws.

[0033] The main components of the ski brake 2 are, as shown for example in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in addition to the aforementioned brake housing 4, a pedal 5, two brake pins 6, a rod-like brake support 7 and a locking lever 8. The two brake pins 6 are designed in particular in a manner known per se and have bearing sections 6a by means of which they are pivotally mounted on the brake housing 4. The brake pins 6 are hinged to the underside of the pedal 5 with end sections running in the transverse direction. In an alternative embodiment, the brake pins 6 are components of a one-piece brake arm, which is mounted with a U-shaped arm section on the underside of the pedal 5.

[0034] The brake support 7 is pivotally connected at one end to the rear of the end sections of the brake pins 6 and centrally to the underside of the pedal 5 by means of a bolt oriented in the transverse direction (not shown in the figures), while at its second end, the brake support 7 is pivotally connected to the brake housing 4 by means of a bolt 9 oriented in the transverse direction. A indentation formed centrally in the brake housing 4 accommodates the brake support 7 when the pedal 5 is depressed. A spring element 10 (FIG. 2) which is bent in the form of a bow and has a bent section and two lateral sections in the embodiment shown, a torsion spring in the example, presses the pedal 5 away from the brake housing 4 and is supported in a sliding manner on the underside of the pedal 5, surrounds the bolt 9 with windings and is supported by end sections on the brake housing 4.

[0035] The design of the locking lever 8 is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 4. The locking lever 8 is designed in the shape of a bow and has two lateral, preferably plate-shaped, side parts 8a, which are oriented in particular perpendicular to the top of the ski, and a central part 8b connecting them, which is provided with a recessed section 8c in the centre. A locking bolt 11, which is rotatably mounted on the brake housing 4 to the rear of the bolt 9, connects the two side parts 8a and thus ensures a rotatable mounting of the locking lever 8 on the locking bolt 11.

[0036] On each side part 8a of the locking lever 8, a tab 12 is attached, which points in the direction of the respective adjacent ski side and from which a short extension 12a protrudes, which in the non-fixed position of the brake pins 6 of the ski brake 2 (FIG. 1) points in the direction of the top of the ski. Each extension 12a allows the locking lever 8 to be grasped and pivoted upwards by means of the handle 13a of a ski pole 13. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, the handle 13a of the ski pole 13 is provided at its outer end with a gripping projection 13b having a groove 13c, such that the outer end of the extension 12a engages in the groove 13c and the locking lever 8 can be raised. Alternatively, the locking lever 8 can be raised manually.

[0037] As shown, for example, in FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 4, the locking bolt 11 passes with its ends laterally through the brake housing 4 and then through the side parts 8a of the locking lever 8 and is seated with one support element 16, respectively, which is semicircular in plan view of the side parts 8a as an end section in an outer opening 17 of each side part 8a. The support element 16 has a flat boundary surface along the chord of the circle, which forms a support surface 16a. Each opening 17 is delimited by an inner wall which, in plan view extends from the side part 8a over a circular section of, for example, approximately 300 adapted to the support element 16, such that the inner wall ends at a flat stop surface 17a adapted to the support surface 16a and an end surface 17b delimiting the freedom of movement of the support element 16 within the opening 17. In an alternative embodiment, the stop surface 17a is formed on a web or the like projecting from the inner wall. The embodiments of the support element 16 and the opening 17 are coordinated with one another in such a way that, when the locking bolt 11 is rotated and the locking lever 8 is actuated, as will be described later, the support element 16 is supported with its support surface 16a on the stop surface 17a.

[0038] In the non-fixed position (FIG. 1) of the brake pins 6 of the ski brake 2 and in the downhill position with the ski boot inserted and the pedal 5 pressed down, formations on the brake housing 4 ensure that the locking lever 8 does not protrude beyond the top of the brake housing 4. The side parts 8a of the locking lever 8 are located in lateral formations of the brake housing 4, the central part 8b is located in further formations formed on the brake housing 4. As the sectional view in FIG. 2 shows, the recessed section 8c formed on the central part 8b of the locking lever 8 is, in the non-fixed position, releasably snapped into a recess 4a on the brake housing 4 adapted to the recessed section 8c. In its raised position (FIG. 5), the locking lever 8 snaps releasably into a further recess 4b formed in front of the recess 4a on the brake housing 4 and adapted to section 8c.

[0039] On the inside of each side part 8a of the locking lever 8, one respective torsion coil spring 14 is arranged under pretension on the locking bolt 11, one end of which, located on the inside of the bolt, is suspended on the locking bolt 11 and the second end of which projects with the locking bolt 11 through the brake housing 4 and is supported on the inner edge of an indentation 18 formed on the outer circumference of the respective side part 8a.

[0040] As shown, for example, in FIG. 4 and the sectional views in FIGS. 2 and 5, the locking bolt 11 has a central section 11a, which in the example has a larger diameter than the adjoining sections, on which a notch 15 is formed, which forms a clearance on the circumference of the locking bolt 11 and interacts with a knob-like projection 7a on the lower or rear end region of the brake support 7 in a manner yet to be described. The knob-like projection 7a is formed at the level of the bolt 9 of the brake support 7 and points backwards when the pedal 5 is pivoted up (FIG. 1) and upwards when the pedal 5 is lowered (FIG. 8).

[0041] In the non-fixed position of the brake pins 6 of the ski brake 2 shown in FIG. 2, the notch 15 faces the knob-like projection 7a, which is located outside the indentation 18. The support surfaces 16a of the support elements 16 of the locking bolt 11 lie on the stop surfaces 17a. When the pedal 5 is pressed down and the brake support 7 is accordingly lowered, for example by a ski boot inserted into the ski binding, the position of the locking bolt 11 remains unchanged and the knob-like projection 7a moves freely within the notch 15. This ensures that the pedal 5 can be pressed down without hindrance. If the ski boot comes free from the ski binding, for example as a result of a fall or by opening the heel clamp 1, the pedal 5 can return to the raised position under the action of the spring element 10 and the brake pins 6 can take effect.

[0042] For touring, the toe piece of the ski binding is moved to its more forward position such that the heel clamp does not hinder the movement of a ski or touring boot 19 (FIG. 7) inserted into the toe piece.

[0043] The brake pins 6 of the ski brake 2 are fixed for touring in two phases. In the first phase, the locking lever 8 is raised or swung upwards by hand or by means of a ski pole handle, as described, while the pedal 5 is still raised. The locking bolt 11 rotates with the support of its support surface 16a on the stop surface 17a, there is no relative movement between the locking bolt 11 and the locking lever 8, the torsion coil springs 14 retain their preload. However, when pivoting upwards, the snap connection between the locking lever 8 and the brake housing 4 (recess 4a) is released, wherein after a rotation of, for example, around 75, the locking lever 8 snaps into the recess 4b of the brake housing 4. This position is shown, for example, in FIG. 5. As a result of the locking bolt 11 rotating, the position of the notch 15 on the central section 11a of the locking bolt 11 has changed relative to the knob-like projection 7a of the brake support 7, such that the knob-like projection 7a of the brake support 7 can no longer move past the central section 11a.

[0044] In the second phase, the pedal 5 together with the brake support 7 is pressed down with the sole of the ski or touring boot inserted in the toe piece, whereby the knob-like projection 7a of the brake support 7 engages the locking bolt 11 within the notch 15 (FIG. 6 shows this intermediate position), the locking bolt 11 in the position according to FIG. 6 rotates slightly clockwisefor example, by around 35and with a brief increase in the tension of the torsion coil springs 14, finally snaps over the one outer edge of the indentation 18, wherein the locking bolt 11 subsequently rotates back to its position after the end of the first phase under the effect of the torsion coil springs 14 relaxing again and the locking bolt 11 engages the knob-like projection 7a from the side below and thereby fixes the brake support 7 (FIG. 8), such that the brake pins 6 are located in their fixed position to the side of the ski. At the end of the second phase, the support surfaces 16a are again in contact with the stop surfaces 17a, and the torsion coil springs 14 are again preloaded as originally. FIG. 7 shows the position of the ski brake 2 with the brake pins 6 in their fixed position, wherein the heel part of a ski or touring boot 19 is also shown.

[0045] To release the fixed position of the brake pins 6 of the ski brake 2, the locking lever 8 is pressed into its lowered position by hand or with a ski pole handle, wherein the stop surfaces 17a engage the support surfaces 16a and rotate the locking bolt 11 until the knob-like projection 7a and thus the brake support 7 are released, whereby the pedal 5 is returned to its raised position under the action of the spring element 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0046] 1 heel clamp [0047] 1a sole holder [0048] 1b opening lever [0049] 1c guide rail [0050] 2 ski brake [0051] 3 base housing [0052] 4 brake housing [0053] 4a, 4b recess [0054] 5 pedal [0055] 6 brake pin [0056] 6a bearing section [0057] 7 brake support [0058] 7a knob-like projection [0059] 8 locking lever [0060] 8a side part [0061] 8b central part [0062] 8c recessed section [0063] 9 bolt (for brake support) [0064] 10 spring element [0065] 11 locking bolt [0066] 11a central section [0067] 12 tab [0068] 12a extension [0069] 13 ski pole [0070] 13a handle [0071] 13b gripping projection [0072] 13c groove [0073] 14 torsion coil spring [0074] 15 notch [0075] 16 support element [0076] 16a support surface [0077] 17 opening [0078] 17a stop surface [0079] 17b end surface [0080] 18 indentation [0081] 19 ski or touring boot