BINDING FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKI EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A BINDING

Abstract

A cross-country ski binding intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting member, has a base with a receiving portion configured to receive the connecting member, and a holding element movable between an engaged position in which it prevents the connecting member from exiting the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow insertion and removal of the connecting member in the receiving portion. The holding element is carried by a mechanism allowing its rotation with respect to a vertical axis, in which the holding element has two protruding portions oriented in opposite directions, arranged to cover the connecting member when the holding element is in the engaged position, such that the protruding portions are moved in opposite directions of the longitudinal direction between the engaged and retracted positions.

Claims

1- A cross-country ski binding intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting member located in a front part, said binding comprising: a base extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a receiving portion configured to receive said connecting member, and a holding element movable between an engaged position in which it prevents an exit of said connecting member from the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow insertion and removal of said connecting member in the receiving portion, wherein the holding element is carried by a mechanism allowing rotation of said holding element with respect to an axis of rotation about a vertical axis, wherein the holding element comprises two protruding portions oriented in opposite directions, arranged to cover the connecting member when the holding element is in the engaged position, such that said protruding portions are moved in opposite directions of the longitudinal direction between the engaged and retracted positions.

2- The binding according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is formed by two hooks arranged to receive the connecting member between them and each having an end portion each forming one of the protruding portions, such that in the engaged position, the end portions are moved closer to one other to be arranged above the connecting member when the connecting member is received between the hooks, and in the retracted position, the end portions are spaced apart from one other to allow passage of the connecting member between the end portions.

3- The binding according to claim 2, wherein the hooks respectively have first portions rising vertically up to the end portions in such a way that, in the engaged position, the first portions are arranged on either side of the connecting member, close to the connecting member, and, in the retracted position, the first portions are arranged on either side of the connecting member, at a distance from the connecting member.

4- The binding according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the end portion of each of the hooks extends in a horizontal plane.

5- The binding according to claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is arranged between the two protruding portions.

6- The binding according to claim 2, wherein the hooks are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis.

7- The binding according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion has two grooves, the grooves being formed in walls extending vertically and longitudinally.

8- The binding according to claim 7, wherein the base has an internal recess inside which a hook moves when it moves from an engaged position to a retracted position.

9- The binding according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is connected to an operating member, the movement of which causes the holding element to move from the engaged position to the retracted position.

10- The binding according to claim 2, wherein the mechanism comprises a substantially horizontal plate, mounted mobile in rotation about the vertical axis on the base, said plate carrying the hooks.

11- The binding according to claim 10, wherein the plate comprises an arm intended to be connected to the operating member, the rotation of the arm and of the plate about said vertical axis causing the rotation of the hooks.

12- The binding according to claim 10, wherein the mechanism comprises two fins extending in the plane of the plate, symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation.

13- The binding according to claim 1 wherein the binding comprises return means configured to exert a return force on the mechanism forcing the latter to remain in an engaged position.

14- The binding according to claim 9, wherein the operating member is fixed at the end of the arm.

15- The binding according to claim 9, wherein the operating member is mounted mobile in transverse translation with respect to the base and cooperates mechanically with the end of the arm so that its translation causes the arm to rotate.

16- The binding according to claim 10, wherein the arm extends towards the front of the binding and the operating member is positioned on the front of the binding.

17- The binding according to claim 9, wherein the operating member has locking means making it possible to block the arm in a position in which the holding element is in the engaged position.

18- The binding according to claim 17, wherein the locking means comprise a portion mobile in translation with respect to the end of the arm, and capable of cooperating with an area of the rest of the binding to block the rotation of the arm.

19- The binding according to claim 2, wherein the hooks have, in the upper part, inclined ramps which make it possible to move the hooks from the engaged position to the retracted position when the connecting member of the boot exerts a downward force on these ramps, at the time of fitting.

20- A cross-country ski equipped with a binding according to claim 1.

21- The cross-country ski according to claim 20, wherein the cross-country ski comprises a plate fixed to the upper surface of the cross-country ski on which the position of the binding is adjustable in longitudinal translation.

22- A cross-country ski binding intended to receive a boot equipped with a connecting member located in a front part, said binding comprising: a base extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a receiving portion configured to receive said connecting member, and a holding element movable between an engaged position in which it prevents an exit of said connecting member from the receiving portion, and a retracted position, in which the receiving portion is open to allow insertion and removal of said connecting member in the receiving portion, wherein the holding element is carried by a mechanism allowing rotation of said holding element with respect to an axis of rotation about a vertical axis, wherein the holding element is formed by two hooks having each an end portion, the end portions of the two hooks being oriented in opposite directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The way to implement the invention, as well as the advantages which result from this, will emerge from the description of the embodiments below, in support of the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a top view representation of a cross-country ski, the cross-country ski comprising a ski binding according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0035] FIG. 2 is a bottom view representation of a cross-country ski boot having a connecting member configured to be held in the ski binding of the cross-country ski of FIG. 1,

[0036] FIG. 3 is a brief perspective view of the ski binding according to the first embodiment of the invention,

[0037] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the binding of FIG. 1, in which the different constituent elements are shown separately,

[0038] FIG. 5 is a brief perspective view of the part carrying the characteristic hooks of the binding of FIG. 1,

[0039] FIGS. 6 and 7 are detailed top and side views respectively of the connection area of the boot axis on the binding of FIG. 3, shown in the engaged position,

[0040] FIGS. 8 and 9 are top and side detailed views respectively of the connection area of the boot axis on the binding of FIG. 3, shown in the retracted position,

[0041] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the binding of FIG. 3, shown in an engaged position,

[0042] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the part carrying the characteristic hooks according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0043] FIGS. 12 and 13 are top views of a binding incorporating the part of FIG. 11, shown in the engaged-locked and retracted-unlocked position respectively,

[0044] FIG. 14 is a simplified side view of the main parts operating for locking the arm of the part of FIG. 11.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] FIG. 1 represents a cross-country ski 40 extending between a tip 41 and a heel 42 and comprising, in a median part between the tip 41 and the heel 42, a binding 1 for a ski boot 45, a sole of which is visible in FIG. 2.

[0046] For the remainder of the description, the longitudinal direction is understood as the direction parallel to that of the ski intended to receive the binding, or the horizontal direction in the median plane of symmetry of the binding. The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to this median plane of symmetry, and the vertical direction is that which is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and which is perpendicular to the plane of the lower face of the base.

[0047] The binding 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 consists of a plate 2 secured to the upper face of the ski, and comprising rails 6 allowing the mounting of a base 3 extending in the longitudinal direction and to which the boot 45 is secured. The adjustment of the base 3 can be carried out as illustrated in FIG. 3 by a part 4 making it possible to index the position of the base 3 with respect to the plate, and thus to precisely adjust the position of the binding area of the boot with respect to the ski, which is not directly related to the invention.

[0048] In its front part, the binding 1 and more precisely the base 3 of the binding 1 comprises the area intended to receive the connecting member 46 of the boot 45. This connecting member 46 is preferably an axis 47, which corresponds to the transverse front axis of the boot 45. This transverse front axis of the boot 45 may be located in front of the front end of the sole or, as shown, under the sole in the front area of the sole, or else this axis may be separated into two axis portions which may protrude laterally from the boot 45.

[0049] More precisely, this area of the binding intended to receive the front axis 47 of the boot 45 comprises two walls 13, 14 substantially in the extension of the vertical walls 8, 9 extending over the entire length of the binding, these walls being intended to penetrate complementary grooves 48, 49 under the sole of the boot 45. In the binding area of the axis 47 of the boot 45, these walls 13, 14 have a profile of greater height, and comprise at their centre a groove 15, 16 intended to receive the axis 47 of the boot 45 and block it longitudinally. The grooves 15, 16 form the receiving portions within the meaning of the invention. Between the two walls 13, 14, and in front of the grooves 15, 16, there is an elastomeric element 10 configured to come into contact with the extreme front part of the boot 45, and serve as a return spring, or even as a shock absorber during the lifting movements of the heel of the boot 45. The inner faces of the grooves 15, 16 located in the extension of the inner faces of the walls 13,14 are closed respectively by a hook 17, 18 more easily visible in FIG. 4.

[0050] In front of the shock absorber 10, the base 3 has a recess 21 inside which an operating member 20 accessible to the user is inserted to actuate the opening or closing of the binding. More precisely, and as can be seen in FIG. 4, this operating member 20 is inserted at the end 31 of the arm 30 of the part 50 carrying the holding elements intended to hold the axis 47 of the boot 45 in the binding 1, these holding elements consisting more precisely of the characteristic hooks 17, 18. This connection can be made by force-fitting, possibly combined with the installation of a fixing screw through the hole 22 in the lever, which passes through the hole 32 in the end 31 of the arm. The assembly consisting of the arm 30 of the part 50 and the operating member 20 forms an actuating lever making it possible to open the binding, either to release the boot 45 by allowing the axis 47 of the boot 45 to leave the grooves of the binding by an upward lifting movement, or to give access to the grooves so that the axis 47 of the boot 45 can be positioned at the bottom of these grooves for fitting the boot 45. This actuating lever is therefore a release lever, or even a fitting lever.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mechanism 50, carrying the characteristic hooks 17, 18, is in the general form of a plate 52 which is mounted mobile in rotation on the base 3 of the binding, about an axis of rotation extending along a vertical axis Z. Certain areas of this plate 52 have been folded to get out of its plane. Mention may in particular be made of the hooks 17, 18 which extend transversely and symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis Z, and therefore with respect to the central recess 54 which is centered on this vertical axis Z and which ensures the rotation of this part with respect to the rest of the binding. The central portion 54 of the plate 52 has a central passage hole for the passage of a mounting screw (not shown) under the base 3 and this same central portion is embossed upwards to house the head of this screw. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the hooks 17, 18, arranged on either side of the axis of rotation, each have a first portion 63, 61 for connection to the plate, rising vertically up to an end portion 62, 64 extending opposite the plate. In particular, the first portions 61, 63 are arranged to define a space in which the axis 47 of the boot can be received. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portions 61, 63 are arranged such that, in an engaged position, the axis 47 of the boot 45 extending in a transverse plane passing through the vertical axis Z, the first portions 61, 63 are arranged on either side of the transverse plane, one being offset towards the rear and the other towards the front. In addition, the end portions 62, 64 of the hooks 17, 18 are oriented in opposite directions, one towards the front, for the hook the first portion 61, 63 of which is offset towards the rear, and the other towards the rear, for the hook the first portion 61, 63 of which is offset towards the front. Each of the hooks 17, 18 may have at least a portion of its end portion 62, 64 that extends in a horizontal plane.

[0052] In the engaged position, the first portions 61, 63 are thus arranged on either side of the axis 47 of the boot 45 in the longitudinal direction, close to the axis 47 of the boot 45, if necessary in contact with the latter, preventing the exit of the axis 47 in both directions of the longitudinal direction but also limiting or even preventing a rotation of the axis 47 along the vertical axis Z. The end portions 62, 64 of the hooks 17, 18, for their part, are moved closer to one another with respect to the longitudinal direction to be arranged above the axis 47, if necessary in contact with the latter, preventing the exit of the latter along the vertical axis Z. The plate can be pivoted along the vertical axis Z to a retracted position in which the hooks 17, 18 are moved away from the transverse plane passing through the vertical axis Z in which the axis 47 extends to allow passage of the axis 47 in the direction of insertion or removal of the axis 47. In the retracted position, one of the hooks 17 is moved towards the front of the binding 1 while the other hook 18 is moved towards the rear of the binding 1. The first portions are then arranged on either side of the axis 47 of the boot 45, at a distance from the latter, and the end portions 62, 64 are moved away from one another with respect to the longitudinal direction to allow the axis 47 of the boot 45 to pass between them.

[0053] The end portions 62, 64 thus form two protruding portions oriented in opposite directions, arranged to cover the axis 47 of the boot 45 when the holding element is in the engaged position and between which the axis of rotation is arranged such that said protruding portions are moved in opposite directions of the longitudinal direction between the engaged and retracted positions.

[0054] The invention described with protruding portions formed by end portions of hooks is however not limited to such an embodiment.

[0055] The end portions 62, 64 of the hooks 17, 18 may have a triangular profile, or more generally inclined slopes such that when the axis 47 of the boot 45 is not totally at the bottom of the groove, a lower slope pushes the axis 47 towards the inside of the groove. Furthermore, the end portions 62, 64 of the hooks 17, 18 have, at the top, inclined ramps 65, 66 which make it possible to move the hooks 17, 18 from the engaged position to the retracted position when the axis 47 of the boot exerts a downward force on these ramps, at the time of fitting. Furthermore, if the hook is not sufficiently advanced towards the bottom of the groove, the upper slope formed by the ramp of the end portion pushes the axis 47 outwards at the time of closing the hook of the groove, to avoid jamming. This same upper slope is inclined so that it facilitates fitting by allowing the hook to move back when fitting. When the user presses with the axis 47 of his boot on this inclined upper slope, the hooks 17, 18 automatically tilt and release the entrance of the grooves to allow the axis 47 of the boot 45 to descend to the bottom of the grooves, until the hooks 17, 18 can resume their initial positions by covering the axis 47 of the boot 45 and trapping the axis 47 of the boot 45 at the bottom of the grooves to ensure the retention of the boot 45.

[0056] In practice, the hooks 17, 18 are transversely spaced apart by a distance d, which is between 15 mm and 30 mm, preferably close to about 20 mm.

[0057] Furthermore, the plate 52 also comprises two protuberances 56, 58 which extend transversely, to come into contact with the plate 2 and the base 3 of the binding, in order to rigidify this plate 52 and to ensure a rotation of the part 50 without deformation.

[0058] In the form illustrated in FIG. 5, one of the hooks 18 has, towards the rear, a protuberance 59 intended to receive the support of a return spring visible in FIG. 10 and which will be described later. The arm 30 of the part 50 is slightly offset on one side of the part with respect to its median longitudinal plane, in order to allow its end 31 to remain accessible and not to protrude too much laterally when the arm 30 is pivoted about the vertical axis Z. As already mentioned, the arm 30 has its end 31 slightly raised with respect to the main part of the arm, so as to be able to fit into the housing provided for this purpose in the operating member 20.

[0059] The operation of the device is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operating member 20 is located in the left half of the base 3 of the binding (when looking at the top of the ski towards its tip 41), and the hooks 17, 18 are in the engaged position, i.e. they prevent the axis 47 from exiting the groove 15, 16, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In the engaged position of the hooks, the binding is in the closed position.

[0060] When the operating member 20 is pivoted laterally, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the arm 30 is driven in rotation and consequently, the part 30 as a whole, driving in rotation the rotary plate 52 and therefore also the hooks 17, 18. These hooks 17, 18 are therefore in the retracted position where the grooves 15, 16 are released, and allow the introduction (or the exit) of the axis 47 of the boot 45. In the retracted position of the hooks, the binding is therefore in the open position.

[0061] As an indication, the rotation of the arm 30 making it possible to move from the engaged position to the retracted position corresponds to an angle of approximately 30 to 50, preferably 40.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows the return means that make it possible to force the return of the binding to an engaged or closed position. More precisely, the base 3 of the binding has, on the lower face, a housing 71 inside which is placed a return spring 70 operating in compression. One end 72 of this spring 70 bears on a wall 73 of the housing 70 situated on a lateral side of the binding. On the other lateral side, the other end 74 of the spring 70 comes into contact with the portion 59 of the part 50. In this way, when the arm 30 is moved in the direction of arrow O, in the direction of opening the binding, the spring 70 is compressed and the binding is in the open position. When the user releases the arm 30, the spring 70 relaxes, and causes the rotation of the arm in the direction of the arrow F, in the direction of the closing of the binding, causing the closing of the binding.

[0063] Furthermore, the binding can be fitted automatically, without the need to manually actuate the lever formed by the operating member 20 and the arm 30, since the hooks have upper slopes or fitting slopes 65, 66 formed by the ramps. Indeed, by downward support of the axis 47 of the boot 45 on these fitting slopes, the hooks 17,18 are retracted and pivot about the vertical axis Z and leave the passage for the axis 47 of the boot 45 so that it can descend vertically in the grooves 15,16.

[0064] FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrate an improved form of the invention, in which the movement of the arm can be locked in a position in which the grooves 17, 18 are closed, preventing the unexpected exit of the axis 47 from the boot 45. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the lever 100 mounted at the end of the arm 30 has a portion 103, which is fitted on the end 31 of the arm 30, with a certain freedom of movement conferred by the ability of the cleat 106 to move in the slot 105 provided in the end 31 of the arm 30.

[0065] Thus, when the binding passes from the engaged configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, to the open configuration of FIG. 13, the operating member is translated to the right (looking towards the front of the binding), sliding between the front and rear edges of the recess 21. In doing so, the cleat 106 causes the arm 30 to rotate, and it shifts in the slot 105. The translation of the operating member is thus converted into rotation of the mechanism 50 carrying the hooks.

[0066] In addition, this lower part 103 supports an upper part 101 which is capable of sliding longitudinally with respect to the part 103, thanks to the slot 104 in which the lateral lug 108 is inserted. The upper part 101 of the part 100 can thus move back and forth, and it has a protuberance 102 positioned at the rear. This protuberance can come into a recess 110 provided on the upper part of the binding, at the periphery of the recess 21 inside which the operating member 100 can move. In the position illustrated in FIG. 12, the part 101 is retracted, thus making it possible to lock the operating member 100 by preventing it from moving laterally. In this configuration, the arm 30 cannot move unexpectedly, and the binding is kept locked in the engaged position, preventing the axis 47 of the boot 45 from exiting the binding 1.

[0067] In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, the part 110 has been moved forward, causing the protuberance 102 to exit the housing 110, thereby allowing lateral movement of the operating member 20. This movement thus causes the part 50 to rotate, and retracts the hooks 17, 18, thus releasing the entry of the grooves 15, 16 and allowing the exit of the entry of the axis 47 of the boot 45.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, a recess 115 may be provided to house the protuberance 102 when the hooks are in the retracted position, if it is desired to also lock the binding in this position.

[0069] Moreover, it will not go beyond the scope of the invention if the mechanism 50 is replaced by any other mechanism making it possible to activate members similar to the hooks 17, 18 by driving them in rotation, simultaneously.

[0070] It emerges from the above that the binding according to the invention has a simplified mechanical design while allowing a significant clearance of the hooks which hold the axis 47 of the boot 45, thus inducing a high level of reliability.