HEEL PIECE FOR A SKI BINDING

Abstract

A heel piece for a ski binding. The heel piece includes: base plate which is adapted to be fastened, for example screwed, to an upper side of a ski; a base body which is fastened to the base plate and pivotably mounts a heel retainer; and a ski brake including two brake arms. The base plate pivotably mounts the brake arms and forms a contact surface for the sole of a ski boot.

Claims

1. A heel piece for a ski binding, the heel piece comprising: a base plate which is adapted to be fastened, for example screwed, to an upper side of a ski; a base body which is fastened to the base plate and pivotably mounts a heel retainer; and a ski brake comprising two brake arms, wherein the base plate pivotably mounts the brake arms and forms a contact surface for the sole of a ski boot.

2. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base body can be shifted in a longitudinal direction in relation to the ski brake and the base plate and/or the ski brake cannot be shifted in a longitudinal direction in relation to the base plate.

3. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base body encompasses the base plate, wherein the base plate for example comprises a first guide portion which is in particular an elongated guide portion and a second guide portion which is in particular an elongated guide portion, and a first guide element of the base body encompasses the first guide portion and a second guide element of the base body encompasses the second guide portion.

4. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the ski brake comprises an actuating plate, the upper side of which is embodied such that it is pressed downwards or towards the ski by the sole of the ski boot when a user steps into the heel piece, thus pivoting the brake arms from a braking position to a travelling position.

5. The heel piece according to claim 4, wherein the sole of the ski boot, in particular the lower side of the sole of the ski boot, rests against the contact surface when the brake arms are in the travelling position.

6. The heel piece according to claim 4 , wherein the brake arms are formed by a shaped wire part which is mounted on the actuating plate such that it can rotate about a first rotational axis, wherein the first rotational axis is for example arranged in front of the front end of the base plate when the brake arms are in the travelling position or the actuating plate is pressed downwards.

7. The heel piece according to claim 6, further comprising a pivot arm which is mounted on the actuating plate such that it can rotate about a second rotational axis and on the base plate such that it can rotate about a third rotational axis.

8. The heel piece according to claim 7, further comprising a spring, for example a torsion spring, which biases the pivot arm in relation to the base plate such that it moves the actuating plate upwards when a user steps out of the heel piece wearing the ski boot or moves the brake arms from the travelling position to the braking position.

9. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the brace height measures between 6 and 15 mm, for example between 10 and 15 mm, wherein the brace height is the vertical distance between the upper side of the ski or lower side of the base plate and the contact surface.

10. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises a plate body made of plastic and a reinforcing structure, for example an insert made of metal, which is inserted into the plate body and at least partially encompasses a pivot axis or pivot axis portions of the brake arms.

11. The heel piece according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing structure is inserted into the plate body from the lower side and fastened to the plate body in a positive fit and/or in a force fit.

12. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base plate or the portion of a plate body of the base plate which forms the contact surface, wherein the plate body is for example made of plastic, comprises an opening on each of its two sides, wherein the opening is in particular groove-shaped and is open towards the lower side of the plate body or towards the upper side of the ski and through each of which a pivot axis portion of the ski brake extends outwards, wherein the opening which points towards the lower side is preferably covered by the upper side of the ski when the heel piece is mounted on the ski.

13. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base plate mounts the brake arms or pivot axis portions of the brake arms such that they can pivot about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is arranged in the lower half, or the half pointing towards the upper side of the ski, of the portion of the base plate or the portion of a plate body of the base plate which forms the contact surface.

14. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the rear third or rear quarter of the base plate comprises rear transit holes, which are in particular arranged on both sides of threaded segments which a threaded spindle of the base body engages, for receiving rear fastening screws.

15. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises front transit holes, in the front half outside the contact surface, for receiving front fastening screws, wherein the front transit holes are preferably arranged directly behind the contact surface and/or such that the base body, for example a first guide element and a second guide element, can be slid over the front transit holes and the front fastening screws.

16. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises front transit holes for receiving front fastening screws in the contact surface, wherein the front transit holes are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis portions.

17. The heel piece according to claim 13, further comprising a reinforcing insert which is for example made of metal and which is inserted into the front transit holes, wherein the reinforcing insert comprises for example annular portions, which are inserted into the front transit holes, and a connecting portion which connects the annular portions, wherein the connecting portion preferably comprises a U-shaped portion into which a pivot arm of the ski brake is pivoted when the ski brake is moved into the travelling position, and out of which the pivot arm is pivoted when the ski brake is moved into the braking position.

18. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the heel piece is part of an alpine ski binding or an alpine heel.

19. The heel piece according to claim 1, wherein the heel retainer comprises a holding jaw which is embodied such that it grips over the rear end of the sole of the ski boot from above when the sole rests against the contact surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] An aspect of the invention has been described on the basis of a plurality of embodiments and examples. Example embodiments are described below on the basis of figures. The features thus disclosed, individually and in any combination of features, advantageously develop the subject matter of the claims. There is shown:

[0033] FIG. 1 a side view of a heel piece of a ski binding from the prior art;

[0034] FIG. 2 a side view of a first embodiment of the heel piece of the ski binding as described in this document;

[0035] FIG. 3 a perspective view of the heel piece from FIG. 2;

[0036] FIG. 4 a perspective view, obliquely from above, of a base plate and a ski brake of the heel piece from FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 5 a perspective view, obliquely from below, of the parts from FIG. 4;

[0038] FIG. 6 a perspective view of a reinforcing structure formed as a metal insert;

[0039] FIG. 7 another perspective view of the reinforcing structure from FIG. 6;

[0040] FIG. 8 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a base plate comprising a ski brake; and

[0041] FIG. 9 an exploded view of the base plate and ski brake from FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a heel piece 1 of a ski binding from the prior art which can fix a ski boot 50 to a ski 2. The heel piece 1 comprises a base plate 10 which is fastened to an upper side 3 of the ski 2 by means of fastening screws 14. A base body 20 and a foot plate 5 are mounted on the base plate 10 such that they can shift in the longitudinal direction L of the ski. The foot plate 5 is fastened to the base body 20, thus enabling the base body 20 and the foot plate 5 to be shifted together in the longitudinal direction L. A heel retainer 30 is mounted on the base body 20 such that it can pivot between an open position and a closed position (FIG. 1). The heel retainer 30 comprises a holding jaw 31 which, in the closed position, presses from above onto a rear protrusion 52 of the ski boot 50. The foot plate 5 comprises a contact surface 11 on which the sole 51 of the ski boot 50 rests when the ski boot 50 is inserted into the heel piece 1. The ski brake 40 can be shifted in the longitudinal direction L of the ski together with the foot plate 5 and therefore also together with the base body 20. This enables a large shifting range in the longitudinal direction L. However, the design shown in FIG. 1 exhibits a large brace height h.sub.1, i.e. the distance from the upper side 3 of the ski to the contact surface 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the brace height can measure 24 mm. Accordingly, the holding jaw height h.sub.2, i.e. the distance from the upper side 3 of the ski to the holding jaw 31 when in the closed position, is also large at for example 53 or 54 mm.

[0043] The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 and the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 differ substantially due to their different drilling pattern for the fastening screws 14a, 14b and in that the first embodiment comprises a reinforcing structure 15, whereas the second embodiment comprises a reinforcing insert 60. Aside from these differences, the statements made with respect to the first embodiment also apply to the second embodiment and vice versa.

[0044] In the embodiments of the invention such as are shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 (first embodiment) or 8 and 9 (second embodiment), respectively, the brace height h.sub.1 is reduced, which has a positive effect on the handling characteristics. In the embodiments shown, the brace height h.sub.1 can measure between 6 and 15 mm, preferably between 10 and 15 mm, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2, i.e. the brace height h.sub.1 can be reduced as compared to the prior art by for example around 37% to 58% (for a brace height of between 10 and 15 mm) or even by around 37% to 75% (for a brace height of between 6 and 15 mm). The holding jaw height h.sub.2 can be reduced accordingly and can for example measure between 35 and 45 mm (for a brace height of between 6 and 15 mm) or between 39 and 45 mm (for a brace height of between 10 and 15 mm).

[0045] The reduced brace height h.sub.1 is enabled by omitting the foot plate 5, which is separate from the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 1, or by functionally replacing it with the base plate 10. The base plate 10 or the plate body 10a of the base plate 10 mounts the brake arms 41, 42 or their pivot axis portions 41a, 42a, respectively, such that they can pivot about a pivot axis s. The base plate 10 also forms the contact surface 11 for the sole 51 of the ski boot 50. The pivot axis s extends through the base plate 10, in particular between the contact surface 11 and the lower side of the base plate 10 or upper side 3 of the ski. As compared to the prior art shown in FIG. 1, the pivot axis s is offset downwards towards the upper side 3 of the ski and/or is situated in the lower half, i.e. the half pointing towards the upper side 3 of the ski, of the portion of the base plate 10 or the portion of a plate body 10a of the base plate 10 which forms the contact surface 11.

[0046] As can most clearly be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 or 8 and 9, respectively, the ski brake 40 comprises a first brake arm 41 on a first side (for example, a left-hand side) and a second brake arm 42 on a second side (for example, a right-hand side). The brake arms 41, 42 are formed by a common shaped wire part which connects the first brake arm 41 and the second brake arm 42 via a U-shaped loop.

[0047] An aspect of the invention has not only the advantage that the heel piece 1 enables a lower brace height h.sub.1 and therefore better handling characteristics, but also that the separate foot plate 5 is omitted and the base body 20 can be reduced in size, thus enabling the mass and therefore also the weight of the heel piece 1 can be reduced.

[0048] The base plate 10 comprises a plate body 10a which is for example made of plastic and which forms the contact surface 11, for example within the front third. The plate body 10a of the first and second embodiments comprises lateral openings 10d below the contact surface 11 which are embodied in the shape of grooves and open towards the lower side. When the base plate 10 is mounted on the upper side 3 of the ski, the part of the opening 10d which points towards the lower side, via which pivot axis portions 41a, 42a of the brake arms 41, 42 are inserted during assembly, is covered by the upper side 3 of the ski. The lateral openings 10d serve to accommodate pivot axis portions 41a, 42a of the brake arms 41, 42 or common shaped wire part, or in order to mount them such that they can pivot about the pivot axis s. The brake arm 41, 42 is guided via the lateral openings 10d from outside the plate body 10a to the inner side of the plate body 10a below the contact surface 11.

[0049] As can most clearly be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the base plate 10 of the first embodiment comprises the plate body 10a, which is for example made of plastic, and a reinforcing structure 15 which is embodied as an insert and is for example made of metal.

[0050] Details of the reinforcing structure 15 are most clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The reinforcing structure 15 comprises a plate-shaped main part 15a which is arranged parallel to the plate body 10a on the latter's lower side. The plate-shaped main part 15a comprises a fin 17a, 17b on each of its flanks which is angled in relation to the main part 15a, such as for example by 90, wherein the first fin 17a comprises a passage 17c for a first pivot axis portion 41a, and the second fin 17b comprises a passage 17d for a second pivot axis portion 42a of the shaped wire part which forms the brake arms 41, 42. The passages 17c, 17d, which are aligned with the openings 10d and arranged on the inner side of the openings 10d, are formed by embodying the fins 17a, 17b in the shape of hooks or so as to encompass the pivot axis portions 41a, 42a at least over some of their circumferences. The passages 17c, 17d are open towards the lower side, wherein the plate-shaped main part 15a is arranged below the passages 17c, 17d and forms a bearing support for the pivot axis portions 41a, 42a and holds them in the passages 17c, 17d. The plate-shaped main part 15a forms an intermediate part which is arranged between the pivot axis portions 41a, 42a and the upper side 3 of the ski and on which the pivot axis portions 41a, 42a can be supported towards the upper side 3 of the ski.

[0051] The angled fins 17a, 17b comprise protrusions 18 on their upper side, for example above the passages 17c, 17d, which are anchored in the plate body 10a of the base plate 10, which is for example made of plastic. The protrusions 18 can for example exhibit a serrated shape in order to be anchored in corresponding cavities in the plate body 10a in a positive fit and/or in a force fit.

[0052] The reinforcing structure 15 additionally comprises upwardly pointing protrusions 18 at its rear end, which are anchored in the plate body 10a. These protrusions 18 can also exhibit a serrated shape in order to be anchored in corresponding cavities in the plate body 10a in a positive fit and/or in a force fit. The rear protrusions 18 are angled in relation to the main part 15a, such as for example by 90.

[0053] In general, the protrusions 18 to be anchored can be press-fitted, glued or fused into the plate body 10a of the base plate 10.

[0054] The reinforcing structure 15 comprises, for example in front of the rear protrusions 18, a tongue 19 which protrudes upwards from the main part 15a and is supported on the torsion spring 48 (FIG. 5) or arranged behind the torsion spring 48 in relation to the longitudinal direction L. The tongue 19 can be arranged between the rear protrusions 18 and the torsion spring 48.

[0055] The reinforcing structure 15 has tabs 15b, 15c which protrude forwards from the plate-shaped main part 15a. The tabs 15b, 15c comprise holes or bores 16 via which the reinforcing structure 15 can be fastened to the plate body 10a. The plate-shaped main part 15a can alternatively or additionally comprise such holes or bores 16.

[0056] The plate-shaped main part 15a comprises bores or holes 16a through which the fastening screws 14 extend which fasten the base plate 10 to the ski 2. When mounted, the reinforcing structure 15 or the plate-shaped main part 15a of the reinforcing structure 15 is enclosed or clamped between the upper side 3 of the ski and the base plate 10. This further improves the stability of the base plate 10 and ski brake 40 and enables a further reduction in the brace height h.sub.1.

[0057] As shown for example in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9, the ski brake 40 comprises brake arms 41, 42 which are formed by a common shaped wire part. The shaped wire part comprises the pivot axis portions 41a, 42a which extend through the openings 10d and/or passages 17c, 17d, where they are mounted such that they can pivot about the pivot axis s. The pivot axis portions 41a, 42a of the first embodiment are supported downwards on the plate-shaped main part 15a. The pivot axis portions 41a, 42a are supported forwards, backwards and upwards by the passages 17c, 17d of the fins 17a, 17b, wherein the passages 17c, 17d are for example U-shaped. The pivot axis portions 41a, 42a of the second embodiment are supported forwards, backwards and upwards on the openings 10d and can be supported directly on the upper side 3 of the ski or on an intermediate part.

[0058] The shaped wire part comprises a rotational axis portion 45 at which the shaped wire part is mounted on the actuating plate 46 such that it can rotate about the first rotational axis d.sub.1. A first connecting portion 43, which is for example an elongated connecting portion and which is angled in relation to the rotational axis portion 45 and the first pivot axis portion 41a, connects the rotational axis portion 45 to the first pivot axis portion 41a, and a second connecting portion 44, which is for example an elongated connecting portion and which is angled in relation to the rotational axis portion 45 and the second pivot axis portion 42a, connects the rotational axis portion 45 to the second pivot axis portion 42a. The rotational axis portion 45 connects the first and second connecting portions 43, 44. The connecting portions 43, 44 protrude from the pivot axis s in opposite directions to the brake arms 41, 42. The free ends of the brake arms 41, 42 comprise plastic caps 41b, 42b which are provided with sets of teeth.

[0059] The ski brake 40 also comprises a pivot arm 49 (FIGS. 2, 4, 8 and 9) which is fastened or mounted to the actuating plate 46 such that it can rotate about a second rotational axis d.sub.2. The pivot arm 49 is additionally fastened or mounted to the base plate 10, such as for example the plate body 10a or the reinforcing structure 15, such that it can rotate about a third rotational axis d.sub.3, for example by means of a bearing shaft on the third rotational axis d.sub.3. The first rotational axis d.sub.1 is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the second rotational axis d.sub.2. The third rotational axis d.sub.3 is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the pivot axis s. This prevents the actuating plate 46 from being able to rotate freely about the first rotational axis d.sub.1. Instead, this arrangement holds the actuating plate 46 in defined pivot positions in relation to the base plate 10.

[0060] A holding plate 47, which can for example be made of metal, is arranged on and fastened to the lower side of the actuating plate 46. The holding plate 47 holds the rotational axis portion 45 of the shaped wire part, and/or a bearing portion of the pivot arm 49 which mounts the pivot arm 49 such that it can rotate about the second rotational axis d.sub.2, on the actuating plate 46.

[0061] When the actuating plate 46 is moved downwards, i.e. towards the ski 2, the shaped wire part is pivoted about the pivot axis s in a first direction, which pivots the brake arms 41, 42 from a braking position to a travelling position. When the actuating plate 46 is moved upwards, i.e. away from the ski 2, the shaped wire part is pivoted about the pivot axis s in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, which pivots the brake arms 41, 42 from the travelling position to the braking position.

[0062] A torsion spring 48 is supported on the base plate 10, for example on the plate body 10a or the reinforcing structure 15, on the one hand and on the pivot arm 49 on the other. The torsion spring 48 can be arranged on the bearing shaft, or its coils can encircle the bearing shaft (FIG. 5; merely hinted at in FIG. 9). This enables the torsion spring 48 to be securely held. The torsion spring 48 is biased and presses the pivot arm 49 and, via the actuating plate 46, the shaped wire part into the braking position when the actuating plate is not actuated, for example when the ski boot 50 is moved out of the binding. When the actuating plate 46 is moved downwards, i.e. towards the ski 2, for example when a user steps into the binding wearing the ski boot 50, the pivot arm 49 is likewise pivoted towards the ski 2, thus further tensioning the biased torsion spring 48 and pivoting the ski brake 40 or the shaped wire part from the braking position to the travelling position.

[0063] Optionally, the base plate 10 or alternatively the actuating plate 46 can comprise a first actuating surface 13a for the first connecting portion 43 and a second actuating surface 13b for the second connecting portion 44 of the shaped wire part. During the movement of the shaped wire part from the braking position to the travelling position, the first connecting portion 43 slides along the first actuating surface 13a and the second connecting portion 44 slides along the second actuating surface 13b, wherein the actuating surfaces 13a, 13b are shaped or inclined such that they elastically press the first and second connecting portions 43, 44 of the shaped wire part towards each other, for example shortly before reaching the travelling position, thus additionally pressing the brake arms 41, 42 towards each other in addition to their pivoting movement. This enables the brake arms 41, 42 to avoid impairing cornering in the travelling position. During the movement of the shaped wire part from the travelling position to the braking position, the first connecting portion 43 slides along the first actuating surface 13a, and the second connecting portion 44 slides along the second actuating surface 13b, wherein the first and second actuating surfaces 13a, 13b release the first and second connecting portions 43, 44, enabling them to move elastically away from each other, thus additionally moving the brake arms 41, 42 away from each other in addition to their pivoting movement. This enables the brake arms 41, 42 to pivot past the outer flanks of the ski into the braking position.

[0064] The heel piece 1 comprises an adjusting device which can adjust the position of the base body 20 in relation to the base plate 10 in the longitudinal direction L. In the example shown, the base plate 10 comprises threaded segments 10c which are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction L and engaged by flights of a threaded spindle 22 (FIG. 3), the longitudinal axis of which is arranged in the longitudinal direction L and which is rotatably mounted on the base body 20. While the threaded segments 10c can be formed directly by the plate body 10a, they are advantageously formed by an insert which is inserted into and for example snapped on the plate body 10a (FIGS. 3 and 9). The insert can be made of a different material, such as for example metal, than the plate body 10a which is preferably made of plastic. Rotating the threaded spindle 22 shifts the base body 20 in relation to the base plate 10 and in particular the contact surface 11 and the pivot axis s. More specifically, rotating the threaded spindle 22 in a first rotational direction shifts the base body 20 forwards, i.e. towards the contact surface 11, and rotating the threaded spindle 22 in a second rotational direction shifts the base body 20 a backwards, i.e. away from the contact surface 11.

[0065] The flanks of the base plate 10 comprise elongated guide portions 12a, 12b, such as for example guide rails, which are encompassed by guide elements 21a, 21b of the base body 20 and guide the base body 20 linearly in the longitudinal direction L. The guide portions 12a, 12b are embodied such that the base body 20 can be slid onto the base plate 10 from behind, in particular only from behind. The guide portions 12a, 12b terminate in front of the contact surface 11.

[0066] The actuating plate 46 is situated above the contact surface 11 when the ski brake 40 is in its braking position. This means that the heel region of the sole of the ski boot 50 reliably actuates the actuating plate 46 when a user steps into the binding wearing the ski boot. The actuating plate 46 is situated in front of the contact surface 11, in particular in front of the base plate 10, when the ski brake 40 is in its travelling position. This means that the actuating plate 46 exposes the contact surface 11 and does not negatively affect the low brace height h.sub.1. Ideally, the height of the actuating plate 46 is less than the brace height h.sub.1.

[0067] The heel retainer 30 is mounted on the base body 20 such that it can rotate about a heel retainer pivot axis 33, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3 for the first and second embodiments, and comprises one or more holding jaws 31 which, as described above, secure the rear protrusion 52 from above when the heel retainer 30 is in its closed position. The heel retainer pivot axis 33 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the ski 2 or the base plate 10 and parallel to the upper side 3 of the ski or the lower side of the base plate 10 or plate body 10a, respectively. The heel retainer 30 can be pivoted back and forth between a closed position, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an open position. The heel retainer 30 can in particular be embodied to be bistable by means of a spring 34, such that the heel retainer 30 is pivoted from a position between the open position and the closed position by the force of the spring 34 either into the open position or into the closed position. The base body 20 can for example comprise a linkage against which a pressure piece, on which one end of the spring 34 is supported, is pressed. The other end of the spring 34 is supported for example on the heel retainer 30 or on a part which is fixedly connected to the heel retainer 30. The spring 34 is preferably a compressively biased helical spring. The linkage is embodied to bistably move the heel retainer 30 into either the open position or the closed position in co-operation with the pressure piece and the pressure force of the spring 34.

[0068] The first and second embodiments comprise rear transit holes in the rear third or rear quarter of the plate body 10a, which are arranged on both sides of the insert which forms the threaded segments 10c. The rear transit holes serve to receive the rear fastening screws 14a. The first and second embodiments also comprise front transit holes for receiving front fastening screws 14b. The fastening screws 14a, 14b are screwed into the ski and fasten the heel piece to the upper side 3 of the ski.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the front transit holes which are arranged in the front half outside the contact surface 11 are arranged directly behind the contact surface 11. The front transit holes are also arranged on the first and second guide portions 12a, 12b of the plate body 10a such that first and second guide elements 21a and 21b of the base body 20 can be slid over the front transit holes and the front fastening screws 14b.

[0070] In the second embodiment, the plate body 10a comprises the front transit holes for receiving the front fastening screws 14b in the contact surface 11. The front transit holes are arranged between the pivot axis s and the rear end of the contact surface 11. The front transit holes are situated closer to the pivot axis s than to the rear end of the contact surface 11. More specifically, the front transit holes are arranged between the pivot axis s and the third rotational axis d.sub.3 about which the pivot arm 49 of the ski brake 40 can rotate. In a modification of the second embodiment, the front transit holes can be arranged between the pivot axis s and the front end of the contact surface 11. In the second embodiment and the modification of the second embodiment, it is generally advantageous to provide the front transit holes in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis s or at a distance between the center axis of the front transit holes and the pivot axis s which is less than or equal to 10 mm. This improves the stability of the portion of the base plate 10 which forms the contact surface 11 and prevents it from lifting off of the upper side 3 of the ski.

[0071] As can most clearly be seen from FIG. 9, a reinforcing insert 60 is provided which comprises a first annular portion 61 and a second annular portion 62 and a connecting portion 63 which connects the annular portions 61, 62. The reinforcing insert 60 is inserted into the plate body 10a such that it is set back in relation to the contact surface 11, i.e. does not protrude beyond the contact surface 11. The front fastening screws 14b, which are screwed into the ski and fasten the heel piece 1 to the upper side 3 of the ski, extend through the annular portions 61, 62 inserted into the front transit holes and through the front transit holes.

[0072] The connecting portion 63 comprises a U-shaped portion which is set back towards to the lower side of the plate body 10a in relation to the contact surface 11 and is arranged such that the pivot arm 49 of the ski brake 40 is pivoted into the U-shaped portion when the ski brake 40 is moved into the travelling position and is pivoted out of the U-shaped portion when the ski brake 40 is moved into the braking position.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0073] 1 heel piece [0074] 2 ski [0075] 3 upper side of the ski [0076] 4 lower side of the ski [0077] 5 foot plate [0078] 10 base plate [0079] 10a plate body [0080] 10b marking [0081] 10c threaded segments [0082] 10c opening [0083] 11 contact surface [0084] 12a first guide portion/guide rail [0085] 12b second guide portion/guide rail [0086] 13a first actuating surface [0087] 13b second actuating surface [0088] 14a rear fastening screws [0089] 14b front fastening screws [0090] 15 insert/reinforcing structure [0091] 15a main part [0092] 15b tab [0093] 15c tab [0094] 16 bore/hole [0095] 16a bore/hole [0096] 17a first fin [0097] 17b second fin [0098] 17c first passage [0099] 17d second passage [0100] 18 protrusion [0101] 19 tongue [0102] 20 base body [0103] 21a first guide element [0104] 21b second guide element [0105] 22 threaded spindle [0106] 30 heel retainer [0107] 31 holding jaw [0108] 32 foot spur [0109] 33 heel retainer pivot axis [0110] 34 spring [0111] 40 ski brake [0112] 41 first brake arm [0113] 41a first pivot axis portion [0114] 41b plastic cap [0115] 42 second brake arm [0116] 42a second pivot axis portion [0117] 42b plastic cap [0118] 43 first connecting portion [0119] 44 second connecting portion [0120] 45 rotational axis portion [0121] 46 actuating plate [0122] 47 holding plate [0123] 48 torsion spring [0124] 49 pivot arm [0125] 50 ski boot [0126] 51 sole [0127] 52 protrusion [0128] 60 reinforcing insert [0129] 61 first annular portion [0130] 62 second annular portion [0131] 63 connecting portion [0132] 64 U-shaped portion [0133] d.sub.1 first rotational axis [0134] d.sub.2 second rotational axis [0135] d.sub.3 third rotational axis [0136] h.sub.1 brace height [0137] h.sub.2 holding jaw height [0138] L longitudinal direction (of the ski) [0139] s pivot axis