US3637228A

US3637228A - Safety binding device for a boot on a ski

Info

Publication number: US3637228A
Application number: US873992A
Authority: US
Inventors: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-12-10
Filing date: 1969-11-04
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25
Also published as: DE1959821A1; JPS5133014B1; FR2025732A1; AT299028B; CH503502A

Abstract

A safety binding device for a boot on a ski has a jaw to hold the sole of the boot against the ski elastically. A latch controlled by an elastic element limits the maximum force supportable by the jaw before it is unlatched to release the boot. The device has at least one ramp against which a friction member is elastically supported to absorb a certain energy whose level increases simultaneously with the increase in the displacement of the jaw before the force exerted by the boot reaches the unlatching value of the elastically controlled latch. A roller or ball is arranged to come into action at the unlatching value of the force, thereby eliminating the action of the friction member. The ramps may be straight or curved. The friction member can be a ball, roller or sliding wedge. Manual release and resetting levers may be incorporated.

Description

United States Patent Salomon [72] Inventor: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon, Avenue de Loverchy, 34 Annecy, France [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1969 [2l] Appl. No.: 873,992

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 10, 1968 Switzerland ..l8463/68 [52] U.S. Cl 280/1135 T [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..280/11.35 T

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,125,349 3/1964 Schweizer ..280/11.35 T 3,291,500 12/1966 Voster et al.. ..280/1 1.35 T 3,490,783 l/l970 Shimizn ..280/11.35 T

[451 Jan. 25, 1972 [5 7 ABSTRACT A safety binding device for a boot on a ski has a jaw to hold the sole of the boot against the ski elastically. A latch controlled by an elastic element limits the maximum force supportable by the jaw before it is unlatched to release the boot. The device has at least one ramp against which a friction member is elastically supported to absorb a certain energy whose level increases simultaneously with the increase in the displacement of the jaw before the force exerted by the boot reaches the unlatching value of the elastically controlled latch. A roller or ball is arranged to come into action at the unlatching value of the force, thereby eliminating the action of the friction member. The ramps may be straight or curved. The friction membercan be a ball, roller or sliding wedge. Manual release and resetting levers may be incorporated.

9 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN25I972 30637228 SHEEI 19F INVENTOR 620/2655 7 1/ SIIILO/IMA/ ATTORNEY PATENTED mes x972 SHEEI 2 [If 8 INVENTOR ATIOR NEY PATENTEUJANZSIQYZ 3.637.228

sum 30F a INVENTOR BY @MW ATTORNEY INVENTOR GEaeezs PJ. S ON ATTORNEY PATENTEU JANZS I972 SHEET 0F 8 PATENTEDJANZSISYZ 353 71228 saw 58F 8 ZNVENTOR 650/2655 Pd. SAM/MO BY W ATTORNEY PATENTEU JANZS 1972 SHEET 8 OF 8 INVENTOR ATTORNEY PATENTEU JANZS Q72 WEN [IF INVENTOR 6 50/2455 J

5440mm ATTORNEY PATENTEDJANZSIQYZ

3,63%228 sum 8 0F 8 INVENTOR aeazs P J SJQLOMOA/ BY W' ATTORNEY SAFETY BINDING DEVICE FOR A BOOT ON A SKI The present invention relates to a ski safety binding. More particularly it relates to a safety binding device for a boot on a ski, comprising a jaw for retaining the sole of the boot against the ski, said jaw being movable but subject to elastic action tending to hold it in active position, and a latch controlled by an elastic element limiting the maximum force capable of being borne by this jaw before being unlatched to free the boot.

Numerous safety binding devices of the type indicated above are already known. In certain of these, the elastic travel which the retaining jaw can undergo, before the unlatching of the safety system constituted by the elastically controlled latch, is obtained by direct or indirect support of the jaw on a spring or similar elastic element. This elastic travel is also ob tained in certain known devices by rolling of a revolving member such as a roller, or a ball, subject to the action of a spring, against a cam whose profile is calculated as a function of the force which the binding device must be capable of bearing. In these above-mentioned known devices, the spring used must be of considerable force, given the good efficiency of the rolling mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved safety binding device.

It is another object to achieve a sole retainer providing a weak active or motive force, and considerable passive or resisting force.

It is a further object to provide a ski safety binding device which transmits the energy from a spring (or from an elastic element) to a movable part directly or indirectly subject to the action of the boot, producing the best possible compromise between spring economy and fidelity of unlatching.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows.

According to the invention there is provided a safety binding device comprising at least one ramp against which is elastically supported a frictional member intended to absorb a certain energy whose level increases simultaneously with the increase in the displacement of the jaw, before the effort exerted by the boot reaches the unlatching value of the elastically controlled latch, a rolling or reduced frictional member coming into action just before this unlatching to eliminate the action of the frictional member.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a number of embodiments of the ski safety binding device according to the invention are described below purely by way of illustrative but nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a ski safety binding device according to the invention;

FIG. 1 showing it in position securing the boot on a ski, while FIG. 2 shows the position close to the time of release of the binding;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the safety binding device;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show in two operational positions, a fourth embodiment of the safety binding device;

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a fifth embodiment of the device in three different operating positions;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show respectively sixth and seventh embodiments of the device;

FIGS. l2, l3 and 14 show the eighth and ninth embodiment of the device,

FIG. 12 thereof shows diagrammatically involved, and

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two different operational positions of the ninth embodiment;

FIGS. 15 to 19 show a tenth embodiment of the safety device according to the invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the forces exerted on the retaining jaw for the boot as a function of the travel of the latter.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the safety binding device for a boot 1 on a ski 2 comprises a retaining jaw 3 hinged around a pin 4 fixed with respect to the ski. This pin 4 is therefore carried by a support or a mounting 60. On this same pin 4 is hinged a part 5 the end 6 of which is capable of being displaced with regard to a fixed portion 7 of the mounting 60 which is provided with a hole 8. In this hole 8 is arranged a latch comprising a revolvable member such as a ball or a roller 9 subject to the action of a spring 10. The end 6 of the part 5 has a recess 11 inside which the revolving member 9 is capable of engagement to latch part5. The part5 comprises, in fact, a lever intended to be actuated by the arm 12 which is an extension of the jaw 3 beyond its pivoting point on pin 4. Between the arm 12 and the part 5 is arranged a friction member 13 in the form of a wedge. The friction member 13 is subject to the action of a spring 14 tending to push the member 13 between the two

ramps

15 and 16 disposed on the facing surfaces of

parts

5 and 12 respectively. It is understood with reference to the drawing and, particularly to FIG. 2, that when a certain force tends to disengage the boot 1 from the ski 2, the jaw 3 undergoes a rising movement, which causes the movement of the arm 12 toward the part 5 causing sliding of the friction member 13 against the action of the spring 14, between the

ramps

15 and 16. During this displacement movement of the friction member 13 against the action of the spring 14, much energy is lost in friction. If the force tending to release the boot 1 from the ski 2 ceases while the jaw 3 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the wedge-shaped friction member 13 restores the jaw 3 to its original position to again urge the boot 1 against the ski 2. On the other hand, if the force to which the boot 1 is subjected increases further from the position shown in FIG. 2, the latch comprising the roller !9 moves into the hole 8 against the action of the spring 10, which permits tilting of the part 5 thus allowing escape of the boot 1 which is then freed from the jaw 3. A device, not shown in the drawing, is then actuated to restore the safety device into its initial cocked position.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is only, of course, very diagrammatic and intended only to illustrate the principle of operation of such a safety device. Of course, it would be preferably in reality to replace the

rectilinear form ramps

15 and 16 by ramps of convex shape, the frictional member 13 also being replaceable by a revolvable member such as a roller or a ball, for example.

In the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the safety bind ing device comprises the same parts as in the first embodiment, that is to say a jaw 3, hinged around a pin 4, a part 5 hinged around this same pin, a latch 9 subject to the action of a spring 10 and a friction member 13 subject to the action of a spring 14 supported on an arm 12. In this second embodiment, the

ramps

15 and 16 are of convex shape which facilitates the operation of the friction mechanism.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment, very similar to the preceding one, in which a single convex ramp 15 has been provided, the ramp 16 being of rectilinear shape such as shown in the first embodiment. The operation of these three embodiments is hence similar in principle.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a fourth embodiment comprising also a jaw 3 hinged around a fixed axle 4 borne by the mounting 60 and a part 5 hinged around the same axle 4. A latch 9 comprising a ball, or a roller, urged by a spring It) is also provided for engagement in a recess 11 of the part 5 and thus to guarantee the normal operating position of the binding device. In this embodiment, the arm 12 extending from jaw 3 beyond the axle 4, has a part in the form of a ramp 16 with which the revolvable friction member 13 cooperates subject to the action of a spring 14 arranged in a housing 17 of the part 5. The friction member 13 is therefore supported between the ramp l6 and a ramp 15 formed on the part 5. The end of the ramp l6 situated close to the free end of the arm 12 is provided with a shoulder 18 intended to be supported against a part 19 forming an abutment on part 5 when a certain force is exerted on the boot and tends to disengage the latter from the ski. These two parts 18 and I9 come into contact with one another after the friction member 13 has been pushed back against a certain amount of energy by friction between the

ramps

15 and 16. It is therefore only from this position shown in FIG. 6 that, when the force exerted on the boot continues to increase, the latch 9 can be pushed back against its spring 10 and cause the unlatching of the binding device and, thus, the release of the boot.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show another embodiment in which the jaw 3 is extended beyond its pivot pin 4 by an arm having a recess 21 for a latch 22 in the form of a revolvable body, for example in the form of a roller. This latch 22 is carried by an arm 23 urged by a spring 24 in the direction of the arm 20. The arm 23 is guided in a slide 25 arranged in a fixed portion 26 of the mounting 60. The portion 26 has also a stop 27 for the latch 22, as well as a ramp 28. Between the ramp 28 and the arm 23 is arranged a wedge-shaped friction member 29, the member 29 being subject to the action of a spring 30.

The operation of such a safety device is hence as follows:

When the forces not exceeding a certain given limit are exerted on the boot 1 and tend to disengage it from the ski 2, the arm 20 tends to pivot in a clockwise direction, which causes the displacement of the friction member 29 towards the left as shown in FIG. 8. As soon as the force exerted on the boot exceeds the limiting value fixed by the latch 22, the latter comes into abutment against the stop 27 and, under the effect of an increase in the force acting on the boot, the latch 22 emerges from the the recess 21 enabling the arm 20 and, thus, thejaw 3 to tilt so freeing the boot. Thus, and as in the preceding embodiments, a spring 30 of relatively slight force is sufficient to cause an absorption of frictional energy before the safety device reaches the degree of pull causing its release.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment very similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment according to FIG. 10, the retainingjaw 3 for the boot 1 also has an arm 12 which extending beyond its pivot pin 4 carried by the mounting 60. The arm 12 has a convex ramp 16 with which cooperates with a friction member 13 formed by a plunger piston subject to the action of the spring 14. This plunger piston 13 hence exerts friction between the portion 15 arranged on the part 5 and the convex ramp 16. In this embodiment, the latch 9 comprises a roller hinged on an arm 31 pivoted at 32 with respect to a fixed portion of the mounting 60 and subject to the action of a spring 33. The latch 9 is intended to be engaged in a recess 11 of the part 5 to ensure the retention of the binding device in its normal position of use.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the revolvable body 38 pivoted at 39 is provided at the end of the arm 12. In this embodiment, the limiting force which the safety device can support is obtained when a plunger piston 34, urged by a spring 36, enters into contact with the revolvable body 38, the latter then urging the piston 34 back inside its housing in a portion of the mounting 60 after rolling over the head of the piston 34, against the action of the spring 36.

FIG. 12 is a variation of the embodiment according to FIG. 11, in which the plunger piston 34 is replaced by the end 40 of a lever arm 41 hinged on a fixed pin 42 carried by the mounting 60 and subject to the action ofa spring 43. In this embodiment, it is the portion 40 which comprises the friction member in contact with the ramp 16 of the arm 12 rigidly fixed to the jaw 3. This portion 40 constitutes simultaneously the latch cooperating with the body of revolution 38 to limit the maximum force capable of being sustained by the binding device.

In the so-called elastic period of operation of this embodiment according to FIGS. 12 to 14, which operational period is shown in FIG. 13, the coefficient of friction proportional to the tangent of the angle a and thus, in the direction of movement, the force of the spring 43 is transmitted to the jaw 3 along one or other of the directions of the

arrows

44 and 45 situated on both sides of the normal N at the point of contact of the portion 40 with the ramp 16.

The retaining torque applied to the jaw 3, although always in the same direction, varies in the ratio of the lever arms, that is to say by the distance of the vectors at the pivoting point 4. But in the unlatching phase shown in FIG. I4, the friction is replaced by a rolling of very low coefficient a.) and in the direction of the movement, the vectors stay very close to N. With such a construction, the moment of release of the binding device can then be regarded as true with respect to the value of the original elastic force. It should be noted that as a variation, the roller 38 could be replaced by an element with very low coefficient friction, for example a tip of synthetic material such as that designated by the expression PTFE." It is to be further noted that to compensate, on the encounter of the roller 38 with the end 40 of the lever 41, the suppression of the resisting force due to friction, it is necessary that the roller 38 extends somewhat beyond the level of the ramp 16.

In this embodiment, a lever 61 hinged on a spindle 62 carried by the mounting 60 enables the manual release" or voluntary liberation of the boot by pressure on the free end of the lever 61. It is to be noted that a ramp 63 of appreciably cylindrical form and concentric with the axle 4 of the jaw 3 enables the maintenance of the locking spring 43 compressed after liberation of the jaw 3.

The last embodiment shown by FIGS. 15 to 19 also comprises a jaw 3 hinged around a principal fixed pin 4 carried by a mount 60. The jaw 3 is connected by a pivoting shaft 46 to a jaw arm 47 formed at the lower end of the part 48 and forming part of a jaw means. This part 48 includes a ramp 49 terminating in a boss 50. The boss 50 includes an edge 51 extending therefrom. In this embodiment, the friction member is formed by the flanged end 52 of a lever 53 hinged on a fixed pin 54 and subject to the action of a spring 55 whose tension is adjustable by means of a stop screw 64 carried by the mounting 60. Between the two teeth 56 of the end 52 in the form of a fork is hinged a roller 57 the periphery of which is withdrawn with respect to the end 52. A roller 58 turning around a fixed axle 59 carried by the mounting 60 is intended to serve as guide for the part 48 bearing the pedal 47. The normal position of operation of the binding device is shown in FIG. 18. It is seen that in this position, the spring 55 acts on the lever 53 to hold the end 52 of the latter in rubbing contact with the ramp 49 which forms a wedge between the guide roller 58 and the end 52.

The more the force exerted on the boot tends to increase, the greater is the amount of frictional energy absorbed by friction between the end 52 and the ramp 49. As soon as this force approaches its limiting value, the various parts of the binding device then occupy the position shown in FIG. 16 in which it is seen that the end 52 of the lever 53 leaves the ramp 49, the roller 57 becoming supported against the boss 50. If the force exerted on the boot continues to increase from this position, the roller 57 escapes from the boss 50 and rolls over the edges 51 causing the upward disengagement of the jaw 3, as shown in FIG. 15,

The extension 65 of the lever 53 constitutes a releasing" lever enabling the voluntary liberation of the boot by pressure on the end of the arm 65.

The edge 51 provided on the part 48 has also the purpose of facilitating the resetting" of the safety device to restore this device into its position of normal operation shown in FIG. 18.

Numerous variations of execution of the safety binding device for a boot on a ski described above could be envisaged. It should be pointed out first of all that this safety device is just as applicable to the fixing of the toe of the boot with respect to the ski as to the fixing of the heel of this boot on the ski. With the object of simplifying the description of the various embodiments described, the embodiments illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1 to 14 show essentially pivoting parts in the form of levers or arms. It is clear, however, that as a variation the same results could be obtained by applying the claimed principle to parts with linear or complex displacement, parts guided on link rods, ramps or the like, such as the part 48 forming a portion of the last embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 19.

It is to be understood also that in certain of the embodiments described above, the parts such as the latch 9 or the plunger piston 34, instead of being carried by fixed parts of the device, could be carried by movable parts which, normally, are intended to cooperate with them, that is to say that a trans position in the position of the parts could be effected.

The safety binding device for a boot on a ski described above by way of several embodiments therefore enables the use of springs as weak as possible giving a reliable release of the device, inasmuch as it can be adapted to certain irregularities of operation in the portion of the opening travel of the device, referred to as the so-called elastic period of operation. it suffices, in fact, for the release to be reliable, that the mechanism using a frictional force during the portion of the elastic travel be replaced at the moment of release by a rolling device or a device with at least very much reduced friction only coming into action at the end of displacement of the retaining jaw for the sole of the boot.

The diagram of FIG. illustrates clearly the general principle of operation of the safety fixing device described above by way of the various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The forces acting on the jaw 3 are shown along the ordinates (kg), while the travel of thejaw is shown as abscissae (mm. The discontinuous line E is the theoretical curve of the forces of the one or more springs, omitting all friction,

The curve L shows the added" forces:

spring forces plus frictional forces measured on the raising of the heel which is then motive, the jaw then being in resisting position.

The curve R shows the subtracted forces:

forces of the spring less the frictional forces measured on the return of the jaw 3, the latter then being motive and the heel being resisting.

This diagram shows clearly the hysteresis obtained systematically before the point D, where a reliable release is produced, that is to say the unlatching of the elastically controlled latch 9, for example, by elimination of the frictional rubbing. Only a very light rolling or gliding friction would come into action at this moment.

It will be clear that various other changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments described without departing from the essential concept of the invention as defined in scope by the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In a safety binding device mounted on a ski for retaining a boot thereon, said device including a housing, displaceable aw means carried by said housing for clamping the sole of the boot against the ski, first resilient means normally holding said jaw means in sole clamping position, a latch cooperating with said jaw means, second resilient means acting on said latch to control the maximum force supportable by said jaw means before unlatching of said latch to free said boot, the improvement comprising at least one ramp on said jaw means, a resiliently urged friction member engaging said ramp, said friction member absorbing energy the level of which increases simultaneously with the increase in displacement of said jaw means before the force exerted by the boot on the jaw means reaches the unlatching value of said latch, and revolvable fric tion means acting on saidjaw meansjust before the unlatching thereof to eliminate the action of said friction member.

2. A device according to claim ll, wherein said ramp includes a boss limiting the maximum amplitude of displacement of said jaw means under the effect of a force exerted on the boot, a lever, spring means controlling said lever, said friction member comprising the end of said lever, said lever carrying said revolvable friction means cooperating with said boss when the force which the binding device must sustain is close to its maximum value.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said boss includes an edge providing a second ramp, said revolvable friction means cooperating with said second ramp after unlatching of said latch to cause the escape of the jaw means and facilitate the resetting of the device.

. A device according to claim 3, wherein said boss and its edge are part of a member hinged to said jaw means and a guide member mounted on said housing supports said hinged member during the latching and unlatching of said device.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said friction member is gripped between two surfaces movable with respect to one another and converging towards one another.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein one of said surfaces is integral with said jaw means, the other surface is part of a movable member cooperating with said latch.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said jaw means and said movable member are pivotally connected to each other, said two surfaces forming two ramps between which said friction member is disposed.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said friction member comprises a plunger piston urged by a spring against said ramp.

9. A device according to claim I, wherein said latch and friction member are a single element and are spring urged against said ramp, and said revolvable friction means is mounted at one end ofsaid ramp.

Claims

1. In a safety binding device mounted on a ski for retaining a boot thereon, said device including a housing, displaceable jaw means carried by said housing for clamping the sole of the boot against the ski, first resilient means normally holding said jaw means in sole clamping position, a latch cooperating with said jaw means, second resilient means acting on said latch to control the maximum force supportable by said jaw means before unlatching of said latch to free said boot, the improvement comprising at least one ramp on said jaw means, a resiliently urged friction member engaging said ramp, said friction member absorbing energy the level of which increases simultaneously with the increase in displacement of said jaw means before the force exerted by the boot on the jaw means reaches the unlatching value of said latch, and revolvable friction means acting on said jaw means just before the unlatching thereof to eliminate the action of said friction member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said ramp includes a boss limiting the maximum amplitude of displacement of said jaw means under the effect of a force exerted on the boot, a lever, spring means controlling said lever, said friction member comprising the end of said lever, said lever carrying said revolvable friction means cooperating with said boss when the force which the binding device must sustain is close to its maximum value.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said boss and its edge are part of a member hinged to said jaw means and a guide member mounted on said housing supports said hinged member during the latching and unlatching of said device.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said latch and friction member are a single element and are spring urged against said ramp, and said revolvable friction means is mounted at one end of said ramp.