US3909026A

US3909026A - Releasable safety device for a ski boot

Info

Publication number: US3909026A
Application number: US444960A
Authority: US
Inventors: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon
Original assignee: Francois Salomon et Fils SA
Current assignee: Salomon SAS
Priority date: 1973-02-23
Filing date: 1974-02-22
Publication date: 1975-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-30
Also published as: FR2218912A1; FR2218912B1

Abstract

The device comprises: first holding means for holding one of the extremities of the boot, including first retaining means consisting of an abutment mounted to the ski and having a first ramp, the retaining means further including a second ramp cooperating with the second ramp; second holding means for holding the other extremity of the boot and including second retaining means cooperating with the other boot extremity; resilient means received in at least one of the holding means, the first and second ramps being slidable relative to one another, when subjected to a vertical force, along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of the ski and against the opposing action of the resilient means; release means interposed between the resilient means and one of the holding means for disengaging the resilient means from the holding means and from the boot extremity associated with the said one holding means when the first and second ramps have slid one relative to the other a distance less than the maximum travel of these ramps.

Description

United States Patent [191 Salomon 1 Sept. 30, 1975 [75] Inventor: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon,

Annecy, France [73] Assignee: S.A. Etablissements Francois Salomon & Fils, Annecy, France 22 Filed: Feb. 22, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 444,960

2,854,242 9/1958 Pratt 280/11.35 T

3,095,210 6/1963 l-lallam 1 280/11.35 T

3,410,568 11/1968 Wiley 1 280/1 1.35 K 3,584,891 6/1971 Khazzam... 280/1l.35 T

3,638.959 2/1972 Reuge 1 280/1 1.35 T 3,716,248 2/1973 Wiley 280/11.35 T

3,730,543 5/1973 Edmund 2130/1135 T Primary E.\'aminerRobert R. Song 5 7 ABSTRACT The device comprises: first holding means for holding one of the extremities of the boot, including first retaining means consisting of an abutment mounted to the ski and having a first ramp, the retaining means further including a second ramp cooperating with the second ramp; second holding means for holding the other extremity of the boot and including second retaining means cooperating with the other boot extremity; resilient means received in at least one of the holding means, the first and second ramps being slidable relative to one another, when subjected to a vertical force, along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of the ski and against the opposing action of the resilient means; release means interposed between the resilient means and one of the holding means for disengaging the resilient means from the holding means and from the boot extremity associated with the said one holding means when the first and second ramps have slid one relative to the other a distance less than the maximum travel of these ramps.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I 1 l l US. Patent Sept. 30,1975

i US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet2of3 3,909,026

USQ Patfim Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,909,026

RELEASABLE SAFETY DEVICE FOR A SKI BOOT The invention relates to a releasable safety fixing device for a ski boot. It is more particularly concerned with fixing devices comprising a retention member, especially a retaining clamp co-operating with a sloping face which is temporarily or permanently fixed on the boot.

For this kind of fixing, the vertical safety results from a gradual sliding movement of the sloping faces respectively fixed on the boot and on the retaining clamp, one with respect to the other.

This type of fixing offers various advantages; in particular the locking device, pushing back the sole of the boot (or a sloping face added on this latter) so as to lock it with respect to a retaining clamp mounted on the ski, may be designed in such manner as to ensure the release of the fixing device in all directions, both laterally and vertically.

On the other hand, this type of fixing has disadvantages; in fact, the vertical release takes place when the extremity of the slopingface (the release nose) escapes from the retaining clamp. Now, the vertical release forces are generally very high and this results in a premature wear of the sloping faces and precisely of the release nose which is contact with the retaining clamp over a very small surface. This wear also results from the fact of the position of the sloping faces under the boot when the skier walks accidentally on rocky ground. Whatever the origin of this wear may be, it has the effect of modifying the value of the release force over a period of time. I

In addition, this type of fixing device has another drawback. In fact, the characteristics of the sloping faces or ramps, and especially their inclination with respect to the horizontal plane is imposed by the ratio of the lateral and vertical release forces which, for the safety and comfort of the skier, must be comprised within well-defined limits. For this reason, the elastic travel of the boot is also fixed and it is not possible to modify it by acting on the inclination of the sloping faces or ramps.

The present invention provides a solution for these problems. According to the invention, the releasable safety fixing device for a ski boot comprises:

a first holding means for one of the extremities of the boot that includes a retaining means constituted by a first ramp which is integral with an abutment mounted to the ski, and a second ramp which is integral with the said extremity of the boot which cooperates with the first ramp; a second holding means for the other extremity of the boot which includes another retaining means cooperating with the said other extremity of the boot; resilient means situated in one of the two holding means, the first ramp and the second ramp sliding one relative to the other under the action of a vertical force, along the longitudinal axis of the ski against the opposing action of the resilient means.

The fixing device of the present invention further in cludes an essential characteristic: release means interposed between the resilient means in one of the retaining means to disengage the resilient means from the retaining means and its associated boot extremity when the first and second ramps slide longitudinally one relative to the other a distance less than the maximal travel on these ramps.

By virtue of this combination of means co-operating with each other, the boot frees itself from the fixing device while the end zones of the first and second ramps are still in contact with one or the other over a surface which is much larger than it would be if the release were effected, as it is in the known art, on the ends of the said ramps.

The result of this is that the disadvantages previously referred to with respect to known fixing devices are eliminated. In fact, wear of the release noses located at the end of the ramp on the boot is nil or substantially nil, since this ramp completes its disengagement from the retaining means, without being in contact with the extremity of this latter, with the force necessary for its release.

Finally, it is clear that the fixing device according to the invention, has the advantages previously referred to, especially the retaining means which holds the end of the boot opposite to the system of ramps cooperating with the retaining means may be designed in such manner as to ensure the release of the fixing device in all directions, both laterally and vertically.

According to a subsidiary characteristic feature corresponding to an alternative form of embodiment of the invention, one of the holding means includes a retaining means, a resilient means and a release means according to the invention interposed between the resilient means and the said retaining means.

Preferably, in the case of this alternative form of embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is composed of two levers which are articulated with respect to the second holding means. Each lever includes at one end a ramp cooperating with the corresponding end of the boot and, at the other end, projections. Furthermore, the release means interposed between the resilient means and the holding means is composed of an arm articulated at the end of a rod actuated by the resilient means and cooperating in a releasable manner with these projections of the two levers.

However, as described hereinafter, there are other ways of constructing and locating these release means.

A description will now be given, which is in no way restrictive, of various examples of embodiment, in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first variant, showing a boot secured to the ski by means of a front stop comprising a release means according to the invention, and of a rear stop consisting of a system of two sloping ramps integral with the boot and the ski respectively;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the front stop in the example of embodiment illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of the front stop illustrated in FIG. 2, with the stop in neutral and the release means engaged;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of the front stop illustrated in FIG. 3, with the stop in the lateral-release position and the release means in the partially disengaged position;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of the front stop illustrated in FIG. 4, with the stop in the vertical-release position and the release means in the fully disengaged position;

FIG. 6a is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of the variant illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6b is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of another variant, the difference being the position of the release means in relation to the boot.

A description will now be given in FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of a first variant showing a boot secured to the ski by means of a front stop comprising a release means according to the invention, and of a rear stop consisting of a system of two sloping ramps integral with the boot and the ski respectively.

Boot 7 is secured to ski 8 by two retaining elements. The one located at the front, and secured to the ski more particularly by screws 33, comprises jaws or ramps 21' cooperating with ramps 6 located at the front end of the boot (this front stop will be described more fully in connection with FIG. 2). The other, located at the rear, consists of a first ramp integral with a catch mounted on the ski, and ofa second ramp 3 integral with the rear end of the sole of of the boot.

Ramps

3 and 4 are sloping, ramp 3 being in the form of a frustum of a prism.

Ramps

3 and 4 may be of any suitable shape, more particularly that found on plate bindings marketed under the GERTSCl-I trade mark, or else, and preferably, that described in US. patent application Ser. No. 413,985 filed on Nov. 8, I973.

The

ramps

3 and 4 serve to move the boot forward against the action of the resilient element contained in the front stop, when the boot is subjected to a vertical load.

In the variant shown in FIG. 1, the retaining elements (jaws 21 and first ramp 4) cooperate directly with the ends of the sole of the boot; it is also possible, without departing from the scope of this present invention, to fit a plate temporarily under the skiers boot and to equip this plate with second ramps 3 and ramps 6 cooperating with first ramps 4 of the rear retaining element and jaws 21 of the front stop.

A description will now be given of FIG. 2 which is a perspective view of a detail of the front stop in the variant illustrated in FIG. 1.

The front end of the boot (not shown in FIG. 2) cooperates with two ramps orjaws 21 21" located at the ends of two

levers

22, 22" cranked substantially at right angles and pivoting about two

vertical axes

23, 23 which are stationary in relation to the body of the front stop. Projections 25', 25 are integral with the outer ends of each of cranked lever 22', 22", the projections co-operating with

ends

25, 26 of a lever or arm 27 which pivots centrally about a vertical axis 28. This axis is integral with the end of a rod 29 passing through a resilient element 30 consisting of a coil spring.

One end of this resilient element bears against body 32 of the retaining element which is integral with the ski, being attached thereto by two screws 33, while the other end of the resilient element bears against a threaded plug 31 screwed to the free end of rod 29; the tension of the spring, and the force applied thereby, are adjusted by screwing up or unscrewing threaded plug 31.

A description will now be given of the method of operation of the binding according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and which illustrate diagrammatically the front stop shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3 the front stop is shown at rest, with boot in position in the binding. The figure shows levers 22 equipped with ramps orjaws 21 and projections pivoting about axes 23 which are fixed in relation to body 32 of the front-stop retaining element; also shown is arm 27, ends 26 thereof co-operating with projections 25; arm 27 pivots centrally about an axis 28 mounted at the end of a rod actuated by resilient element 30. 5 The release means according to the invention consists of arm 27 and projections 25; this release means is interposed between resilient element and the re taining element consisting of ramps or jaws 21; in the position shown in FIG. 3, it transmits to ramps or jaws 21 the force exerted by resilient element 30.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are two stops 34 which are stationary in relation to body 32 and are designed to limit the travel of levers 22 and to keep the levers apart when there is no boot in the binding; these stops 34 may be in any known form; more particularly they may be simply shoulders integral with body 32 of the front stop.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the front stop under lateral loading; the elements described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 will be recognized here again; indices or have been used (as in FIG. 2) for each half-portion of the stop according to the invention, and for the elements of which it consists.

The force exerted by the boot is directed transversely of the ski in the direction of arrow 40.

This force causes cranked lever 22 to pivot. Arm 27 also pivots about its end 26 which is stopped by projection 25, the latter being stationary in relation to the ski because lever 22 is bearing against stop 34.

As long as end 26 of lever 27 is stopped by projection 25', resilient element 30 holds ramp or jaw 21, and therefore boot 20, resiliently. However, when projection 25 pivots, with lever 22, through an angle such that it is no longer in contact with end 26' of arm 27, said end 26 disengages, allowing lever 22' to pivot freely. As a result of this, the rear end of the boot is released from the catch (not shown in FIG. 4), pivoting and advancing against a very small retaining force.

FIG. 5 shows how the front stop reacts to a vertical load. The elements already described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 will be recognized, since they bear the same reference numerals.

When the boot is subjected to a vertical or longitudinal load, the force exerted upon the front stop by the boot is directed along the longitudinal axis of the ski in the direction of arrow 45. This force causes cranked

levers

22, 22" to pivot about

axes

23, 23".

As long as ends 26, 26" of arm 27 are stopped by

projections

25, 25", resilient element 30 holds ramps or

jaws

21, 21" resiliently and tends to urge boot 20 into its normal position in relation to the ski. However, when projections 25', 25", which are integral with

levers

22, 22", pivot through an angle such that they are no longer in contact with ends 26', 26" of arm 27, levers 22', 22" may rock freely. As a result of this, the rear end of the boot is released from the catch and advances freely.

It will be noted that as soon as ends 26, 26" of arm 27 cease to cooperate with

projections

25, 25" when the release means consisting of arm 27 and

projections

25, 25" has come into action ramps 3, 4 (FIG. 1) are still in contact. This result is obtained by adjusting the release travel of the release means (

projections

25, 25" and arm 27) in a mariner such that it is less than the longitudinal travel imposed by

ramps

3, 4. As a result of this, ramp 3, located at the rear end of the boot, finally disengages itself without friction from ramp 4 which is integral with fixed catch 9.

It is desirable in practice that the rotation of levers 22', 22", after projections 25', 25" have escaped from

ends

25, 26", shall not be absolutely free, but shall take place against a load which is very much less than the load prior to the release. This is achieved by means of profiles 41, the radii of curvature of which increase slightly instead of being centred on axes 23. Thus after the release produced between 25, 25" and 26, 26", levers 22, 22" automatically return to the position of rest and are ready for the skis to be put on.

According to the invention, therefore, the release means interposed between the resilient element and the retaining element (the jaws) disconnects the resilient element from the retaining element and from the boot with which the retaining element co-operates when first and

second ramps

4 and 3 have slid longitudinally, in relation to each other, over a distance of less than the maximal travel of the ramps.

It will be noted that the ramps and/or release means are designed in a manner such that the vertical-release load, in the event of forward falls, has the desired ratio, for example three times the load for lateral release.

A detailed description has been given, in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, ofa variant of a release means according to the invention and the method of operation thereof. Without departing from the scope of this present invention, this release means could be of any other type, and could be arranged in any other manner, than the variant described.

More particularly, it is not absolutely necessary for the release means to be a part of the front stop. It could also be incorporated into the rear stop.

FIG. 6a is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of the variant shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, while FIG. 6b is a diagrammatic illustration of the principle of another variant differing from the former in that the release means is arranged in the rear stop.

The essential elements, namely the first and second ramps, the resilient element, and the release means, have been symbolized and are represented as follows:

resilient element 1 is represented by a zig-zag indicating a spring;

release means 2 is represented by a rectangle containing a cross;

first and

second ramps

4 and 3 are represented by sloping lines;

ramps or

jaws

5, 6 located at the front of the boot, are

also represented by sloping lines;

the parts which are fixed in relation to the ski, one at the rear 9 and one at the front 10, are presented by hatched rectangles with vertical lines indicating the screw or screws by means of which the parts are secured to the ski.

These diagrams do not claim to provide a complete description of the different variants according to the invention. The purpose thereof is solely to demonstrate that it is immaterial whether the release means is located in front or behind the binding.

It should be borne in mind that the invention relates essentially to a release means interposed between a resilient element and an element retaining one end of the boot, the release means disconnecting the resilient element from the said retaining element when the first and second ramps have slid, in relation to each other, over a distance of less than the maximal travel of the ramps.

The structure of this release means, and the location thereof in the binding, are of little importance, as long as proper release is assured.

In other words, the invention may be considered as the combination of a first binding releasable by the advance of the boot and of a second binding which brings about the advance by means of a system of sloping ramps on the ski, when the boot is subjected to a -vertical load (a forward or a backward fall, depending on the location of the first and second ramps), the release travel of the first binding being less than the longitudinal travel imposed by the ramp system.

What I claim is:

1. A releasable safety fixing device for a ski boot comprising:

first holding means for holding one of the extremities of said boot, said first holding means including:

first retaining means consisting of an abutment mounted to a ski, said first abutment having a first ramp;

a second ramp mounted to said boot extremity and co-operating with said first ramp;

second holding means for holding the other extremity of said boot including second retaining means cooperating with said other boot extremity;

resilient means received in at least one of said holding means; said first and second ramps being slidable relative to one another, when subjected to a vertical force, along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of said ski and against the opposing action of said resilient means;

release means interposed between said resilient means and one of said holding means for disengaging said resilient means from said one holding means and from said boot extremity associated with said one holding means when said first and second ramps have slid one relative to the other a distance less than the maximum travel of said ramps.

2. A release safety fixing device for a ski boot comprising:

first holding means for holding one of the extremities of said boot, said holding means including an abutment mounted to a ski and provided with a first inclined ramp; said first inclined ramp co-operating with a second inclined ramp mounted to said boot extremity;

second holding means for holding the other extremity of said boot, said second holding means including retaining means co-operating with said other boot extremity,

resilient means producing an opposing action against which said first and second ramps slide one relative to the other along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of said ski when subjected to a vertical force, and

release means located between said resilient means and said retaining means for disengaging said resilient means from said retaining means and from the boot extremity associated with said retaining means when said second ramp has slid with respect to said first ramp a distance less than the maximum travel of said ramps.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said retaining means consist of two levers articulated relative to said second holding means, each lever including second holding means and which is perpendicular to the plane of the ski;

said arm is rotatably movable, at an intermediate point thereof, about an axis situated at said one end of said rod;

said arm is further pivotable about one of its extremities resting against said projections when said boot is laterally urged.

Claims

1. A releasable safety fixing device for a ski boot comprising: first holding means for holding one of the extremities of said boot, said first holding means including: first retaining means consisting of an abutment mounted to a ski, said first abutment having a first ramp; a second ramp mounted to said boot extremity and co-operating with said first ramp; second holding means for holding the other extremity of said boot including second retaining means co-operating with said other boot extremity; resilient means received in at least one of said holding means; said first and second ramps being slidable relative to one another, when subjected to a vertical force, along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of said ski and against the opposing action of said resilient means; release means interposed between said resilient means and one of said holding means for disengaging said resilient means from said one holding means and from said boot extremity associated with said one holding means when said first and second ramps have slid one relative to the other a distance less than the maximum travel of said ramps.

2. A release safety fixing device for a ski boot comprising: first holding means for holding one of the extremities of said boot, said holding means including an abutment mounted to a ski and provided with a first inclined ramp; said first inclined ramp co-operating with a second inclined ramp mounted to said boot extremity; second holding means for holding the other extremity of said boot, said second holding means including retaining means co-operating with said other boot extremity, resilient means producing an opposing action against which said first and second ramps slide one relative to the other along an axis corresponding substantially to the axis of said ski when subjected to a vertical force, and release means located between said resilient means and said retaining means for disengaging said resilient means from said retaining means and from the boot extremity associated with said retaining means when said second ramp has slid with respect to said first ramp a distance less than the maximum travel of said ramps.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said retaining means consist of two levers articulated relative to said second holding means, each lever including at one end, a ramp cooperating with an associated boot extremity, at the other end, projections; said release means is constituted by an arm articulated at one end of a rod actuated by said resilient means, said arm co-operating in a releasable manner with said projections of said levers.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said levers is elbowed and rotatably movable about an axis which is fixed with respect to said second holding means and which is perpendicular to the plane of the ski; said arm is rotatably movable, at an intermediate point thereof, about an axis situated at said one end of said rod; said arm is further pivotable about one of its extremities resting against said projections when said boot is laterally urged.