HEEL PIECE FOR A SKI BINDING

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Application No. 102024124939.0, filed Aug. 30, 2024, the contents of such application being incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the heel piece of a ski binding, in particular an alpine ski binding. The ski binding can be embodied as a free-ride binding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Free-ride bindings are known in which the heel piece comprises a base plate, which is fastened to the upper side of a ski by means of screws, and a base body which is shiftably arranged on the base plate and pivotably mounts a heel retainer. A foot plate is also provided which is separate from the base plate and fastened to the base body and which pivotably mounts two brake arms of a ski brake. Pivotably mounting the ski brake on the foot plate, which together with the base body can be shifted relative to the base plate in the longitudinal direction of the ski, results in a relatively large brace height, i.e. distance between the upper side of the ski and the contact surface of the foot plate for the heel of a ski boot. A larger brace height slows the ski when alternating during cornering and is detrimental to the edge pressure or just in general terms impairs the handling characteristics of the ski.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention is based on specifying a heel piece of a ski binding which provides the ski with improved handling characteristics or reduces the brace height.

Ski bindings are known to be used for fastening a ski boot to a ski. Most ski bindings comprise a toe piece and a heel piece for this purpose. The toe end of the outsole of the ski boot comprises a protrusion which is encompassed and held by the toe piece, and the heel end of the outsole of the ski boot comprises a protrusion which is encompassed and held by the heel piece.

An aspect of the invention relates to the heel piece for such a ski binding. The binding is preferably an alpine ski binding, i.e. not a touring binding or a so-called pin binding. Accordingly, the heel piece can be embodied as an alpine heel, i.e. not a touring heel.

The heel piece comprises a base plate, the lower side of which is or can be fastened to the upper side of a ski. The ski comprises an upper side for fastening the binding or heel piece and a lower side comprising a coating which is configured for sliding on snow. The base plate can for example be screwed, glued or otherwise fastened to the upper side of the ski. The base plate can for example comprise holes or bores through which fastening screws, for example countersunk screws, are screwed into the ski, wherein the base plate is clamped between the screw heads of the fastening screws and the upper side of the ski, and its lower side for example rests against the upper side of the ski.

The heel piece also comprises a base body which is fastened to the base plate and which pivotably mounts a heel retainer, for example such that it can pivot about a horizontally arranged pivot axis or heel retainer pivot axis. The heel retainer can be pivoted back and forth between an open position and a closed position about the pivot axis which is arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the ski and for example parallel to the upper side of the ski. The base body can for example laterally enclose the heel-end protrusion of the sole, wherein the heel retainer encloses said protrusion from above when the heel retainer is in its closed position. The heel retainer can comprise 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 a contact surface. The heel retainer can for example comprise a foot spur, wherein the heel-end protrusion of the ski boot abuts against said foot spur when a user steps into the heel piece, pressing it downwards, thus pivoting the heel retainer from its open position to its closed position. The heel retainer can for example be bistably embodied by means of a spring, i.e. the spring pivots the heel retainer into either its closed position or its open position when the heel retainer is pivoted outside its closed position or open position.

The base body is for example a part which is separate from the base plate and guided such that it can in particular be shifted in the longitudinal direction by or in relation to the base plate. By means of a (longitudinal) adjusting device, the base body can be shifted together with the heel retainer in the longitudinal direction in relation to the base plate.

The heel piece also comprises a ski brake featuring two brake arms. The ski brake can be moved from a braking position, in which the brake arms protrude beyond the lower side of the ski, to a travelling position in which the brake arms are arranged above the lower side of the ski. The ski brake serves to prevent a ski from descending a slope in an uncontrolled manner if the ski becomes detached from the ski boot, for example due to a fall.

The base plate can pivotably mount the two brake arms, for example such that they can pivot about a pivot axis, and can form a contact surface for the sole, in particular a heel of the sole of the ski boot. The brace height can be significantly reduced as compared to the prior art mentioned at the beginning, in which the brake arms are mounted and the contact surface is formed by a foot plate which is fastened to the base body and can be longitudinally shifted together with the base body in relation to the base plate. A low brace height of for example between 6 and 15 mm, in particular between 10 and 15 mm, can be realized by mounting the brake arms, or pivot axis portions of the brake arm lying on the pivot axis, on or by means of the base plate. In the prior art mentioned at the beginning, the brace height measured 24 mm. The lower brace height improves the handling characteristics of the ski.

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 of the heel piece for the heel of the ski boot.

The base body can for example be able to be shifted in the longitudinal direction in relation to the ski brake, in particular the pivot axis of the brake arms, and/or the ski brake, in particular the pivot axis of the brake arms, can be unable to be shifted in the longitudinal direction in relation to the base plate. While the binding known from the prior art does enable larger adjustment ranges, since the foot plate can be shifted in the longitudinal direction along with the ski brake and the base body, the smaller adjustment range of the binding described in this document can be accepted, since the position of the base body in relation to the base plate in the longitudinal direction is generally set for an individual skier, and no other major adjusting movements are to be expected once the base body has been assembled and the position set.

The base plate can for example form a longitudinal guide for the base body, wherein said guide is configured for shifting the base body in relation to the base plate in the longitudinal direction. The base plate or the plate body of the base plate can for example comprise at least one guide portion, for example a guide rail, which co-operates with at least one guide element of the base body. The base plate can comprise a guide portion on each of its two sides, wherein both sides of the base body comprise a guide element which respectively engages one of the guide portions. The base body can for example encompass the base plate. In developments, the guide elements can encompass the guide portions of the base plate.

The adjusting device for the longitudinal position of the base body in relation to the base plate can for example be a releasable latching connection, a clamp by means of screws or a threaded spindle which is rotatably mounted on the base body, the thread of which engages thread segments on the upper side of the base plate which are arranged successively in the longitudinal direction.

The ski brake can comprise an actuating plate, upper side of which is embodied such that it is pressed downwards by the sole of the ski boot, in particular the heel region of the sole, when a user steps into the heel piece. The actuating plate can be coupled to the brake arms such that the brake arms pivot from the braking position to the travelling position when the foot plate is moved downwards or towards the upper side of the ski.

In developments, the brake arms can be formed by a common shaped wire part which is mounted on the actuating plate such that it can rotate about a first rotational axis. The part pointing from the pivot axis or the pivot axis portions of the shaped wire part to the actuating plate can form a first lever arm, and the brake arms pointing in the opposite direction from the pivot axis or the pivot axis portions can form a second lever arm of the shaped wire part. The free end of the brake arms can comprise a plastic cap which is provided with sets of teeth in order to engage the snow in the braking position and improve the braking effect. Forming the cap from a plastic material also reduces the risk of injury and damage caused by the brake arms during transport.

In embodiments, the actuating plate can be situated above the contact surface of the base plate when the ski brake is in its braking position. When a user steps into the heel piece wearing a ski boot, the actuating plate is pressed downwards and pivoted forwards about the pivot axis in the longitudinal direction of the ski, in particular to a position in front of the front end of the base plate. In the travelling position, the actuating plate can be arranged in front of the front end of the base plate. The actuating plate can exhibit a thickness which is less than or equal to the brace height. The first rotational axis can optionally also be arranged in front of the front end of the base plate when the ski brake is in its braking position, at least in the travelling position.

The heel piece also comprises a pivot arm which is mounted on the actuating plate such that it can rotate about a second rotational axis and mounted on the base plate such that it can rotate about a third rotational axis. The first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are arranged such that they are offset in parallel with respect to each other. The pivot axis and the third axis are likewise arranged such that they are offset, for example in parallel, with respect to each other.

A spring, in particular a torsion spring, can be provided in developments. The torsion spring can bias the pivot arm in relation to the base plate, such that when the actuating plate is not actuated, it moves the ski brake into the braking position or holds it in the braking position. When the actuating plate is pressed towards the upper side of the ski or downwards, the biased torsion spring is tensioned even further. When a user steps into the heel piece wearing a ski boot, the actuating plate is pressed downwards against the force of the torsion spring, wherein the torsion spring is moved upwards when a user steps out of the heel piece wearing a ski boot. Accordingly, the ski brake is pivoted into the travelling position a user steps into the heel piece and pivoted into the braking position a user steps out of the heel piece.

In developments, the base plate comprises a plate body, which is for example made of plastic, and a reinforcing structure which is for example made of metal and which at least partially encompasses the pivot axis of the brake arms or the shaped wire part. The reinforcing structure can be embodied as an insert or metal insert which is inserted into the plate body. The reinforcing structure forms a structural reinforcement of the base plate which enables a compact design and an even lower brace height. The reinforcing structure can be a punched flexural part. The reinforcing structure can be inserted into the plate body from the lower side of the base plate and fastened to the plate body in a positive fit and/or in a force fit. The base plate or the plate body can for example comprise holes or bores between the base body and the contact surface, wherein the base plate is fastened, in particular screwed, to the ski via said holes or bores by means of fastening screws. In developments, the reinforcing structure can comprise holes or bores which are aligned with said holes or bores in the base plate and through which the fastening screws extend which fasten the base plate to the ski. This provides the reinforcing structure with an even better connection to the rest of the base plate or the plate body and the ski, thus further increasing the structural strength of the base plate, in particular in the region of the ski brake. The loads applied in connection with the ski brake can be absorbed by the reinforcing structure, wherein the plate body is relieved of these loads and can be embodied more delicately, which also favors a low brace height.

The base plate or, more specifically, the portion of the plate body which forms the contact surface can comprise an opening, in particular a groove-shaped opening, on each of its two sides, in particular its lateral sides, i.e. on its left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the ski, wherein a pivot axis portion of the ski brake, in particular a pivot axis portion of the brake arm, extends outwards from an inner region situated below the contact surface through each of said openings. The opening can for example be open downwards, i.e. towards the lower side of the plate body or the upper side of the ski, in order to be able to insert the brake arms into the opening while assembling the heel piece. When the heel piece is fastened to the upper side of the ski via the lower side of the base plate, the upper side of the ski covers the opening, whereby the opening forms a channel which extends outwards from the inner region and in which the pivot axis portion is arranged such that it can pivot about the pivot axis. In embodiments, it is possible for no material to be arranged between the pivot axis portion and the upper side of the ski, or the pivot axis portion can be supported directly on the upper side of the ski. Alternatively, an intermediate piece can be arranged between the pivot axis portion and the upper side of the ski, on which the pivot axis portion can be supported towards the upper side of the ski. The intermediate piece can be the aforementioned reinforcing structure, a portion of said reinforcing structure or a part which is separate from said reinforcing structure.

The base plate, in particular the plate body, and/or the optional reinforcing structure can mount the brake arms or the pivot axis portions of the brake arms such that they can pivot about the pivot axis. Preferably, 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 the plate body of the base plate which forms the contact surface. This enables the portion of the base plate which forms the contact surface to be designed in a way which is compact in terms of the brace height on the one hand and stable on the other.

The base plate, in particular the plate body, can comprise a plurality of transit holes or bores via which the base plate can be fastened to the upper side of the ski by means of fastening screws which are screwed into the ski. The base plate can for example comprise rear transit holes for rear fastening screws and front transit holes for front fastening screws.

The rear third or rear quarter of the base plate, in particular the plate body, can comprise rear transit holes for receiving the rear fastening screws. The rear transit holes can be arranged in the region of the threaded segments which the threaded spindle of the base body engages in order to form the adjusting device. Two rear transit holes can for example be provided, one of which is arranged on one side and the other on the other side, i.e. on both sides, of the threaded segments or an insert which forms the threaded segments.

The base plate, in particular the plate body, can in one embodiment comprise front transit holes, such as for example two transit holes, in the front half outside the contact surface, for receiving the front fastening screws. The front transit holes can be arranged behind the contact surface, such as for example directly behind the contact surface, or adjacent to the contact surface. Alternatively or additionally, the front transit holes can be arranged such that the base body, such as for example a first guide element and a second guide element of the base body, can be slid over the front transit holes and the front fastening screws. The front transit holes can be arranged on a first guide portion and a second guide portion which are formed by the plate body for guiding the first and second guide elements of the base body. One of these transit holes can be formed on the first guide portion, and the other of these transit holes can be formed on the second guide portion. By enabling the base body to be slid over the front transit holes and/or front fastening screws, the heel piece can be designed to be compact and in particular short.

In another embodiment, the contact surface of the base plate, in particular the plate body, can comprise front transit holes, such as for example two transit holes, for receiving the front fastening screws. Arranging the transit holes and/or fastening screws in the contact surface, which is preferably situated in the front third of the plate body, enables a stable design, since the front and rear transit holes and/or fastening screws are relatively far apart. The front transit holes can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis portions. The center axes of the transit holes can for example be arranged at a distance of less than or equal to 10 mm from the pivot axis on which the pivot axis portions of the ski brake lie.

Alternatively or additionally, the front transit holes can be arranged between the pivot axis or the pivot axis portion(s) of the ski brake and the rear end of the contact surface, i.e. the end of the contact surface pointing towards the base body or the rear transit holes. The front transit holes are preferably arranged closer to the pivot axis portion than to the rear end of the contact surface. This dissipates forces introduced through the ski brake particularly well and prevents the portion of the plate body which forms the contact surface from being “lifted” off of the upper side of the ski. Even more specifically, the front transit holes can be arranged between the pivot axis portion of the ski brake and the third rotational axis about which the pivot arm of the ski brake is rotatably mounted.

Alternatively, however, the front transit holes can be arranged between the pivot axis or the pivot axis portion(s) of the ski brake and the front end of the contact surface, i.e. the end of the contact surface pointing away from the base body. The front transit holes are preferably arranged closer to the pivot axis portion than to the front end of the contact surface. This dissipates forces introduced through the ski brake particularly well and prevents the portion of the plate body which forms the contact surface from being “lifted” off of the upper side of the ski.

It is generally advantageous if the front transit holes can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis portions, such that a sufficient holding force on the foot plate is generated by means of screwing the front fastening screws in the ski, such that the portion of the base plate which forms the contact surface is prevented from being “lifted” off of the upper side of the ski.

A reinforcing insert can also be provided which is inserted into the front transit holes and is for example made of metal. The reinforcing insert can for example comprise annular portions which are inserted into the front transit holes. The front fastening screw can extend through the annular portion and the transit hole and can preferably be supported at its screw head on the annular portion. This can reduce the risk of damage to the transit holes or the plate body from loads dissipated via the screw and/or the screw head. The reinforcing insert can for example comprise a connecting portion which connects the annular portions and is for example set back in relation to the contact surface. The connecting portion can comprise a U-shaped portion which is set back in relation to the contact surface towards the upper side of the ski or the lower side of the plate body. The U-shaped embodiment of said portion enables a compact design, in particular when the transit holes or fastening screws are arranged between the pivot axis of the ski brake and the rear end of the contact surface or the third rotational axis. The pivot arm of the ski brake can for example be pivoted into the U-shaped portion, i.e. between the two parallel limbs of the “U”, when the ski brake is moved into the travelling position, and can be pivoted out of the U-shaped portion when the ski brake is moved into the braking position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

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 h₁, 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 h₂, 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.

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.

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 h₁ is reduced, which has a positive effect on the handling characteristics. In the embodiments shown, the brace height h₁ 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 h₁ 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 h₂ 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).

The reduced brace height h₁ 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.

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.

An aspect of the invention has not only the advantage that the heel piece 1 enables a lower brace height h₁ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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°.

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.

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.

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.

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 h₁.

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.

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 d₁. 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.

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 d₂. 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 d₃, for example by means of a bearing shaft on the third rotational axis d₃. The first rotational axis d₁ is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the second rotational axis d₂. The third rotational axis d₃ 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 d₁. Instead, this arrangement holds the actuating plate 46 in defined pivot positions in relation to the base plate 10.

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 d₂, on the actuating plate 46.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 h₁. Ideally, the height of the actuating plate 46 is less than the brace height h₁.

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.

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.

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.

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 d₃ 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.

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.

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

• • 1 heel piece
  • 2 ski
  • 3 upper side of the ski
  • 4 lower side of the ski
  • 5 foot plate
  • 10 base plate
  • 10a plate body
  • 10b marking
  • 10c threaded segments
  • 10c opening
  • 11 contact surface
  • 12a first guide portion/guide rail
  • 12b second guide portion/guide rail
  • 13a first actuating surface
  • 13b second actuating surface
  • 14a rear fastening screws
  • 14b front fastening screws
  • 15 insert/reinforcing structure
  • 15a main part
  • 15b tab
  • 15c tab
  • 16 bore/hole
  • 16a bore/hole
  • 17a first fin
  • 17b second fin
  • 17c first passage
  • 17d second passage
  • 18 protrusion
  • 19 tongue
  • 20 base body
  • 21a first guide element
  • 21b second guide element
  • 22 threaded spindle
  • 30 heel retainer
  • 31 holding jaw
  • 32 foot spur
  • 33 heel retainer pivot axis
  • 34 spring
  • 40 ski brake
  • 41 first brake arm
  • 41a first pivot axis portion
  • 41b plastic cap
  • 42 second brake arm
  • 42a second pivot axis portion
  • 42b plastic cap
  • 43 first connecting portion
  • 44 second connecting portion
  • 45 rotational axis portion
  • 46 actuating plate
  • 47 holding plate
  • 48 torsion spring
  • 49 pivot arm
  • 50 ski boot
  • 51 sole
  • 52 protrusion
  • 60 reinforcing insert
  • 61 first annular portion
  • 62 second annular portion
  • 63 connecting portion
  • 64 U-shaped portion
  • d₁ first rotational axis
  • d₂ second rotational axis
  • d₃ third rotational axis
  • h₁ brace height
  • h₂ holding jaw height
  • L longitudinal direction (of the ski)
  • s pivot axis