HEEL UNIT FOR A SKI TOURING BINDING, AND SKI TOURING BINDING

Description

The invention relates to a heel unit for a touring ski binding, wherein the heel unit can be moved into an entry position, an intermediate position and a climbing position and wherein the heel unit comprises:

• • a ski brake which can be moved into an active position and an inactive position,
  • a heel clamp with a rotatable holding body for holding a ski boot, wherein the holding body has a vertical axis of rotation, and
  • a ski brake lock,
    wherein the heel unit in the active position of the ski brake can be moved into the entry position and into the intermediate position by pivoting the holding body,
    wherein in the intermediate position of the heel unit, by actuating the ski brake, the ski brake is moved from the active position to the inactive position and thus the heel unit is moved from the intermediate position to the climbing position and
    wherein in the climbing position of the heel unit, the ski brake is moved from the inactive position to the active position by rotating the holding body and thus the heel unit is moved to the entry position.

Such a heel unit is known, for example, from AT 515 190 B1. The heel unit comprises a heel clamp with a rotatable holding body (“binding body”), a ski brake (“brake assembly”) and a ski brake lock. The ski brake can be moved into an inactive position (“braking position”) and an active position (“driving position”), wherein the ski brake is pre-tensioned into the active position, in particular by means of a conventional torsion spring. The ski brake lock is formed by a first control section located on the holding body and a second control section positioned on the ski brake. In the active position of the ski brake, the heel unit can be moved into an entry position (“downhill position”) and an intermediate position by rotating the holding body. In the intermediate position, the first control section points towards the tip of the ski and has one end section above the second control section. In principle, there are two ways to operate the ski brake lock. A first option is to actuate the ski brake in the entry position of the heel unit so that the second control section is rotated about an axis of rotation running in the transverse direction and approaches the ski plane, and to rotate the holding body when the ski brake is actuated, whereby the first control section slides behind the second control section and blocks it (ski brake in the inactive position, heel unit in the climbing position). The intermediate position is “bypassed” in this procedure. A second option, which is not described in the publication but is quite common among users, is to rotate the holding body starting from the heel unit in the entry position (heel unit in the intermediate position) and then actuate the ski brake, wherein the second control section carries out the described rotational movement and hits the second control section from above, whereby—with the appropriate application of force—the second control section is pushed away together with the entire holding body in such a way that the first control section slides behind the second control section and blocks it (ski brake in the inactive position, heel unit in the climbing position). In the climbing position of the heel unit, the heel unit is moved back to the entry position by rotating the holding body.

Operating the ski brake lock according to AT 515 190 B1 is uncomfortable in the first option mentioned above. In the second option mentioned above, a strong mechanical load occurs which is unfavourable with regard to the durability of the heel clamp. There is also a risk that components of the ski brake lock will freeze, making it impossible or very difficult to operate.

Another heel unit of the type mentioned in the introduction is known from AT 514 518 B1. The heel unit comprises a ski brake, a heel clamp with a rotatable holding body and a ski brake lock with a hook. The heel clamp has a projecting cam with a curved running surface on the outside of its housing (“upper section 26”), wherein the housing is pre-tensioned against a brake housing (“frame 28”) of the ski brake by means of a compression spring aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. When the heel unit moves from the entry position to an intermediate position, the heel clamp is rotated against the force of the compression spring while being displaced backwards (i.e. away from the brake housing), wherein the curved running surface on the cam touches a projection on the brake housing.

At the same time, due to the backward movement of the heel clamp, a hook of the ski brake lock that is operatively connected to the heel clamp is released (“activated”). When the ski brake is subsequently actuated, the hook pivots about a transverse axis and snaps into a part of the ski brake, holding it in the inactive position while at the same time increasing the preload on a compression spring acting on the hook. When the heel clamp is turned back, the hook is swung back by the compression spring acting on it, so that the ski brake is pressed into the active position via a torsion spring and the heel unit returns to the entry position.

Another heel unit of the type mentioned in the introduction is known from EP 3 345 659 B1. The heel unit comprises a ski brake with a plate-like brake bearing, a brake holder and a pre-tensioned brake bracket pivotably mounted on the brake bearing. The heel unit can be moved into an entry position (“holding configuration”), a climbing position (“walking configuration”) and an intermediate position. The brake bearing is mounted in a heel support so that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is pre-tensioned backwards in the active position of the ski brake so that the brake bearing and the brake bracket are moved backwards. By turning the heel clamp by 180°, the heel unit is moved from the entry position to the intermediate position. A projection on the heel clamp pushes the brake bearing forward against the preload of the brake bracket, whereby the brake bracket is within reach of the brake holder (intermediate position of the heel unit). If the ski brake is now activated, the brake bracket engages with the brake holder (ski brake in the inactive position, heel unit in the climbing position). When the heel unit moves from the climbing position back to the entry position, the brake bracket is released from the brake holder so that the ski brake assumes the active position.

Therefore, heel units for touring ski bindings are known in which the pivoting movement of the holding body is in functional interaction with the ski brake lock, which is preferable with regard to the simplest and most intuitive operation of the ski brake lock.

With the ski brake locks known to date, there is a risk that the functionality of the ski brake locks will be impaired by external influences, which may, for example, lead to icing of components of the ski brake lock.

The object of the invention is therefore to ensure a reliable and flawless functioning of the ski brake lock in a heel unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, in particular even under extreme weather conditions.

This object is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact the ski brake lock comprises a linearly displaceable, spring-loaded actuating rod connected to the ski brake and a slotted guide located in the heel clamp,

• • wherein the slotted guide comprises a locking element aligned along the vertical axis of rotation of the holding body, rotating with the holding body and moving along the axis of rotation, spring-loaded in the direction of the ski plane,
  • wherein the locking element assumes a release position in the entry position of the heel unit, in which the ski brake remains in the active position when actuated, and
  • wherein the locking element assumes a locking position in the intermediate position of the heel unit, in which, when the ski brake is actuated, the actuating rod is brought into engagement with the locking element against its spring loading and against the spring loading of the locking element, so that the ski brake remains in the inactive position and the heel unit is in the climbing position,
  • wherein when the heel unit moves from the climbing position to the entry position, the locking element assumes the release position, whereby the actuating rod and the locking element are disengaged and the actuating rod is pushed back or retracted by its spring loading, so that the ski brake assumes the active position.

In the heel unit according to the invention, two components of the ski brake lock that can be brought into and out of engagement, namely the spring-loaded, specially mounted locking element and the spring-loaded actuating rod, form a “locking mechanism” located inside or in the area of the heel clamp, which is particularly well protected against external influences, such as mechanical stresses or external influences that lead to icing. This ensures that the ski brake lock works reliably and flawlessly.

According to one preferred embodiment, the actuating rod is spring-loaded in the longitudinal direction of the ski and in the direction of the ski tip, which supports a functionally reliable, compact design.

Another advantageous embodiment in this respect is characterised in that the actuating rod is a push rod spring-loaded by means of a prestressed compression spring or a pull rod spring-loaded by means of a torsion spring.

In this embodiment, it is also advantageous

• • a) if the push rod and the compression spring belong to a pre-tensioning device which pre-tensions the ski brake into the active position or
  • b) if the torsion spring forms a pre-tensioning device which pre-tensions the ski brake into the active position.

In variant a), the push rod and the compression spring therefore perform a dual function, so that components and thus weight are saved.

In the latter embodiment, it is further advantageous if the actuating rod is a push rod which has an in particular annular support projection located in its interior, on which the compression spring is supported.

Another preferred embodiment consists of the fact that the locking element and the actuating rod each have an inclined sliding surface which are aligned parallel to one another when the locking element is in the locking position and meet one another when the heel unit moves from the intermediate position to the climbing position. This measure protects the ski brake lock particularly reliably against icing.

The further developments of the latter preferred embodiment mentioned below additionally support the functionally reliable, compact design of the ski brake lock.

One of these further developments consists of the fact that the actuating rod has a locking projection which is in particular triangular in cross-section, on which the sliding surface is formed and via which the actuating rod can be made to engage with the locking element.

Another further development consists of the fact that the sliding surface of the locking element is formed at the one end of the locking element.

Another preferred embodiment is characterised in that the slotted guide has a guide track which runs in a ring-shaped manner in plan view and has two diametrically opposite, lowest points and two diametrically opposite, highest points, and wherein the locking element has two diametrically opposite control projections guided on the guide track. This ensures particularly reliable guidance of the locking element.

Another preferred embodiment provides that the holding body is rotatable about the vertical axis of rotation via a combined axial-radial bearing formed in the heel clamp, which comprises a pressing device, wherein by rotating the holding body it can be moved into a first position and into a second position, wherein the pressing device holds the holding body in the respective position and wherein the locking element is located in a through hole formed in the region of the axial-radial bearing and running along the vertical axis of rotation, wherein when the holding body is in the first position, the locking element is in the locking position and, when the holding body is in the second position, the locking element is in the release position and wherein a part of the slotted guide, in particular the guide track, is located in the through hole. This ensures particularly good protection of the locking element against external influences.

In the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the axial-radial bearing and the pressing device comprise a common, linearly displaceable, spring-loaded slider and the axial-radial bearing further comprises a tower-shaped bearing part, wherein the slider and the tower-shaped bearing part interact in such a way that the holding body is rotatably mounted on the tower-shaped bearing part.

Another preferred embodiment is characterised in that the heel clamp comprises a guide plate which has a plate-shaped base part with a recess formed on the underside and running in the longitudinal direction of the ski, in which the actuating rod is guided, wherein the actuating rod preferably has two lateral, web-shaped guide projections running parallel to the ski plane, which are guided on web-shaped support projections running parallel to one another, which protrude into the recess formed on the underside of the base part. This means that the push rod is particularly well protected from external influences, especially from icing.

In the last two preferred embodiments, one advantageous variant consists of the fact that the tower-shaped bearing part is a component of the guide plate and is located on the base part of the guide plate, wherein the through hole in which the locking element is located passes through the tower-shaped bearing part and the plate-shaped base part.

Another preferred embodiment is characterised in that the actuating rod has a cross-shaped receptacle in which a brake support bolt of a brake support of the ski brake is mounted in a manner pivotable about the brake support bolt. This ensures a particularly advantageous mounting of the ski brake on a part of the ski brake lock (the actuating rod).

Another advantageous embodiment is one in which the holding body has a housing with a receptacle, which is designed in particular as a blind hole and is preferably elongated, in which the locking element is received in a manner secured against twisting, wherein the locking element in particular has a locking element end section corresponding to the receptacle and flattened on opposite sides parallel to one another. This design also contributes to particularly good protection of the ski brake lock against icing.

The invention further relates to a touring ski binding with a heel unit according to one or more of claims 1 to 15.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the drawing

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a heel unit of a touring ski binding according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the heel unit in entry position,

FIG. 2a is an oblique view of the heel unit in entry position,

FIG. 2b shows a section along the line IIbc-IIbc of FIG. 2,

FIG. 2c is a perspective section along the line IIbc-IIbc of FIG. 2,

FIG. 2d shows a section along the line IId-IId of FIG. 2,

FIG. 3a is an oblique view of the heel unit in intermediate position,

FIG. 3b is a perspective section similar to FIG. 2c through the heel unit in intermediate position,

FIG. 3c is an enlargement of a section of FIG. 3b,

FIG. 4a is an oblique view of the heel unit in climbing position,

FIG. 4b is a section similar to FIG. 2b through the heel unit in climbing position,

FIG. 4c is a section of FIG. 4b as a perspective section,

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a brake housing,

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a guide plate,

FIG. 7 shows a section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 shows a section along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows a section along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is an oblique view of a push rod,

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a lower housing part and

FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a locking element.

The invention relates to a heel unit for a touring ski binding, which, in addition to the heel unit, comprises a front unit, for example a front clamp designed in a manner known per se.

The description and claims refer to a heel unit mounted on the ski. For the sake of clarity, a ski has been shown. Some of the terms used below are subsequently defined.

“Ski plane” refers to the flat part of the upper side of the ski to which the touring ski binding can be attached.

“Longitudinal direction of the ski” refers to the longitudinal direction of the ski as seen from above on the ski plane.

“Ski longitudinal section centre plane” refers to the plane perpendicular to the ski plane and running through the centre of the ski in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

“Transverse direction” refers to directions that are at a constant distance from the ski plane and, when viewed from above on the ski plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ski. The transverse direction is therefore perpendicular to the ski longitudinal section centre plane.

Direction and position information or related expressions such as “upper side” or “underside” of components, “vertical”, “upper”, “from above”, “rear” and the like refer to the orientation of the components in question with respect to the ski or the ski plane, the longitudinal direction of the ski, the transverse direction or the ski tip or the ski end.

First, the arrangement and design of the components of the heel unit will be discussed, followed by the functionality of the heel unit.

As shown in FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 2a, the heel unit comprises a guide rail 1, a heel clamp 2 (FIG. 2a) and a ski brake 3 connected to the heel clamp 2.

The guide rail 1 can be mounted on the ski in a known manner and is provided on its upper side with a surface depression 1a (FIG. 1) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski and centrally located with respect to the ski longitudinal section centre plane, in which at the end facing the ski end a central, thread-section-like engagement structure 1b (FIG. 1) running in the longitudinal direction of the ski is formed from alternating successive depressions and elevations. The heel clamp 2 (FIG. 2a) can be moved linearly on the guide rail 1 together with the ski brake 3 and can be fixed and released again in a variable position.

The ski brake 3 is designed substantially symmetrically to the ski longitudinal section centre plane and comprises a brake housing 4, a brake pedal 5, two brake levers 6 and a brake support 7 (FIG. 1).

According to FIG. 1, the brake housing 4 has on its side facing the ski tip two lateral through holes 4a running in a transverse direction and in alignment with one another, on its side facing the ski end a recess 4c formed on the underside (FIG. 5), the design of which will be discussed later, a through hole 4b running in a transverse direction in the area between the through holes 4a and the recess 4c (FIG. 5) and a slot-shaped recess 4d located in the ski longitudinal section centre plane and open towards the ski tip.

The brake pedal 5 has—on its underside—two through holes 5a facing the ski tip, running in a transverse direction and in alignment with one another (FIG. 2b: one through hole 5a can be seen) and two U-shaped receptacles 5b formed on the edges of the brake pedal 5, aligned with the through holes 5a (FIG. 2b), open to the respective edge and to the underside of the brake pedal 5 (one can be seen), as well as a through hole 5c facing the ski end, running in a transverse direction and passing through the ski longitudinal section centre plane (FIG. 2b, note: through hole 5c hidden), which is interrupted in sections by a slot-shaped recess 5d penetrating the brake pedal 5 perpendicular to the ski plane.

The brake support 7 lies substantially in the ski longitudinal section centre plane, has a through hole 7a at its end area facing the ski tip, a through hole 7b at its end area facing the ski end and a cam-like projection 7d located below the through hole 7b and closer to the ski plane than the through hole 7b, and a brake support bolt 7c formed on this, protruding on both sides and in particular penetrating the brake support 7. The through holes 7a, 7b and the brake support bolt 7c are each oriented in the transverse direction.

The brake support 7 extends in the region of its through hole 7a into the recess 5d of the brake pedal 5 and is connected to the brake pedal 5 via a brake pedal bolt 8, which is guided through the through hole 7a and the through hole 5c (FIG. 2b, through hole 5c covered), in a manner pivotably mounted about the brake pedal bolt 8. Furthermore, the brake support 7 extends in the region of its through-hole 7b into the slot-shaped recess 4d of the brake housing 4 and is connected to the brake housing 4 via a brake bolt 9, which is guided through the through hole 4b and the through hole 7b (cf. FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, through hole 7b covered), in a pivotably mounted manner. In addition, the brake support 7 is connected to a ski brake lock via the brake support bolt 7c, as will be explained in more detail below.

The brake levers 6 are designed in a manner known per se, run through the through holes 4a of the brake housing 4 and are accommodated on the underside of the brake pedal 5 in the receptacles 5b and the through holes 5a (cf. FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b).

As FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 2a shows, the heel clamp 2 (FIG. 2a) comprises a guide plate 10 and a holding body 11 located thereon (FIG. 2a) as well as further components (FIG. 1), which will be discussed in more detail below.

According to FIG. 1, the guide plate 10 is composed of a plate-shaped base part 12 and a substantially circular-cylindrical, tower-shaped bearing part 13 located on the base part and formed as a single piece therewith.

The base part 12 is designed symmetrically with respect to the ski longitudinal section centre plane (see FIG. 7), has a flat upper side 12a running parallel to the ski plane and an engagement projection 12b pointing in the direction of the ski tip, corresponding to the recess 4c located on the underside of the brake housing 4 (FIG. 5) and engaging therein in a form-fitting manner in a releasable manner. As shown in FIG. 6, the base part 12 is provided on its underside with an elongated recess 12c which runs in the longitudinal direction of the ski and extends through the entire base part 12, which is designed as a sleeve 12c′ (cf. FIG. 2c) at the end facing the ski tip and has a cover surface 12c″ facing away from the ski plane. A groove 12d extends from the cover surface 12c″ and projects deeper into the base part 12 than the recess 12c and is rectangular in plan view. At the end of the recess 12c facing the ski tip, two web-shaped support projections 12e are formed which lie opposite one another and extend into the recess 12c and run parallel to one another. In plan view, these support projections run in sections to the side of the groove 12d and project beyond it on both sides in the longitudinal extension.

According to FIG. 1, the bearing part 13 is located on the upper side 12a of the base part 12, wherein it is formed centrally on the upper side 12a with respect to the transverse direction and offset in the direction of the ski tip with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski. The bearing part 13 is composed of a lower bearing part section 13a and a circular disk-shaped upper bearing part section 13b located centrally thereon, which projects beyond the lower bearing part section 13a over its entire outer circumference.

The lower bearing section 13a has a rear support surface 13a′ running perpendicular to the ski plane and perpendicular to the ski longitudinal section centre plane and facing the ski end (FIG. 7, FIG. 8, lower bearing section 13a not numbered in FIG. 7) and a lateral support surface 13a″ running perpendicular to the ski plane and perpendicular to the rear support surface 13a′ (cf. FIG. 7, FIG. 9).

According to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the bearing part 13—i.e. both the lower bearing part section 13a (FIG. 8, FIG. 9) and the upper bearing part section 13b (FIG. 8, FIG. 9) —and the base part 12 are jointly penetrated by a through hole 14 which is circular in cross section and runs perpendicular to the ski plane and centrally through the bearing part 13 and which exits at the underside of the base part 12 at the groove 12d (FIG. 6, FIG. 8).

In the lower bearing section 13a (FIG. 8, FIG. 9), in the area of the lower end section of the through hole 14 facing the ski plane that adjoins the groove 12d (FIG. 8), a guide projection 15 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) is formed, which runs around the lower bearing section 13a (FIG. 8, FIG. 9) in a ring shape in plan view (FIG. 7), is symmetrical with respect to the ski longitudinal section centre plane and with respect to a transverse plane E₁ running perpendicular to this in plan view (FIG. 7, transverse plane E₁ coincides with line IX-IX) and gives the through hole 14 a hole end section 14a that is narrower than the rest of the through hole 14. On the upper side of the guide projection 15 (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) there is formed an annularly encircling guide track 15a (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) which—corresponding to the symmetry of the guide projection 15—is formed symmetrically with respect to the ski longitudinal section centre plane and the transverse plane E₁ (FIG. 7). The guide track 15a has two diametrically opposite, lowest points 15a′ (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) closest to the ski plane, through which the ski longitudinal section centre plane passes, and two diametrically opposite, highest points 15a″ (FIG. 7, FIG. 9) furthest away from the ski plane, through which the transverse plane E₁ (FIG. 7) passes. The guide track 15a falls steadily (without jumps) and continuously from the highest points 15a″ to the lowest points 15a′.

As shown in FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 2c, in the recess 12c formed on the underside of the base part 12 (FIG. 2c) there are arranged one after the other—viewed from the ski tip to the ski end—a push rod 16 which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is spring-loaded in the direction of the ski tip, a mechanically pre-tensioned compression spring 17 supported on the one longitudinal end of the push rod 16 and a screw-like adjusting element 18 which engages in the engagement structure 1b (FIG. 1) and is adjustable in its position relative to it, via the position of which the position of the heel clamp 2 (FIG. 2c) and ski brake 3 of the heel unit on the guide rail 1 (FIG. 1) can be adjusted. The push rod 16, the compression spring 17 and the adjusting element 18 form a pre-tensioning device 35 (FIG. 1) for the ski brake 3, as will be explained in more detail below.

According to FIG. 10, the push rod 16 is composed of a rod-shaped push rod section 16a facing the ski tip and a push rod section 16b facing the ski tip, having an arc-like cross-section perpendicular to the ski longitudinal section centre plane and open towards the ski plane (arc shape can be seen implicitly in FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c). The push rod section 16a is provided with a cross-shaped receptacle 16c which is open towards the upper side and which is formed by a receiving groove 16c′ which runs in the transverse direction and penetrates the push rod section 16a neither in the transverse direction nor perpendicular to the ski plane, and a receiving slot 16c″ which crosses the receiving groove 16c′, runs in the longitudinal direction of the ski and is open upwards and towards the front end of the push rod section 16a. The push rod section 16b has a locking projection 16d formed on its upper side, two lateral web-shaped guide projections 16e running parallel to the ski plane and a support projection 16f located in its interior which is annular in the exemplary embodiment (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, ring shape not shown). The locking projection 16d has, viewed in the longitudinal section of the ski, the shape or substantially the shape of a right-angled triangle and, viewed in the cross section mentioned, has a flat, inclined sliding surface 16d′ forming the base of the triangle, which slopes down towards the ski end to the ski plane (cf. FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c). The sliding surface 16d′ is therefore inclined to the ski plane.

As FIG. 2c in combination with FIG. 10 shows, the push rod 16 is positioned in the recess 12c of the base part 12 (FIG. 2c) and guided through the sleeve 12c′ (FIG. 2c) in such a way that the cross-shaped receptacle 16c (FIG. 10) protrudes from the base part 12, more precisely from the sleeve 12c′, in the direction of the ski tip (FIG. 2c), the locking projection 16d (FIG. 10) is guided in the groove 12d of the base part 12 (FIG. 2c), the guide projections 16c (FIG. 10) rest on the support projections 12e of the base part 12 (FIG. 6) and the spring abutments of the compression spring 17 (FIG. 2c) are formed on the support projection 16f (FIG. 2c) and on the adjusting element 18 (FIG. 2c), so that the compression spring 17 (FIG. 2c) pushes the push rod 16 (FIG. 2c) in the direction of the ski tip. The brake support bolt 7c (FIG. 2c) is inserted from above into the cross-shaped receptacle 16c (FIG. 10), wherein the brake support 7 (FIG. 2c) is mounted in the cross-shaped receptacle 16c (FIG. 10) so that it can pivot about the brake support bolt 7c (FIG. 2c) and wherein the receiving slot 16c″ (FIG. 10) ensures the required relative movement between the brake support 7 (FIG. 2c) and the push rod 16 when the brake pedal 5 is depressed (FIG. 2c).

As already mentioned, the compression spring 17 (FIG. 2c) is mechanically pre-tensioned and acts on the push rod 16. As long as the ski brake 3 (FIG. 2c) is not mounted, the push rod section 16b (FIG. 10) ensures that the push rod 16 cannot protrude forward from the base part 12 (FIG. 2c). When connecting the ski brake 3 to the guide plate 10 (FIG. 1) —wherein the connection, as already mentioned, takes place via the engagement projection 12b (FIG. 1) and the recess 4c (FIG. 5) —the brake support bolt 7c (FIG. 1) is introduced into the cross-shaped receptacle 16c (FIG. 10) in such a way that the push rod 16 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2c, FIG. 10) is pushed backwards while creating a preload of the compression spring 17 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2c). As soon as the ski brake 3 is connected to the guide plate 10 (FIG. 1), the push rod 16 and via this the brake support 7 and thus the ski brake 3 are spring-loaded (FIG. 2c). The push rod 16, the compression spring 17 and the adjusting element 18 thus form the aforementioned pre-tensioning device 35 (FIG. 1).

As FIG. 1 shows, the holding body 11 (FIG. 2a) has a housing 19 which is composed of an elongated cuboid-shaped lower housing part 20 and an upper housing part 21 pushed onto the latter, wherein the upper housing part 21 is connected to the lower housing part 20 via a bolt connection comprising two bolts 22 running in the transverse direction.

According to FIG. 11, the lower housing part 20 is penetrated by an elongated hole-shaped opening 20a which runs perpendicular to the ski plane and is aligned in the longitudinal extension of the lower housing part 20, so that the lower housing part 20 is designed like a frame. In the interior of the lower housing part 20 in its lower half (see FIG. 1) there is a U-shaped guide projection 20b which runs around one longitudinal end of the opening 20a in plan view (viewing direction perpendicular to the ski plane) and two guide projections 20c which are located at the other longitudinal end in extension of the U-legs of the guide projection 20b, opposite one another and run straight in plan view, wherein the guide projections 20b, 20c end at the same level perpendicular to the ski plane in the interior of the lower housing part 20 (see FIG. 1). The guide projections 20b, 20c give the opening 20a a U-shaped opening section 20a′ relative to the outer circumference and a circular opening section 20a″ in plan view. In the lower housing part 20, on the side facing the circular opening section 20a″, a threaded bore 20d is formed which passes through the lower housing part 20 and is diametrically opposite to the U-shaped opening section 20a′ (not shown in FIG. 11, see FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c). To assemble the holding body 11 (FIG. 2a), the lower housing part 20 can be pushed from above onto the bearing part 13 (FIG. 1) via the circular opening section 20a″.

As shown in FIG. 1 in combination with FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c, in the area of the housing lower part 20 (numbered only in FIG. 1) there is a cuboid and block-like slider 24 (numbered only in FIG. 1), a compression spring 23 and an actuator 25, which together form a pressing device 36 (FIG. 1) for the holding body 11 (FIG. 2a). The slider 24 is spring-loaded by the compression spring 23, wherein the slider 24 and the compression spring 23 are arranged in the lower housing part 20 (FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, lower housing part 20 and slider 24 only numbered in FIG. 1) and the actuator 25 is screwed into the threaded bore 20d (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c). According to FIG. 1, the slider 24 has on its opposite sides a stepped projection 24a and a blind hole 24b running at a constant distance from the ski plane (FIG. 2b) as well as on its other opposite sides straight and parallel running web-shaped guide projections 24c, which are constantly and consistently spaced apart from the ski plane. The compression spring 23 is supported inside the blind hole 24b (FIG. 2b) and inside the actuator 25 (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c), so that one spring abutment is formed by the blind hole 24b and the other spring abutment is formed by the actuator 25. The slider 24 is guided in the lower housing part 20 in a linearly displaceable manner in the longitudinal extension of the lower housing part 20 via its guide projections 24c (FIG. 1) and the guide projections 20b, 20c (FIG. 11) located inside the lower housing part 20, wherein it is pressed by the compression spring 23 in the direction of the bearing part 13 so that the offset projection 24a engages under the upper bearing part section 13b (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c).

Due to the described mounting of the lower housing part 20 (FIG. 1) on the bearing part 13 (FIG. 1), the holding body 11 (FIG. 2a) is rotatable about the bearing part 13 and therefore about a vertical axis of rotation a₁ (FIG. 2b) running in particular centrally through the through hole 14 (FIG. 1). The vertical axis of rotation a₁ is perpendicular to the ski plane.

The bearing part 13 (FIG. 1) forms together with the pressing device 36 (FIG. 1) a combined axial-radial bearing, which allows the pivoting movement of the holding body 11 (FIG. 2a) relative to the guide plate 10 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2a).

According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, the housing upper part 21 has on its upper side a holding element 21a on the edge located at the one end region, two central holding elements 21b spaced at the same distance from this and lying opposite one another (only one can be seen in FIG. 2a) and a circular segment-like holding element 21c on the edge. A retaining bracket 26 designed as a U-bracket is guided around the holding elements 21a, 21b, 21c on the outside, which bracket is in contact with them and is pressed against them due to its design. The bracket has two free ends for receiving a correspondingly designed ski boot and is placed in the region of its curved section against the circular segment-like, edge-side holding element 21c, the holding elements 21a, 21b projecting over the retaining bracket 26 on its upper side in the manner of a clamp (FIG. 2a). By means of a securing element 27, the retaining bracket 26 is secured against being pushed down from the upper housing part 21. As shown in FIG. 1, a climbing aid spring 28 which surrounds the one middle holding element 21b in a U-shape is located between the middle holding elements 21b. Above the climbing aid spring 28, a bolt 29 is arranged which is guided between the middle holding elements 21b and attached to the edge-side holding elements 21a, 21c, on which two climbing aids 30, 31 are pivotally mounted. During the pivoting movement, the climbing aids 30, 31 interact with the climbing aid spring 28 in such a way that the climbing aid spring 28 is pressed downwards and the climbing aids 30, 31 are thus held in position.

According to FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, FIG. 2d, the upper housing part 21 has a receptacle 32 (see FIG. 4c) extending from its underside, running perpendicular to the ski plane, located in a straight extension of the through hole 14 (FIG. 1), designed as a blind hole, with a rectangular or elongated hole-shaped cross section parallel to the ski plane.

According to FIG. 1, FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c and FIG. 2d, a pin-shaped, elongated locking element 33 which is spring-loaded in the direction of the ski plane is positioned in the interior of the housing 19 (FIG. 1) in the through hole 14 passing through the bearing part 13 and the base part 12. The locking element 33 is therefore aligned along the vertical axis of rotation a₁ (FIG. 2b), is located in the heel clamp 2 (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c) and is further away from the ski plane than the push rod 16 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c). According to FIG. 12, the locking element 33 has an upper locking element end section 33a which is flattened on opposite sides parallel to one another and which is received by the receptacle 32 (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, FIG. 2d) on the underside of the upper housing part 21 in a manner secured against twisting, two diametrically opposed control projections 33b (one can be seen), via which the locking element 33 rests on the guide track 15a of the guide projection 15 in the interior of the through hole 14 (FIG. 2d), and a lower locking element end section 33c located in the hole end section 14a (cf. FIG. 2d). The upper locking element end section 33a has-due to its flattening—two flat surfaces 33a′ aligned parallel to each other. The free end of the lower locking element end section 33c is chamfered below the one control projection 33b, so that the lower locking element end section 33c has a flat, inclined sliding surface 33c′ at its free end. The sliding surface 33c′ is therefore inclined to the ski plane. As FIG. 12 in combination with FIG. 1 shows, the locking element 33 is positioned in the through hole 14 (FIG. 1) such that—in the entry position of the heel unit, as will be explained—the sliding surface 33c′ (FIG. 12) points towards the lateral support surface 13a″ (FIG. 1) of the lower bearing part section 13a (FIG. 1) (see also FIG. 2d). As FIG. 12 further shows, a compression spring 34 is pushed onto the locking element 33 from above, wherein the one spring abutment is formed by the control projections 33b (cf. FIG. 2d) and the other spring abutment is formed at the outlet of the receptacle 32 (see FIG. 2b to FIG. 2d). The compression spring 34 presses the locking element 33 towards the ski plane. The spring-loaded locking element 33 forms together with the guide track 15a (FIG. 7) a slotted guide.

The functionality of the heel unit is explained below.

The heel unit can assume an entry position, a downhill position, an intermediate position and a climbing position.

The ski brake 3 can assume an active position and an inactive position.

The locking element 33 can assume a release position and a locking position.

The holding body 11 and the slider 24 can assume mutually corresponding first positions and mutually corresponding second positions.

The heel unit comprises a ski brake lock and a side release function group.

The Heel Unit in the Entry Position

FIG. 2a to FIG. 2d show the heel unit in the entry position for getting into the touring ski binding and subsequently holding a ski boot. According to FIG. 2a, in the entry position, the holding body 11 is aligned with respect to the guide plate 10 in such a way that a ski boot inserted into a front unit and having corresponding receptacles for the retaining bracket 26 can be made to engage with the retaining bracket 26 (first position of the holding body 11). As shown in FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c, the compression spring 17 presses the push rod 16 in the direction of the ski tip, whereby the brake pedal 5 is pressed upwards via the brake support 7 and the free ends of the brake levers 6 are pressed downwards, so that the ski brake 3 is in the active position mentioned, i.e. is pre-tensioned into this by means of the pre-tensioning device 35 (FIG. 1). If the ski brake 3 is in the active position, the brake levers 6 protrude from the ski plane in the known manner and engage the ground. The compression spring 23 presses the slider 24 (FIG. 1) in the direction of the bearing part 13, wherein the offset projection 24a of the slider 24 (FIG. 1) is pressed against the rear support surface 13a′ of the lower bearing part section 13a, so that the heel clamp 2 is secured against unintentional twisting (first position of the slider 24). By turning the actuator 25, the preload of the compression spring 23 and thus the release force to be overcome for the lateral release of the heel clamp 2 is adjusted (see The heel unit in the downhill position). The locking element 33 sits with its control projections 33b (FIG. 12) on the highest points 15a″ (FIG. 7, FIG. 9) of the guide track 15a (FIG. 7, FIG. 8), so that the lower locking element end section 33c is located outside (above) the groove 12d of the base part 12 (FIG. 2c), wherein the locking element 33—as already mentioned—is inserted in such a way that the sliding surface 33c′ faces the lateral support surface 13a″ of the lower bearing part section 13a (FIG. 2d). The locking element 33 is in the release position, which defines a first position of the locking element 33 relative to the ski plane.

The Heel Unit in the Downhill Position (not Shown)

When stepping into the heel unit, the ski boot is brought into engagement with the retaining bracket 26 of the holding body 11 in a known manner, wherein the brake levers 6 are moved substantially into the ski plane via the brake pedal 5, i.e. come to rest to the side of the ski, so that the ski brake 3 is in the inactive position. If the ski brake 3 is in the inactive position, the brake levers 6 are thus located to the side of the ski and therefore do not engage the ground. As follows from FIG. 1, when stepping in, the push rod 16, which is connected to the brake pedal 5 via the brake support bolt 7c of the brake support 7, is pressed against the force of the compression spring 17 towards the ski end. After stepping in, the heel unit is in the downhill position, the ski brake 3 is in the inactive position, the locking element 33 remains in the release position and the slider 24 and the holding body 11 remain in their first positions.

When forces acting in a lateral direction exceed the release force (cf. The heel unit in the entry position), the holding body 11 is deflected by pivoting about the bearing part 13, more precisely about the vertical axis of rotation a₁ (FIG. 2b), so that the retaining bracket 26 is disengaged from the ski boot and substantially at the same time the push rod 16 is pressed in the direction of the ski tip by the mechanically pre-tensioned compression spring 17 and the ski brake 3 thereby assumes the active position via the brake support 7. The side release function group is thus formed by the pressing device 36 (slider 24, compression spring 23, actuator 25) and the rotatably mounted holding body 11.

The Heel Unit in the Intermediate Position

FIG. 3a to FIG. 3c show the heel unit in the intermediate position. As a comparison of FIG. 2a with FIG. 3a shows, in order to move the heel unit from the entry position to the intermediate position, the holding body 11 is to be rotated relative to the entry position relative to the guide plate 10 by 90° about the bearing part 13 (FIG. 3b), i.e. about the vertical axis of rotation a₁ (FIG. 2b), and against the force of the compression spring 23 (FIG. 1) such that the compression spring 23 (FIG. 1) presses the offset projection 24a of the slider 24 (FIG. 1) against the lateral support surface 13a″ (FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 3a) and the heel clamp 2 is secured against unintentional twisting (second position of the slider 24, second position of the holding body 11). If the heel clamp 2 is moved from the entry position into the intermediate position, the locking element 33 is rotated in a consistent manner to the heel clamp 2—as a comparison of FIG. 2c with FIG. 3b shows—since, as already explained, the upper locking element end section 33a is received by the slot-shaped receptacle 32 on the underside of the upper housing part 21 in a manner secured against twisting. At the same time, the locking element 33 is changed in its height position relative to the rest of the heel clamp 2, since the control projections 33b (FIG. 3b) are pushed along the guide track 15a (FIG. 7) from the highest points 15a″ (FIG. 7, FIG. 9) to the lowest points 15a′ (FIG. 7, FIG. 8), whereby the locking element 33 is moved along the axis of rotation a₁ (FIG. 2) and is lowered relative to the heel clamp 2 in the direction of the ski plane so that—as FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c show—the lower locking element end section 33c protrudes into the groove 12d of the base part 12 and due to the rotation the sliding surface 33′c (FIG. 3c) is aligned in the direction of the ski tip and parallel and opposite to the sliding surface 16d′ of the locking projection 16d. The locking element 33 is now in the locking position, which defines a second position of the locking element 33 relative to the ski plane. The ski brake 3 (FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b) remains in the active position.

The heel unit can be moved from the intermediate position to the climbing position (see The heel unit in the climbing position).

Furthermore, the heel unit can be moved back into the entry position from the intermediate position by rotating the holding body 11 accordingly.

The Heel Unit in the Climbing Position

FIG. 4a to FIG. 4c show the heel unit in the climbing position, in which the ski boot is released in the heel area and the climbing aids 30, 31 (FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b) can be used as intended. As a comparison of FIG. 3a with FIG. 4a shows, in order to move the heel unit from the intermediate position (FIG. 3a) to the climbing position (FIG. 4a), the ski brake 3 has to be moved from the active position to the inactive position. This is done in particular by exerting appropriate pressure on the brake pedal 5, preferably by the skier who steps on the brake pedal 5. In this case—as a comparison of FIG. 3b with FIG. 4b shows—the push rod 16 is pushed against the force of the compression spring 17 in the direction of the ski end via the brake support 7, so that—as a comparison of FIG. 3c with FIG. 4c shows—the locking projection 16d with its sliding surface 16d′ hits the sliding surface 33c′ of the lower locking element end section 33c and the locking element 33 in the locking position is briefly lifted against the force of the compression spring 34 and out of the groove 12d (the locking element 33 thus moves briefly away from the ski plane). As soon as the locking projection 16d has passed the locking element 33, the locking element 33 in the locking position is pressed downwards by the compression spring 34—as shown in FIG. 4c—whereby the locking element end section 33c returns to the groove 12d, the locking projection 16d engages behind the lower locking element end section 33c and the ski brake 3 is thereby held in the inactive position.

The aforementioned ski brake lock is therefore formed by the aforementioned slotted guide consisting of the spring-loaded locking element 33 (FIG. 1) and the guide track 15a (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) as well as by the spring-loaded push rod 16 (FIG. 1). The spring-loaded push rod 16 is at the same time part of the aforementioned pre-tensioning device 35 (FIG. 1).

In order to bring the heel unit from the climbing position (FIG. 4a) into the entry position (FIG. 2a), the holding body 11 must be pivoted or pivoted back accordingly. In this case, the slider 24 (FIG. 1) is moved from the second position into the first position and the control projections 33b (FIG. 4c) of the locking element 33 (FIG. 4c) are pushed along the guide track 15a (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) from the lowest points 15a′ (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) to the highest points 15a″ (FIG. 7, FIG. 9), whereby the locking element 33 is raised in such a way that the lower locking element end section 33c moves out of the groove 12d of the base part 12 (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c), so that the lower locking element end section 33c no longer engages behind the locking projection 16b. The locking element 33 is thus moved from its locking position to the release position. As soon as the locking element 33 is in the release position, the push rod 16 is moved in the direction of the ski tip via the pre-tensioned compression spring 17 and the ski brake 3 is thus moved into the active position (FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c).

The ski brake lock from the slotted guide (from the spring-loaded locking element 33 and guide track 15a) and the spring-loaded push rod 16 thus holds the ski brake 3 in the inactive position when the heel unit is in the climbing position and ensures that the ski brake 3 is moved from the inactive position to the active position when the heel unit moves from the climbing position to the entry position.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described.

The locking element 33 can have only a single control projection.

The pre-tensioning device 35 for the ski brake 3 can be formed by a torsion spring installed in the area of the ski brake 3, which pre-tensions the ski brake 3 into the active position. Instead of the push rod 16, a pull rod is provided, which is pulled by the torsion spring via the brake support 7 in the direction of the ski tip. The compression spring 17 is thus dispensed with. When the ski brake 3 is activated, the pull rod is pushed towards the ski end against the force of the torsion spring.

The compression spring 17 or the torsion spring form a brake setting spring that preloads the ski brake 3 into the active position.

The push rod 16 or the pull rod each represent, in a generalized form, an actuating rod belonging to the ski brake lock, which is connected in an articulated manner to a part of the ski brake 3 and which is further spring-loaded in the longitudinal direction of the ski and in the direction of the ski tip.

List of reference symbols

	1	guide rail
	1a	superficial depression
	1b	engagement structure
	2	heel clamp
	3	ski brake
	4	brake housing
	4a	through hole
	4b	through hole
	4c	recess
	4d	slot-shaped recess
	5	brake pedal
	5a	through hole
	5b	receptacle
	5c	through hole
	5d	slot-shaped recess
	6	brake lever
	7	brake support
	7a	through hole
	7b	through hole
	7c	brake support bolt
	7d	cam-like projection
	8	brake pedal bolt
	9	brake bolt
	10	guide plate
	11	holding body
	12	base part
	12a	upper side
	12b	engagement projection
	12c	recess
	12c′	sleeve
	12c″	cover surface
	12d	groove
	12e	support projection
	13	bearing part
	13a	lower bearing part section
	13a′	rear support surface
	13a″	lateral support surface
	13b	upper bearing part section
	14	through hole
	14a	hole end section
	15	guide projection
	15a	guide track
	15a′	lowest point
	15a″	highest point
	16	push rod
	16a	push rod section
	16b	push rod section
	16c	cross-shaped receptacle
	16c′	receiving groove
	16c″	receiving slot
	16d	locking projection
	16d′	sliding surface
	16e	guide projection
	16f	support approach
	17	compression spring
	18	adjusting element
	19	housing
	20	lower housing part
	20a	opening
	20a′, 20a″	opening section
	20b	guide projection
	20c	guide projection
	20d	threaded bore
	21	upper housing part
	21a	edge-side holding element
	21b	middle holding element
	21c	edge-side holding element
	22	bolt
	23	compression spring
	24	slider
	24a	offset projection
	24b	blind hole
	24c	guide projection
	25	actuator
	26	retaining bracket
	27	securing element
	28	climbing aid spring
	29	bolt
	30	climbing aid
	31	climbing aid
	32	receptacle
	33	locking element
	33a	upper locking element end section
	33a′	area
	33b	control projection
	33c	lower locking element end section
	33c′	sliding surface
	34	compression spring
	35	pre-tensioning device
	36	pressing device
	E1	transverse plane
	a1	vertical axis of rotation