Dismountable ski binding

Description

Background

[0001] Cross-country or touring skiing is both very popular as a pastime and a competitive sport. In such skiing, the sports practitioner walks or skis along the flat or slightly sloped course in skis. Several techniques are known in this regard, from simply moving the skis forward whilst maintaining them parallel with each other, or using a technique more similar to ice skating, wherein the skis are pushed out to the side and angled, such that the sports practitioner is moved forward.

[0002] In order to allow the sports practitioner to move efficiently whilst cross-country skiing, it is typical for the ski boot or shoe of the practitioner to be held in a rotatable manner. Most commonly, the ski boot or shoe of the practitioner is provided with a fixing means, often a holding bar or pin forming part of' the front or sole of the ski boot or shoe, which is clipped into part of the ski binding. In this way, the ski boot or shoe is held only in one place by means of this holding bar or pin, and can thus rotate around the fixing portion provided on the ski binding. In general, the fixing point is provided at the front of' the ski boot or shoe, and the heel of the ski boot or shoe can be lifted off the surface of the ski. When skiing, the sports practitioner will typically rotate the boot or shoe relative to the ski, as they propel themselves forward in one of the above standard techniques. It is important, however, that some form of biasing is provided in order to try and reposition the ski boot or shoe such that the heel of the ski boot or shoe (or toe if the rotation point is provided by the heel) is returned into contact with the ski. During the skiing motion, when the ski boot or shoe is rotated around the fixing point, and the other section of the ski boot or shoe is not in contact with the ski, the ski is typically about to the lifted from the ground by the sports practitioner. This is by virtue of the action used for the actual ski steps, wherein the boot or shoe is usually rotated around the fixing point and used to push the sports practitioner forward in so doing, at which point the sports practitioner must lift the ski up and place this in front of him or herself, prior to making the next ski step. At this point it is clear, that the ski needs to have some sort of biasing to stop the ski from rotating freely when no weight is positioned on it by the sports practitioner.

[0003] The biasing for stopping free rotation of the ski, is usually provided by means of a compressible flexor. Such a compressible flexor is positioned near the rotation point of the ski boot or shoe with the ski binding, in such a position that when the ski boot or shoe rotates in the binding, it compresses the flexor. The flexor will only allow compression so far, before it is completely compressed at which point the ski boot or shoe cannot be rotated further. Typically, the maximum compression of' the flexor is greater than the typical rotation of' the ski boot or shoe, however it is clear that when the flexor is compressed and the ski is removed from the snow and no weight is being used to maintain the rotation, the flexor will begin to bias the ski back into contact with the full sole of the ski boot or shoe. In this way, the sports practitioner can continue with the next step of the skiing, and position the first ski back on the ground in a satisfactory manner, without losing control of the ski from free rotation.

[0004] Ski bindings of' the type described above, i.e. those which benefit from the use of' a flexor, are generally well known in the art. For example, United States Patent No. 6,027,135 discloses a cross-country or touring ski binding for cross-country ski boots which have on the front soles thereof, in particular on the front ends of' the soles, complementary engagement members insertable into engagement members of the binding for producing an articulated connection. The engagement members on the soles comprise an articulated pin extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski and substantially parallel to the sole tread, and the complementary engagement members of the binding comprise a holder engaging over the articulated pin and forming a hinge therewith. The holder can be moved from a closing position to a releasing position and vice versa by an actuation lever mounted to be pivotable on the binding. A flexor is operative between the front end of' the sole and the binding or the ski and exerts a restoring force on the boot when the heel thereof is raised from the upper surface of' the ski. The closing and releasing positions of the holder are defined by corresponding locking positions of the actuation lever.

[0005] US 5,114,172 discloses a ski binding comprising a locking unit having a locking lever, a locking member and a flexor, where the locking unit including all of its components is slidably insertable into a housing of the ski binding. Similar features are also disclosed in DE 4142390 A1 disclosing a ski binding for ski jumping and US 6,739,615 disclosing a snowboard binding. The snowboard binding of US 6,739,615 comprises a part connected to a snowboard boot or being an integral part of the snowboard boot, that when inserted into a base plate connected to the snowboard releasable engages the base plate for secure use of the snowboard.

[0006] The flexor as described above for stopping the free rotation of the ski during cross-country, telemark, touring or roller-ski comprises grooves cut into the top surface allowing the flexor to compress upon receiving a force from the user's ski boot or shoe. However, the upwards and forwards movements of the user's ski boot or shoe tends to move the flexor out of position during use, which might reduce the flexors capability to compress.

[0007] Significant problems can arise should a malfunction or breakage occur within a ski binding of' this type. As an example, a rubber flexor is prone to perishing should the ski binding not be stored correctly over a period of many years. In the type of ski binding described above, the sports practitioner does not have the possibility of replacing just the rubber flexor, but must purchase an entire new ski binding for a significantly higher price. An analogous situation would arise should a problem with the ski binding itself occur.

[0008] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the problems described above, concerning the repair and maintenance of skiing equipment.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0009] The present invention provides a ski binding in accordance with independent claim 1. Further preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0010] The claimed invention can be better understood in view of the embodiments of the ski binding described hereinafter. In general, the described embodiments describe preferred embodiments of the invention. The attentive reader will note, however, that some aspects of' the described embodiments extend beyond the scope of the claims. To the respect that the described embodiments indeed extend beyond the scope of' the claims, the described embodiments are to be considered supplementary background information and do not constitute definitions of the invention per se. This also holds for the subsequent "Brief Description of the Drawings" as well as the "Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments."

[0011] In particular, the present disclosure relates to providing a ski binding, suitable for cross-country, telemark, touring or roller skiing, with a detachable locking unit which is used for securing the ski boot to the binding. The binding itself is anticipated to essentially be a regular ski binding, albeit one with additional features in and around the binding housing area. More specifically, these features are binding housing recesses and a snap-in flap, all of which act to permit the secure attachment and detachment of a removable locking unit. The locking unit is inserted and removed from the front of the binding, the front being defined as the end nearest the tip of the ski which points in the direction of travel, during normal use.

[0012] Primarily, the ski binding and locking unit of the present disclosure provide easy mounting and assembling means for the manufacturer or retailer. However, in the case where the ski binding is slidably attached to the ski, it is also possible for the user to attach and detach the ski binding and locking unit. The entire assembly offers a secure seating arrangement for a ski boot, with unintentional or accidental detachment of the locking unit being extremely unlikely. Also in case of any damage to the flexor or a disfunctional locking mechanism, the user has to replace just the locking unit but not the whole binding.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] 

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a ski binding separated from a detachable locking unit of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the locking unit of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the front end of the ski binding of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a ski binding and detachable locking unit of the present disclosure when coupled together.

Figure 5 shows a top elevation of a ski binding, detachable locking unit and housing guard of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the components depicted in Figure 5, as viewed along the section A-A.

Figure 7 shows a side elevation of a ski binding and detachable locking unit of the present disclosure when coupled together.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0014] Figure 1 shows a ski binding 2 separated from its locking unit 10.

[0015] Figure 2 provides a zoomed-in view on the perspective of Figure 1, showing locking unit 10 of the preferred embodiment in more detail. Each component is discussed below, along with their resultant synergistic effect.

[0016] The references made in the following passages are best depicted by Figure 2. Locking lever 12, as shown in the current embodiment by the figures, is a one-piece moulded component made from the engineering plastic POM (polyoxymethylene). The choice of using POM for locking lever 12 is due to its wear-resistant, low-friction and lightweight properties. However, alternative materials can be used to construct locking lever 12, such as other plastics or metals. Locking lever 12 can also consist of a plurality of independent parts which together form the lever, rather than forming a one-piece component.

[0017] Also in the current embodiment, locking lever 12 comprises a hole at its distal end from locking unit 10. This serves two general purposes: firstly, using less material reduces the cost of production and weight of the component; secondly, the hole allows the user of the lever to insert their finger or any other device which affords the user easy operation of' locking lever 12, particularly when unlocking the lever in order to detach the ski boot 3 from the binding 2. However, the presence of a hole in locking lever 12 is merely a design choice. An equivalent lever comprising fewer or more holes can be conceived without departing from the scope of the current disclosure.

[0018] The proximal end of' locking lever 12 is rotatably coupled to base plate 20 of mounting unit 18 via first and second locking lever axles 40 and 42. Upon insertion, the locking lever axles 40 and 42 each pass through a respective hole formed in jaws 22 of' base plate 20, after which the locking ever axles 40 and 42 each pass through a respective hole formed in the proximal end of locking lever 12. Two locking lever axles 40 and 42 form the axis of rotation about which locking lever 12 rotates during its operation.

[0019] Locking lever axles 40 and 42 not only provide an axis of rotation for locking lever 12, but serve a second purpose of retaining flexor 16 against base plate 20 (see later in the description for a more detailed description surrounding flexor 16).

[0020] In addition to the two holes adapted to receive the locking lever axles 40 and 42, locking lever 12 comprises two further holes adapted to receive the two free ends of locking member 14 (see later in the description for a more detailed description of locking member 14). Each of the holes in this second set is formed in recessed portions of locking lever 12. When locking lever 12 is in its open or unlocked position, the pre-tensioned locking member 14 is compressed by non-recessed parts of locking lever 12. When locking lever 12 is in its closed or locked position, pre-tensioned locking member 14 is allowed to relax into the recessed portions of locking lever 12. This has the effect of ensuring that locking lever 12, in the absence of external forces, remains in the locked position and thereby offers additional security to the user of the ski binding.
The use of two independent locking lever axles 40 and 42 is a design choice which increases the longevity of locking unit 10. As described above, pre-tensioned locking member 14 is allowed to expand into two recessed areas formed on locking lever 12 when the lever is in its closed or locked position. This expansion exerts a force on a portion of locking member 12 eccentric to its axis of' rotation. A reaction force is experienced by the portion of' locking member 12 opposite to where the expansion force is applied, i.e. 180° around the axis of rotation from where the expansion force is experienced, Part of' this reaction force is dissipated along the axis of rotation. In the present embodiment, the employment of two independent locking lever axles 40 and 42 which are not in contact with one another, along the axis of rotation, allows some of the reaction force to be absorbed. The reaction force has the effect of' moving the ends of non-contacting locking lever axles 40 and 42 towards one another. Should a single locking lever axle be employed along the axis of rotation, the reaction force would not be dissipated and would exert a stress on locking lever 12, increasing unnecessary wear-and-tear on both the single axle and locking lever 12, reducing the overall operational lifetime of locking unit 10.
In the preferred embodiment, flexor 16 (see Figures 5 to 7) is made from rubber and when viewed from above or below, has a generally "I"-shaped form. A deep recess is present along one surface of flexor 16 in order to accommodate locking lever axles 40 and 42. As previously mentioned, when mounted on mounting unit 18, locking lever axles 40 and 42 serve an additional function of keeping flexor 16 flush against base plate 20. As a component of locking unit 10, flexor 16 comprises a hole formed in one of its generally vertical sides, to allow free passage of locking member 14 during operation of locking unit 10. Flexor 16 comprises grooves cut into its top surface which allow the flexor to compress upon receiving a force from the user's ski boot or shoe 3. The "I"-shape and rubber material composition of flexor 16 are design choices made by the manufacturer. A different shape which is suitable for mounting as a component of locking unit 10 is anticipated, along with different materials for the construction of flexor 16. Rubber is one example of a suitable material, since it exhibits the compressible, elastic properties necessary for the successful operation of' ski binding 2. Other suitable materials are anticipated without departing from the scope of the current embodiment.

[0021] Base plate 20 forms the body upon which the components of locking member 10 are situated. When mounted on ski binding 2, the majority of base plate 20 is generally flat in shape, with a pair of jaws 22 extending vertically out of' the plane of the ski binding. Each jaw 22 comprises a hole adapted to accommodate one of the two locking lever axles 40 and 42.

[0022] As the locking unit 10 is slid into the accommodating binding housing 4, edge web 24 abuts binding 2, ensuring locking unit 10 is situated in the correct position for the successful operation of the locking unit. Within edge web 24 exists a hole, similar to the hole found in a vertical wall of flexor 16, allowing free passage of' moveable locking member 14 therethrough. Beneath this hole is edge web protrusion 28, extending parallel to the length of' ski 1 in a direction away from the front side F of' binding 2. Edge web protrusion 28 is receivably engaged in a first binding housing recess 30, formed in ski binding 2 on its housing. The combination of edge web 24 and edge web protrusion 28, cooperating with first binding housing recess 40, provide stability for locking unit 10 when attached to ski binding 2.
Additional stability and security of locking unit 10 is obtained by first and second base plate protrusions 32 and 34 interacting with second and third binding housing recesses 36 and 38. Protrusions 32 and 34 extend away from base plate 20 and away from each other, within the plane of ski binding 2. As locking unit 10 is slidably inserted into binding housing 4, protrusions 32 and 34 fit snugly into recesses 36 and 38 in addition to edge web protrusion 28 entering the first binding housing recess 30 All three protrusions 28, 32, 34, interacting with their corresponding binding housing recesses 30, 36, 38, ensure base plate 20 and, consequently, locking unit 10, are held fast in binding housing 4 against the surface of ski binding 2.

[0023] The generally flat area of base plate 20 is held against the surface of ski binding 2 in binding housing 4 by the above-described protrusions and recesses. Formed within the generally flat area of base plate 20 are two features, namely a vertical protrusion and a mounting unit recess 26.

[0024] The vertical protrusion of base plate 20 extends vertically out of the plane of the ski binding towards the overlying flexor 16. The vertical protrusion contacts a portion of flexor 16 which is situated between the vertical protrusion and edge web 24. The combination of the vertical protrusion and edge web 24 ensure that flexor 16 cannot move undesirably in a direction parallel to that of ski 1. This, in addition to jaws 22 and locking lever axles 40 and 42, prevents flexor 16 from translating in any of the three spatial dimensions without actually using fixatives to keep flexor 16 in place.

[0025] Mounting unit recess 26 is a hole formed in the generally flat base plate 20. It is sized to accommodate snap-in flap 5 formed on the surface of ski binding 2 (see Figure 3). Snap-in flap 5 is formed within ski binding 2 on its housing, the flap being connected to the binding along only one of its four sides. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting side is nearest the front F of' ski binding 2. The connecting side of snap-in flap 5 forms an axis about which snap-in flap 5 is able to move. Upon progressing from the connected side of' snap-in flap 5, connected at the front side F of' binding 2, towards the back of the binding, the flap steadily increases in gradient. The end of the flap has a shear face acting in a direction perpendicular to the plane of ski binding 2 on its bottom wall, respectively. Upon slidably inserting locking unit 10 into binding housing 4 from the front side F of binding 2, edge web protrusion 28 slides across the top surface of snap-in flap 5. The naturally increasing gradient of snap-in flap 5 forces base plate 20 to leave the surface of binding 2 and rest solely on the surface of snap-in flap 5. However, as locking unit 10 is continually slid into binding housing 4, first and second base plate protrusions 32 and 34 engage second and third binding housing recesses 36 and 38. As protrusions 32 and 34 are slid into their respective binding houses recesses 36 and 38, base plate 20 is pulled flush against the surface of ski binding 2, rotating about the fulcrum formed by the contacting side of snap-in flap 5. As a result, snap-in flap 5 is displaced into the plane of the ski binding. Once edge web protrusion 28 along with first and second base plate protrusions 32 and 34 are fully engaged in their respective recesses 30, 36 and 38, snap-in flap 5 returns to its original non-displaced position, as snap-in flap 5 is accommodated by mounting unit recess 26.

[0026] The shear perpendicular face of the end of snap-in flap 5 abuts against the inside surface of mounting unit recess 26 to prevent locking unit 10 from sliding out of binding housing 4. Snap-in flap 5 is prohibited from unintentionally disengaging recess 26 when locking unit 10 is mounted on ski 1. Of course, snap-in flap 5 can disengage mounting unit recess 26 as and when required by the user, manufacturer or retailer. Snap-in flap 5 acts to secure locking unit 10 within binding housing 4 and prevents any movement of the locking unit in the direction of the length of' ski 1. This, coupled with the three binding housing recesses 30, 36 and 38, along with the binding housing itself, prevents locking unit 10 from undergoing any undesired translational movement in any of' the three spatial dimensions. Figure 4 shows locking unit 10 securely fitted to ski binding 2.

[0027] In order to remove locking unit 10 from its secure location in binding housing 4, snap-in flap 5 must be displaced. By using a screwdriver or other such tool, the user is able to displace snap-in flap 5 into the plane of ski binding 2, thus disengaging snap-in flap 5 and mounting unit recess 26. With snap-in flap 5 displaced, the inside surface of mounting unit recess 26 is no longer contacted by any part of ski binding 2. Resultantly, locking unit 10 is free to slide towards the front F of ski binding 2, out of binding housing 4. Locking member 14 is single-piece, formed metal member, although other possibilities are anticipated, such as using plastics or other materials consisting of one or more parts. In the preferred embodiment, locking member 14 has a generally "U"-shaped structure. The free ends of locking member 14 are bent outwards, pointing away from each other These free ends engage in the second set of holes found in locking lever 12 (see earlier in the description). By default, when locking member 14 is not a constituent component of locking unit 10, the sides of the generally "U"-shaped member are pre-tensioned such that the free ends are a nominal distance apart. Upon inserting the free ends of locking member 14 into the appropriate holes in locking lever 12, the free ends of the locking member are forced towards one another. As described earlier, the pre-tensioning of locking member 14 affords extra security to the user of ski binding 2 when locking unit 10 is in its closed or locked position.

[0028] As locking lever 12 is moved from its open or unlocked position to its closed or locked position, the bottom portion of the "U"-shaped locking member 14 is displaced through the hole in the vertical face of flexor 16 and through the hole in edge web 24. When a ski boot or shoe 3 is in place on ski binding 2, locking member 14 traps and secures ski boot axle 44, holding it fast against ski binding 2. Because, on the majority of telemark and cross-country ski boots 3, ski boot axle 44 is cylindrical in shape, a small groove is cut into locking member 14 to allow ski boot axle 44 to rotate in the binding as smoothly as possible.

[0029] As locking lever 12 is moved from its locked or closed position to its closed or locked position, the bottom portion of the "U"-shaped locking member 14 is retracted through the hole in the vertical face of flexor 16 and through the hole in edge web 24. When a ski boot or shoe 3 is in place on ski binding 2, locking member 14 releases ski boot axle 44, allowing easy removal of ski boot 3 from ski binding 2.

[0030] The preferred embodiment of a ski binding 2 with a removal locking unit 10, insertable from the front side F of ski binding 2, provides the user with many benefits. Firstly, should any component of locking unit 10 become damaged or broken, locking unit 10 can be removed and mended or replaced without necessitating the user to purchase an entire new binding. Secondly, should ski binding 2 itself become damaged or broken, locking unit 10 can be removed and inserted to a new or repaired ski binding without the user having to purchase a new locking unit. Thirdly, should the type of ski boot axle 44 become popularised in a different shape or form, only the necessity would arise to change locking unit 10 and not the entire ski binding 2.

[0031] To increase the aesthetic appeal of ski binding 2 and coupled with locking unit 10 as a whole and, to offer protection to the components of locking unit 10, housing guard 46 can be inserted to binding housing 4 (see Figures 5 to 7). Housing guard 46 fits snugly around locking unit 10, protecting its components. Housing guard 46 comprises two extending arms which are accommodated within binding housing 4, whilst a second snap-in flap formed at the front side F of' ski binding 2 secures the guard in place. Housing guard 46 is, in the preferred embodiment, made of plastic, although other materials could be used, such as metals or carbon fibre. Figure 7 shows the assembled ski binding, complete with housing guard 46 in place.

[0032] The insertion and removal of locking unit 10 from the front side F of ski binding 2 allows the user to maintain or upgrade their equipment without difficulty and without incurring additional costs.

List of Components and Reference Numerals

Reference numeral	Component	Reference numeral	Component
1	Ski	26	Mounting unit recess
2	Ski binding	28	Edge web protrusion
3	Ski boot or shoe	30	First binding housing recess
4	Binding housing	32	First base plate protrusion
5	Snap-in flap	34	Second base plate protrusion
10	Locking unit	36	Second binding housing recess
12	Locking lever	38	Third binding housing recess
14	Locking member	40	First locking lever axle
16	Flexor	42	Second locking lever axle
18	Mounting unit	44	Ski boot axle
20	Base plate	46	Housing guard
22	Jaws	F	Front side of binding housing
24	Edge web

Claims

1. A ski binding (2) for a cross-country, telemark, touring or roller ski, for interacting with the ski boot or shoe (3) of the user of the ski, the said ski binding (2) comprising a housing (4) for the accommodation of a locking unit (10) comprising:

a locking lever (12);

a locking member (14); and

a flexor (16);

the locking lever (12), locking member (14) and flexor (16) being mounted on a mounting unit (18), comprising a base plate (20), jaws (22) and an edge web (24), respectively at the front side and at the rear side of the said base plate;

the mounting unit (18) including all of its components (20, 22, 24) is insertable into the housing (4) of the binding (2) through an opening at the front side (F) of the housing (4); and

the locking lever (12) is rotatably coupled to the jaws (22) of the mounting unit (18) by two locking lever axles (40, 42),

characterized in that

the flexor (16) is secured within the mounting unit (18) by the two locking lever axles (40, 42) and the locking member (14).

2. The binding (2) of claim 1, wherein the locking unit (10) is slidably mountable within the binding housing (4).

3. The binding (2), in particular of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base plate (20) of the mounting unit (18) comprises a recess (26), adapted to releasably engage a snap-in flap (5) formed on the binding housing (4), in particular on the bottom side of the said housing (4).

4. The binding (2) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the rear side edge web (24) comprises a protrusion (28) extending generally parallel to the length of the ski (1), the protrusion (28) being adapted to extend through a corresponding recess (30) of the housing (4) of the ski binding (2)

5. The binding (2) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the base plate (20) comprises two protrusions (32, 34) extending generally transverse to the length of the ski (1), with one protrusion (32) extending in the opposite direction to the other protrusion (34), each protrusion (32, 34) being adapted to slidably engage one of two recesses (36, 38) formed within the binding housing (4).

6. The binding (2) of claim 1, wherein the locking member (14) is coupled to the locking lever (12), the locking lever (12) being operable to move the locking member (14) between first, releasing position and second, locking positions.

7. The binding (2) of claim 6, wherein the locking member (14) is adapted to engage an axle (44) of the ski boot or shoe (3), when the locking member is in the second, locking position.

8. The binding (2) of claim 6, wherein the locking member (14) is adapted to disengage from an axle (44) of the ski boot or shoe (3), when the locking member is in the first, releasing position.

9. The binding (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking unit (10) is protected by a housing guard (46), the housing guard (46) being adapted to releasably engage a snap-in flap (6) at the front side (F) of the binding housing (4).

Ansprüche

1. Skibindung (2) für einen Touren-, Telemark-, Langlauf- oder Rollski zum Zusammenwirken mit dem Skistiefel oder Skischuh (3) des Benutzers des Skis, wobei die Skibindung (2) ein Gehäuse (4) zum Aufnehmen einer Verriegelungseinheit (10) umfasst, umfassend:

einen Verriegelungshebel (12);

ein Verriegelungselement (14); und

einen Beuger (16);

wobei der Verriegelungshebel (12), das Verriegelungselement (14) und der Beuger (16) auf einer Montierungseinheit (18) montiert sind, umfassend eine Basisplatte (20), Kiefer (22) und eine Kantrippe (24), jeweils auf der Vorderseite und der Rückseite der Basisplatte;

wobei die Montierungseinheit (18) einschließlich sämtliche Komponenten (20, 22, 24) in das Gehäuse (4) der Bindung (2) durch eine Öffnung auf der Vorderseite (F) des Gehäuses (4) einführbar ist; und

wobei der Verriegelungshebel (12) mit den Kiefern (22) der Montierungseinheit (18) durch zwei Verriegelungshebelwellen (40, 42) drehbar verbunden ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

der Beuger (16) innerhalb der Montierungseinheit (18) durch die beiden Verriegelungswellen (40, 42) und das Verriegelungselement (14) befestigt ist.

2. Bindung (2) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Verriegelungseinheit (10) innerhalb des Bindungsgehäuses (4) gleitbar montierbar ist.

3. Bindung (2), insbesondere nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Basisplatte (20) der Montierungseinheit (18) eine Aussparung (26) umfasst, die dafür eingerichtet ist, mit einer auf dem Bindungsgehäuse (4), insbesondere auf der Unterseite des Gehäuses (4) gebildeten Schnapplasche (5) lösbar in Eingriff zu gehen.

4.  Bindung (2) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei die Rückseite der Kantrippe (24) einen sich generell parallel zur Länge des Skis (1) erstreckenden Vorsprung (28) umfasst, wobei der Vorsprung (28) dafür eingerichtet ist, sich durch eine entsprechende Aussparung (30) des Gehäuses (4) der Skibindung (2) zu erstrecken.

5. Bindung (2) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei die Basisplatte (20) zwei sich generell quer zur Länge des Skis (1) erstreckende Vorsprünge (32, 34) umfasst, wobei sich der eine Vorsprung (32) in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zum anderen Vorsprung (34) erstreckt, wobei jeder Vorsprung (32, 34) dafür eingerichtet ist, mit einem von zwei innerhalb des Bindungsgehäuses (4) gebildeten Aussparungen (36, 38) gleitbar in Eingriff zu gehen.

6. Bindung (2) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verriegelungselement (14) mit dem Verriegelungshebel (12) verbunden ist, wobei der Verriegelungshebel (12) funktionsfähig ist, um das Verriegelungselement (14) zwischen einer ersten Freigabeposition und einer zweiten Verriegelungsposition zu bewegen.

7. Bindung (2) nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Verriegelungselement (14) dafür eingerichtet ist, mit einer Welle (44) des Skistiefels oder Skischuhs (3) in Eingriff zu gehen, wenn das Verriegelungselement in der zweiten Verriegelungsposition ist.

8. Bindung (2) nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Verriegelungselement (14) dafür eingerichtet ist, von einer Welle (44) des Skistiefels oder Skischuhs (3) außer Eingriff zu gehen, wenn das Verriegelungselement in der ersten Freigabeposition ist.

9. Bindung (2) nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Verriegelungseinheit (10) durch einen Gehäuseschutz (46) beschützt ist, wobei der Gehäuseschutz (46) dafür eingerichtet ist, mit einer Schnapplasche (6) auf der Vorderseite (F) des Bindungsgehäuses (4) lösbar in Eingriff zu gehen.

Revendications

1. Fixation de ski (2) pour un ski de fond, de télémark, de randonnée ou à roulettes, pour interagir avec la chaussure ou botte de ski (3) de l'utilisateur du ski, ladite fixation de ski (2) comprenant un boîtier (4) pour le logement d'une unité de verrouillage (10), comprenant:

un levier de verrouillage (12);

un élément de verrouillage (14); et

un fléchisseur (16);

le levier de verrouillage (12), l'élément de verrouillage (14) et le fléchisseur (16) étant montés sur une unité de montage (18), comprenant une plaque de base (20), des mâchoires (22) et une bande de bord (24), respectivement au côté avant et au côté arrière de la plaque de base;

l'unité de montage (18) comprenant l'ensemble de ses composants (20, 22, 24) pouvant être insérée dans le boîtier (4) de la fixation (2) à travers une ouverture sur le côté avant (F) du boîtier (4); et

le levier de verrouillage (12) étant couplé de façon rotative aux mâchoires (22) de l'unité de montage (18) par deux arbres de levier de verrouillage (40, 42),
caractérisée en ce que

le fléchisseur (16) est fixé à l'intérieur de l'unité de montage (18) par les deux arbres de levier de verrouillage (40, 42) et l'élément de verrouillage (14).

2. Fixation (2) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'unité de verrouillage (10) est montée de manière coulissante dans le boîtier de fixation (4).

3. Fixation (2), en particulier selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle la plaque de base (20) de l'unité de montage (18) comprend un évidement (26), adapté pour engager de façon libérable un volet d'encliquetage (5) formé sur le boîtier de fixation (4), en particulier sur le côté inférieur dudit boîtier (4).

4. Fixation (2) selon les revendications 2 ou 3, dans laquelle la bande de bord latérale arrière (24) comprend une saillie (28) s'étendant généralement parallèlement à la longueur du ski (1), la saillie (28) étant adaptée pour s'étendre à travers un évidement correspondant (30) du boîtier (4) de la fixation de ski (2)

5. Fixation (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans laquelle la plaque de base (20) comprend deux saillies (32, 34) s'étendant généralement transversalement à la longueur du ski (1), avec une saillie (32) s'étendant dans la direction opposée à l'autre saillie (34), chaque saillie (32, 34) étant adaptée pour engager de manière coulissante dans l'un des deux évidements (36, 38) formés dans le boîtier de fixation (4).

6. Fixation (2) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'élément de verrouillage (14) est couplé au levier de verrouillage (12), le levier de verrouillage (12) pouvant être actionné pour déplacer l'élément de verrouillage (14) entre la première position de libération et la deuxième position de verrouillage.

7. Fixation (2) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle l'élément de verrouillage (14) est adapté pour engager un arbre (44) de la chaussure ou botte de ski (3), lorsque l'élément de verrouillage est dans la deuxième position de verrouillage.

8. Fixation (2) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle l'élément de verrouillage (14) est adapté pour se désengager de l'arbre (44) de la chaussure ou botte de ski (3), lorsque l'élément de verrouillage est dans la première position de libération.

9. Fixation (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'unité de verrouillage (10) est protégée par une protection de boitier (46), la protection de boitier (46) étant adaptée pour engager de façon libérable un volet d'encliquetage (6) au côté avant (F) du boîtier de fixation (4).

Drawing