[0001] The present invention relates to an improved device for displaying the position of
a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly the toe unit or the heel
unit of a ski binding.
[0002] It is known that a ski binding generally comprises a toe unit and a heel unit, which
are aimed at clamping a ski boot during ski practice. Known toe and heel units generally
comprise a resilient element, which is designed to determine the clamping force applied
by such toe/heel units to the ski boot.
[0003] An indication of the value of such clamping force is often conveniently displayed
in order to permit to select a certain desired value in a quick and precise manner.
Conventional types of toe/heel units are known, which are fitted with display devices
consisting of a window or aperture, provided on top of the main body of the toe/hell
units, presenting at the edge a graduated scale for reading the position of a lower
display device. This display device can be directly associated with the resilient
element. Alternatively, the display device can be associated to a force-adjusting
component, which is generally aimed at adjusting the load of the resilient element.
Such force-adjusting component generally comprises a shank that can be activated by
the user by hand or by means of a tool such as a screwdriver.
[0004] The main drawback of such known display devices consists in that a minimum variation
in the compression of the resilient element leads to an equally reduced shift of the
display element in relation to the graduated scale, but, at the same time, to a substantial
variation in the clamping force exerted by the heel unit (or the toe unit). For this
reason the user has often considerable problems in reading the graduated scale and
the correct adjustment of the clamping force might be difficult. This fact might lead
to possible danger for the skier's safety in the event of an excessively reduced or
high clamping force. It is well known that an insufficient clamping force can cause
a sudden and unwanted opening of the ski binding, for example if there is much stress
on the ski or on the boot when turning at high speed. On the contrary an excessive
and undesired clamping force may lead to a failed opening of the ski binding during
a fall, with consequent possible injury, in particular to the skier's knee ligaments.
[0005] US patent No. 3,915,467 discloses a heel unit of a ski binding, which comprises a
pivoting pincer fitted with means for the display of the opening force of the ski
binding proper, such as a window at the top of said heel unit, which is graduated
at the edge and designed to display a lower indication plate. This plate, provided
with a trapezoidal shape, has a groove at the bottom, in the shape of the arc of a
circle with its centre on the point of rotation of the pincer. Such a groove is designed
for the sliding of a first pin protruding from the top of a slider. Such slider slides
axially in contrast to a spring along a track provided on the pincer in a direction
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the same. The slider has also a second lower
pin designed to interact with a screw for adjusting an elastically compressible element,
designed to determine the opening force of the pincer.
[0006] In one of the described embodiments, such screw is provided with a free end, which
interacts with the elastically compressible element having a surface suitably inclined
along a transverse plane. In this way, a rotation of the screw results in a proportional
and upper axial shift of the cursor, thereby causing a corresponding shift also of
the indication plate.
[0007] Although not fully solving the aforementioned drawbacks, this solution leads to a
partial amplification of the axial shift of the screw. Unfortunately, there still
is the shortcoming that this amplification is not linear but basically depends on
the conformation of the free end of the screw. Therefore, the regulation by the user
is still difficult. Further, this partial amplification is additionally limited by
a rotation of no more than 180° of the screw, since there could even be a receding
of the position of the cursor with a further rotation.
[0008] Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide a display device for the
display of the position of a force-adjusting component of a ski binding, particularly
a force-adjusting component of a toe unit or heel unit of a ski binding, which permits
a clear display of the adjustment of the clamping force exerted on a ski boot by the
heel unit or the toe unit.
[0009] Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to provide a display
device that allows the user to make a precise and at the same time immediate adjustment
of the clamping force.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that is sturdy
and compact, not subjected to wear and not requiring particular maintenance.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device that is structurally
simple and has low manufacturing costs.
[0012] Thus, the present invention provides a display device for displaying the position
of a force-adjusting component for a ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a
heel unit of a ski binding, which is characterised in that it comprises display means
that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting component by way of an interconnection
element, such interconnection element being activated by an axial shift of the force-adjusting
component along the main body of the toe unit or heel unit.
[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the display device, according to the present
invention, will become better apparent from the following detailed description of
a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the
acccompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a heel unit of a ski binding fitted with
the display device, according to the present invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the operation of the display device,
according to the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a partially sectional side view of a rear portion of a heel unit of a
ski binding, incorporating the display device, according to the present invention.
[0014] The display device, according to the present invention, will be described with particular
reference to a force-adjusting component of the heel unit of a ski binding. This is
in no way intended to limit the field of application of the display device, which
can indeed be advantageously applied, with simple adaptations, also to a toe unit
for a ski binding. Such adaptations are fully within the capability of those skilled
in the art and do not modify the inventive concept of the present invention.
[0015] With reference to the above figures, reference number 1 designates a preferred embodiment
of the display device, according to the present invention. The display device 1 is
aimed at providing the user with information related to the value of the clamping
force exerted by the heel unit 2 (or the toe unit, not shown) of the ski binding.
For this aim, the display device 1 provide indications related to the position of
a force-adjusting component designated by reference numerals 3 and 7 of a heel unit
2.
[0016] In this embodiment, the force-adjusting component comprises a shank 3, which is aimed
at adjusting the clamping force of the heel unit 2 to the ski boot (not shown).
[0017] In particular, the shank 3 is advantageously provided with a cylindrical shape and
is at least partially threaded along the external lateral surface 4. In this manner,
the shank 3 can be screwed into a counter-threaded seat provided to the rear of the
main body 5 of the heel unit 2. The shank 3 may advantageously comprise a hollow 6,
which is designed to partially hold a resilient element 7. The resilient element 7
determines, according to its compression, a certain clamping force to be applied to
the ski boot associated to the actual heel unit 2.
[0018] The display device 1 comprises display means 8, which preferably include a slider
9 that slides axially along a guide provided at the bottom and/or the side in the
main body 5. The display means 8 are operatively connected to the force-adjusting
component 3,7. Thus, the slider 9, which, in this case, by way of example, has an
advantageously flat shape, is preferably fitted, near its first front edge 10a, with
a first pin 11 that protrudes from the bottom of the slider 9, approximately at a
side portion of the front edge 10a. The first pin 11 allows a pivoting interconnection
between the slider 9 and an interconnection element associated to the main body 5
of the heel unit 2, such as, for example, an underlying connecting arm 12, which is
pivotally mounted to the main body 5. In particular, the pin 11 is housed in a first
slot 13, provided at one first end 14a of the arm 12, which is arranged approximately
transversely to the main body 5. At the second end 14b, the arm 12 is pivotally mounted
to the main body 5, preferably by way of the interconnection between a second pin
15, protruding from the bottom of the second end 14b, and a second hole 16 provided
vertically in the main body 5.
[0019] In the display device 1, the interconnection element 12 is activated by an axial
shift of the force-adjusting component 3 along the main body 5 of the heel unit 2.
[0020] For this aim, between the first and second end 14a and 14b of the arm 12, and in
particular between the slot 13 and the second pin 15, activation means are provided,
which are arranged so as to interact with the shank 3. These activation means advantageously
comprise a third pin 17 protruding from the bottom of a central portion of the arm
12 to interact with the free end 18 of the shank 3.
[0021] In this way, upon screwing of the shank 3 into its seat, there is a compression of
the resilient element 7, until it achieves a predefined support (not shown), and therefore
a thrust of the third pin 17, thereby causing a rotation of the arm 12 around the
second pin 15 and, consequently, a translation of the slider 9. The distance between
the main axis of the second pin 15 and the main axis of the first pin 11 of the slider
9 is advantageously greater than the distance between the main axis of the second
pin 15 and the main axis of the third pin 17. In this manner, the translation exerted
on the slider 9 by a rotation of the arm 12 is greater than the axial shift of the
shank 3.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment the third pin 17 is approximately equidistant between
the first and the second pin 11 and 15. Thus, the translation of the slider 9 is approximately
double compared to the shift of the shank 3. Of course, the distance between the pins
might be different from that illustrated, thereby resulting in an even greater amplification
of the shift of the shank 3. It should be noticed that, in any case, the amplification
of the shift is approximately linear, with great advantage for the user during the
adjustment of the clamping force exerted by the heel unit 2.
[0023] The position of the slider 9 may be read by the user through an index mark 19 provided
along the same slider 9. This index mark is advantageously positioned close to a graduated
scale 20 integral with the main body 5 of the heel unit 2. This graduated scale 20
may advantageously be provided on at least one of the longitudinal edges of a rectangular
opening 21 made in a plate 22 arranged above the slider 9. The rectangular plate 22
is suitably located in a seat 23 that may be inspected by lifting a cover 24 transversely
and pivotally mounted on the main body 5. To permit the return of the slider 9 in
a retracted position, following the loosening of the shank 3, a separate resilient
means of return such as a cylindrical spring 25 is provided. This return spring 25,
preloaded during screwing of the shank, is arranged between one tongue 26, protruding
from the main body 5, and the second rear edge 10b of the slider 9.
[0024] Operation is therefore as follows: with reference to figures 2 and 3, the screwing
down of the threaded shank 3 causes a counter-clockwise rotation of the arm 12 and
a simultaneous amplified translation of the slider 9. At the same time, the spring
25 is compressed due to the forward movement of the slider. Figure 3 shows that the
line 19 is advanced by a much greater length than the shift exerted on the shank 3,
which is proportional to the increase exerted on the clamping force. When the user
requires a decrease of this force, he will loosen the shank 3 so that the spring 25,
upon extending, causes a proportional retraction of the slider 9, keeping the third
pin 17 in contact with the free end 18 of the shank.
[0025] The advantage of having an unfixed interconnection between the third pin and the
shank enables, for example, shank 3 to be easily removed or to be loosened for a greater
travel than that possible by the arm 12.
[0026] It has thus been shown that the present invention has fully achieved the aim and
objects, since the display device allows a clear, sure reading of the adjustment of
the clamping force exerted by a heel unit (or a toe unit) on a ski boot. The display
device, according to the present invention, allows also performing an immediate, precise
adjustment to be made of the clamping force. Further, the display device 1 has proven
to be sturdy and at the same time compact and structurally somewhat simple, with consequent
low manufacturing costs.
[0027] The invention is obviously susceptible to many changes and variations, all falling
within the scope of the appended claims. It is possible to achieve a different interconnection
between the slider 9, the arm 12 and the shank 3, for example by overturning the position
between one of the mentioned pins 11, 15 e 17 and the respective slots, or by forming
an interconnection between the third pin 17 and the shank 3, for example making on
the latter a seat or a hole for the same third pin 17. In this last case, there is
the further advantage of not necessarily having to provide the display device 1 with
the return spring 25.
[0028] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2001A000150 from which this application
claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0029] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A display device for displaying the position of a force-adjusting component for a
ski binding, particularly for a toe unit or a heel unit of a ski binding, characterised in that it comprises display means that are operatively associated to said force-adjusting
component by way of an interconnection element, which is associated to a main body
of said toe unit or said heel unit, said interconnection element being activated by
an axial shift of said force-adjusting component along the main body of said toe unit
or a heel unit.
2. The display device according to claim 1, characterised in that said interconnection element is transversely and pivotally mounted on the main body
of said heel unit or toe unit, said interconnection element performing a rotation
upon the activation by an axial shift of said force-adjusting component.
3. The display device according to claim 2, characterised in that said interconnection element comprises an arm provided with a first end and a second
end, said display means being pivotally mounted on said first end, said second end
being pivotally connected transversely to the main body of said heel unit or said
toe unit.
4. The display device according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises activation means, which interact with said force-adjusting component
and which are associated to said arm.
5. The display device according to claim 4, characterised in that said force-adjusting component comprises a shank for adjusting the load of a resilient
element, which is aimed at determining the clamping force of said toe or heel unit
on a ski boot, said shank being pivotally connectable to the main body of said heel
unit or said toe unit along a longitudinal axis, said activation means being located
at a central portion of said arm between the first end and the second end of said
arm for interacting with said shank.
6. The display device according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said display means comprises a slider, which slides axially along a guide provided
at the bottom and/or at the side of the main body of said heel unit or toe unit.
7. The display device according to claim 6, characterised in that said slider is provided, approximately at a first front edge, with a first pin for
interconnection to the first end of said arm, said first pin protruding from the bottom
of said slider approximately near a lateral edge of said slider, said first pin being
housed in a first slot provided at the first end of said arm.
8. The display device according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said arm is provided, at said second end, with a second pin for interconnection to
the main body of said heel unit or said toe unit, said second pin protruding from
the bottom of the second end of said arm, said second pin being housed in a second
slot provided vertically in the main body of said heel or toe unit.
9. The display device according to the preceding claims, characterised in that said activation means comprise a third pin protruding from the bottom of the central
portion of said arm, said third pin interacting with a free end of said shank.
10. The display device according to claims 7-9, characterised in that a distance between the main axis of said first pin and the main axis of said second
pin exceeds a distance between a main axis of said second pin and a main axis of said
third pin.
11. The display device according to the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises resilient means associated to said slider, said resilient means being
arranged between a tongue protruding from the main body of said heel unit or said
toe unit and a second rear edge of said slider.
12. A heel unit of a ski binding characterised in that it comprises a display device, according to one or more of the preceding claims.
13. A toe unit of a ski binding characterised in that it comprises a display device, according to one or more of claims 1-11.