SKI-BINDING ATTACHMENT AND METHOD OF CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING A SKI-BOOT WITH/FROM SAID ATTACHMENT

Abstract

 The invention discloses a ski-binding attachment (1) comprising a ferrule (2) configured to interact with the toe (10a) of a ski-boot (10) and comprising first locking means (20) configured to lock at command the toe (10a) within said ferrule (2), and comprising at least a first ferromagnetic movable arm (200) defining at least a first position, in which said first locking means (20) lock said toe (10a), and a second position in which said first locking means (20) unlock said toe (10a), and a first electromagnet (201) configured to move at command said first arm (200), so as to achieve either said first position or said second position according to its own polarity, and a control unit (4) operatively connected to said first electromagnet (201) and configured to commute the polarity of the first electromagnet (201), so as to move the first arm (200) either to lock or to unlock the toe (10a), wherein the first arm (200) interferes with the toe (10a), contacting and locking it, or is integrally connected with an element interfering with the toe (10a) so as to achieve either the locking or the unlocking configuration of the attachment.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a ski-binding attachment and a method of connecting or disconnecting a ski-boot with/from said attachment, of the kind recited in the preamble of the main claim.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechatronic ski-binding attachment, that may be almost partially remote controlled, and a related method of connecting or disconnecting the ski-boot, almost partially electronically controlled. A ski-binding attachment of this kind is disclosed in the publication US - B - 11040267.

[0003] As it is known, ski-attachments are typical fixtures of the Alpine ski. The attachments generally include two parts, corresponding to a pointed portion, known as ferrule, and a heel-piece, respectively. These parts are configured to hook a ski-boot. Although these parts are differently structured, both include pressure springs constrained e.g. through screws to a plate or directly to the ski. The springs may be so adjusted as to change at will the stability and stiffness of the attachment.

[0004] As it is known, springs are being regulated on the basis of a scale called DIN. The correct DIN laying therefore is based on the user's biometrics data, such as weight, height, size of the ski-boots, the skiing style, age or else. Wrong laying may cause problems, since the ski may come off due to a sharp move, or instead the ski may not come off due to a fall and cause greater injuries.

[0005] Therefore, the major drawback of the known attachments is due to the fact that they do not warrant a sufficient safety during ski use, and therefore do not minimize the probability of an accident of the user, for instance due to a fall.

[0006] In such a situation the technical problem of the present invention is to develop a ski-binding attachment and a method of connecting or disconnecting a ski-boot with/from said attachment, capable of removing substantially at least part of the abovementioned drawbacks.

[0007] Within the frame of said technical problem, it is an important object of the invention to develop a ski-binding attachment, and a related method of connecting or disconnecting a ski-boot with/from said attachment, capable of substantially reducing or totally removing the probability of an accident of the user.

[0008] Another important object of the invention is to develop a ski-attachment, and a related method of connecting or disconnecting a ski-boot with/from said attachment, which is extremely stable, but at the same time reactive in spite of a reduced structural complexity, so as to make the attachment very economic and competitive on the market.

[0009] The technical problem and the specified objects are attained by a ski-binding attachment and the related method of connecting or disconnecting a ski-boot with/from said attachment as recited in the annexed claim 1. Preferred technical solutions are pointed out in the dependent claims.

[0010] The characteristics and advantages of the invention are hereinafter illustrated by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a ski-binding attachment according to the invention, installed on a ski, by which a ski-boot is attached to the ski; and

Figure 2 shows the detail of the ferrule of a ski-binding attachment, wherein the arm is in the second position and keeps the first locking means in the unlocking configuration.

[0011] In the present documents, the measurements, the values, the forms and the geometrical references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar terms like "almost" or "substantially" are to be intended as unless errors of measurement or inaccuracies due to errors of production and/or manufacture, and above all unless a slight difference from the value, the measurement, the shape or geometrical reference associated. For example, these terms, when associated with a value, preferably mean a difference not higher than 10% of said value.

[0012] Moreover, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "higher", "lower". "main", "secondary", do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relation or related position, but may be simply used to distinguish more clearly different components.

[0013] Unless where specified otherwise, as it results from the following discussions, it is to be considered that terms such as "treatment", "informatics", "determination", "calculation" or the like, refer to the action and/or process of a computer or similar deice of electronic calculation handling and/or transforming data represented as physical quantities inside information systems, registers or other devices for storing, transmitting or showing information.

[0014] The measurements and data given in the present text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

[0015] With reference now to the figures of the drawings, the ski-binding attachment according to the invention is globally indicated with reference number 1.

[0016] The attachment 1 may be positioned on a ski. Of course, the ski may be of any type, that is fitted for any skiing discipline, such as downhill, cross-country, telemark or any other kind.

[0017] The attachment 1 is generally configured to constrain a ski-boot 10. The ski-boot 10 may be any boot fitted for skiing activity. Of course, also the ski-boot 10 may be different according to the relevant skiing discipline. In any case, the ski-boot 10 has a toe 10a and a heel 10b. The toe 10a is the front end of the ski-boot 10, namely the portion near the user's toes. The heel 10b is the back portion of the ski-boot 10, opposite to the toe 10a and adjacent to the user's foot heel.

[0018] The attachment 1 may be configured to allow the constraint of toe 10a and heel 10b. Otherwise, the attachment 1 may be configured to allow the constraint only of toe 10a.

[0019] Indeed, the attachment 1 comprises at least a ferrule 2. The ferrule 2 is configured to interact with the toe 10a of the ski-boot 10. More particularly, the ferrule 2 comprises first locking means 20. These first locking means 20 are configured to lock under proper control the toe 10a in the ferrule 2. In this connection, for example, the first locking means 20 may comprise one or more obstruction elements configured to lock the motion of the toe 10a related to the attachment 1.

[0020] The first locking means 20 may be configured to fully lock the toe 10a, namely for any translation and rotation direction. Otherwise the first locking means 20 may be configured to lock the mutual motion between ferrule 2 and toe 10a for the translation for any direction, but leaving free the rotation around an axis perpendicular to the general axis of the ski on which the attachment 1 is mounted when used, and laying on the ski extension plane. A configuration of this kind might be useful for instance for telemark.

[0021] In any case, the first locking means 20 advantageously comprise al least a first arm 200. This first arm 200 substantially is a movable element in respect of the attachment 1, suitable to cause the configuration of locking or unlocking the first locking means 20.

[0022] Indeed, the first arm 200 may just interfere with the toe 10a and lock it by contact, or the first arm 200 may be operatively connected with an element interfering with the toe 10a, so that it moves also the interfering element to make the locking or unlocking configurations, as shown for example in figure 2.

[0023] In any case, the first arm 200 defines at least a first position, in which the first locking means 20 lock the toe 10a, directly through the first arm 200, or indirectly through an interfering element moved by the first arm 200, as well as a second position in which the first locking means 20 unlock the toe 10a.

[0024] Moreover, the first arm 200 is preferably ferromagnetic. The term "ferromagnetic" means that the first arm 200 is capable to react to a magnetic field when the latter hits the first arm 200.

[0025] Indeed, the first locking means 20 include also a first electromagnet 201. The first electromagnet 201 is an electrotechnical element, for instance comprising a core of ferromagnetic material, on which a solenoid is wound, namely a coil with many turns of electrical wire. The first electromagnet 201 is generally configured to generate a magnetic field from an electric current.

[0026] The first electromagnet 201 is substantially configured to move under control the first arm 200. More particularly, the first electromagnet 201 is configured to define or fix either the first position or the second position in respect to its polarity. Substantially, the first electromagnet 201 may take either a positive or a negative polarity and may generate an attraction or repulsion force on the first arm 200.

[0027] Advantageously, the attachment 1 comprises also a control unit 4. The control unit 4 is substantially configured to control the operation at least of the ferrule 2.

[0028] In detail, the control unit 4 is operatively connected to the first electromagnet 201. Moreover, the control unit 4 is advantageously configured to commute or change the polarity of the first electromagnet 201 so as to move the first arm 200 in order to lock or unlock the toe 10a.

[0029] In greater detail, the control unit 4 may be programmed to carry out other functions. For instance, the ferrule 2 may include first acquisition means 21.

[0030] The first acquisition means 21, if any, are preferably configured to sense at least a resistant force exerted by the first locking means 20 on the locked toe. Obviously, the resistant force is the reactive force made by the first locking means 20 holding the ski-boot 10, more particularly the toe 10a constrained to the attachment 1, for instance when the attachment 1 is being used on the ski in turn worn by the user.

[0031] The first acquisition means 21 may comprise a force transducer or preferably a pressure sensor. Therefore, the control unit 4 may be configured so as to polarize the first electromagnet 201 attaining the second position of the first arm 200 at any time the resistant force exceeds a first given limit force. Therefore, the first given limit force is preferably preset in the control unit 4.

[0032] The attachment 1 may also comprise a heel-piece 3. When present, the heel-piece 3 may be similar to ferrule 2 or comprise different mechanisms. The heel-piece 3 is generally configured to interact with the heel 10b of the ski-boot 10.

[0033] More particularly, the heel-piece 3 comprises second locking means 30. The second locking means are configured to lock on command the heel 10b within the heel-piece 3. To this purpose, for example the second locking means 30 may comprise one or more obstructions means configured to lock the movement of the heel 10b relative to attachment 1.

[0034] The second locking means 30 may be configured to lock the heel 10b completely, namely both in translation and rotation in any direction. In turn, the second locking means 30 may be configured to lock the mutual translation between the heel-piece 3 and the heel 20b, along a vertical direction at right angles with the main development axis of the ski provided with the attachment 1, when this is being used, letting free the translation along the direction along the main development axis of the ski, which is at right angles with the vertical direction.

[0035] In any case, advantageously, the second locking means 30 comprise at lest a second arm 300. The second braccio 300 is substantially a mobile element in respect of the attachment 1, capable of causing the lock or unlock configuration of the second locking means 30.

[0036] Indeed, the second arm 300 may just interfere with the heel 10b, going to contact for its locking, as shown in figure 1. Otherwise, the second arm 300 may be integrally connected with an element interferential with the heel 10b, so as to move, when actuated, also the interferential element so as to obtain the locking or unlocking configurations.

[0037] In any case, the second arm 300 defines at least a third position, in which the second locking means 30 lock the heel 10b, directly through the second arm 300 or indirectly through an interfering element moved by the second arm 300, and a fourth position in which the second locking means 30 unlock the heel 10b.

[0038] Moreover, also the second arm 300 is preferably ferromagnetic. With the term "ferromagnetic" one means that the second arm 300 is able to react to a magnetic field, when the latter hits the second arm 300.

[0039] Indeed, the second locking means 30 comprise also a second electromagnet 301. The second electromagnet 301 is an electrotechnical element, for instance comprising a core of ferromagnetic material on which a solenoid is wound, namely a coil of many turns of electrical wire. The second electromagnet 301 is generally configured to generate a magnetic field from an electric current.

[0040] The second electromagnet 301 is substantially configured to move upon command the second arm 300. More particularly, the second electromagnet 301 is configured to determine or define the third position or the fourth position in respect of its own polarity. Basically, also the second electromagnet may take a positive or negative polarity and may generate an attraction or repulsion force on the second arm 300.

[0041] The control unit 4 is substantially configured to control also the operation of the heel piece 3. In detail, the control unit 4 is operatively connected with the second electromagnet 301. Moreover, the control unit 4 is advantageously configured to commute or change the polarity of the second electromagnet 301 in order to move the second arm 300 for locking or unlocking the heel 10b. The commutation of polarity of the first and second electromagnet 201, 301 may take place either in a mutually independent way or in a coordinated, namely simultaneous way. Even in this case the control unit 4 may be programmed to carry out other functions.

[0042] For instance, the heel piece 3 may include second acquisition means 31. The second acquisition means 31, when provided, are preferably configured to detect at least a resisting force exerted by the second locking means 30 on the locked heel 10b. Of course, the resisting force is the reactive force produced by the second locking means 30, in this case exerted by the second arm 300, holding the ski-boot 10 and more particularly the heel 10b constrained to the attachment 1, for instance when the attachment 1 is being used on the skis and the user makes use of them.

[0043] The second acquisition means may comprise a force transducer or preferably a pressure sensor. Thus, the control unit 4 may be configured to polarize the second electromagnet 301, so as to produce the fourth position of the second arm 300, whenever the resisting force exceeds a predetermined second limit force. Therefore, the predetermined second limit force is preferably preset in the control unit 4.

[0044] The control unit 4 may include additional contrivances. For instance, the control unit may comprise interface means 40. When present, the interface means 40 may be accessible by a user. Moreover, the interface means 40 are so configured as to allow the user to modify the first preset limit force and/or the second preset limit force. The first and the second limit force may be varied independently, or they may coincide in one single value to be preset with the same interface means 40.

[0045] In greater detail, the interface means 40 may comprise at least a screen 40a and a push-button panel. The screen 40a may then be configured to make visually accessible to the user the first preset limit force and/or the second preset limit force. The push-button panel may be configured to allow the user to increase or decrease said first preset limit force and/or said second preset limit force. The push-button panel my include buttons that may be pressed by the user. Otherwise, the push-button panel may be integral with the screen 40a, which may be a touch screen.

[0046] Of course, the control unit 4 may comprise connection means, which may be configured to allow the remote connection of the control unit 4 with a mainframe computer. Thus, the interface means 40 may also not be provided, and the control unit 4 might be configured through the remote mainframe. Thus, the remote electronic mainframe might be any electronic device such as PC, smartphone or anything else. The connection means may include devices and protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth^™, IR and the like.

[0047] The control unit 4 may advantageously include also sensor means 41. When present, the sensor means 41 are configured to acquire the user's telemetric data. For instance, the telemetric data may include information concerning path, speed, bend angle, fall, jump length and other data of the user's motion. Therefore, the control unit 4 may be configured to change the polarity of the first electromagnet 201 and/or of the second electromagnet 301 as a function of the telemetric data.

[0048] The control unit 4 might also comprise storage means 42. The storage means 42 may for instance consist of a solid-state memory. The storage means 42 then may be operatively connected to the sensor means 41 and to acquisition means 21, 31 and configured to record the telemetric data and the resisting forces.

[0049] In conclusion, the control unit 4 may obviously include, in addition to a processor, also a power supply 43. The power supply 43 may then be operatively connected to all components of the control unit 4, which is preferably arranged totally or partially in the attachment 1, more particularly in the space defined between ferrule 2 and heel-piece.

[0050] The operation of the attachment 1, previously described in structural terms, is as follows.

[0051] When the resisting force detected by the acquisition means 21, 31 goes beyond some threshold values defined by the preset limit forces, the control unit 4 modifies the polarisation of the electromagnets 201, 301 so as to attain the second and fourth position of arms 200, 300. More particularly, in the examples shown in figures 1-2, the control unit 4 polarizes the arms 200, 300, thus unlocking the ski-boot 10 on its attachment.

[0052] The control unit 4 may also be actuated when the resisting forces do not exceed some threshold values, for instance if some particular biometric data are detected, for instance those associates with situation of danger for the user, such as an excessive difference of height of the user's route, an excessive speed and other exceptional circumstances.

[0053] The invention also relates to a new procedure of locking or unlocking a ski-boot10 with the attachment 1.

[0054] More particularly, the procedure essentially comprises at least a stage of polarisation, wherein the polarity at least of the first electromagnet 201 is commuted, to take the first arm 200 to the first or second position. Of course, during the polarisation stage, also the second electromagnet 301 may be polarised. To take the second arm 300 to the third or fourth position.

[0055] The ski attachment 1, and the related procedure of locking or unlocking a ski-booth with the same attachment, according to the invention attain important advantages.

[0056] Indeed, the ski attachment 1, and the related procedure of locking or unlocking a ski-booth with the same attachment. Allow to reduce considerably or totally cancel the possibility of accident by the ski user. Moreover, the ski attachment 1 is very stable but at the same time reactive, in view of a reduced structural complexity. Making said attachment 1 very economical and competitive on the market.

[0057] The invention is susceptible of variations falling within the inventive concept defined in the annexed claims. For instance, the attachments 1 installed on the same pair of skis, may be mutually coordinated and the related control units 4 may be connected, for instance through the corresponding connection means, and configured control the simultaneous release of both ski-boots 10.

[0058] Moreover, if the user wears a track-suit including an airbag, the control unit 4 might be connected, for instance through connection means, with the airbag activation system, and configured to actuate the airbag when the locking means 21, 31 are unlocked, for instance in a situation of danger found by the presence of resisting forces or by telemetric data. In this connection, all the details may be replaced by equivalent elements, and materials, shapes and dimensions may be just any.

Claims

1. Ski-binding attachment (1) comprising:

- a ferrule (2) configured to interact with the toe (10a) of a ski-boot (10) and comprising first locking means (20) configured to lock at command the toe (10a) within said ferrule (2), and comprising:

- at least a first ferromagnetic movable arm (200) defining at least a first position, in which said first locking means (20) lock said toe (10a), and a second position in which said first locking means (20) unlock said toe (10a), and

- a first electromagnet (201) configured to move at command said first arm (200), so as to achieve either said first position or said second position according to its own polarity,

- and a control unit (4) operatively connected to said first electromagnet (201) and configured to commute the polarity of the first electromagnet (201), so as to move the first arm (200) either to lock or to unlock the toe (10a),

and characterized by the fact that

- said first arm (200) interferes with the toe (10a), contacting and locking it, or is integrally connected with an element interfering with the toe (10a) so as to move, when actuated, also the interfering element, to achieve either the locking or the unlocking configuration of the attachment.

2. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to claim 1, wherein said ferrule (2) further comprises first acquisition means (21) configured to sense at least a resisting force made by said first locking means (20) on said toe (10a) when locked, and said command unit (4) is configured to polarize said first electromagnet (201) so as to achieve said second position of said first arm (200), whenever said resisting force is higher than a first predetermined limit force.

3. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a heel-piece (3) configured to interact with the heel (10b) of a ski-boot (10), and comprising second locking means (30) configured to lock at command said heel (10b) to said heel-piece (3), and comprising at least a second electromagnetic movable arm (300), defining at least a third position, wherein said second locking means (30) lock said heel (10b), and a fourth position, wherein said locking means (30) unlock said heel (10b), and a second electromagnet (301) configured to move at command said second arm (300), so as to achieve either said third or said fourth position acceding to its polarity, said command unit (4) being operatively connected also to said second electromagnet (301), and configured to modify said polarity of said electromagnet (301), so as to move said second arm (300) either to lock or to unlock said heel (10b).

4. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said heel-piece (3) further comprises acquisition means (31) configured to detect at least a resistant force applied by said second locking means (30) or said locked heel (10b), and said command unit (4) is configured to polarize said second electromagnet (301), achieving said fourth position of said second arm (300), whenever said resistant force exceeds a predetermined second limit force.

5. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to claim 2 and/or 4, wherein said command unit (4) comprises interface means (40) accessible by the user, configured to allow said user to modify the amount of said first predetermined limit force and/or of said second predetermined limit force.

6. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to claim 5, wherein said interface means (40) comprise at least a screen (40a) configured for making visually accessible to said user, said first predetermined limit force and/or said second predetermined limit force, and a push-button panel configured to allow said user to increase or decrease said first predetermined limit force and/or said second predetermined limit force.

7. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said command unit (4) comprises sensor means (41) configured to acquire the telemetric data of a user, configured to modify said polarity of said first electromagnet (201) and/or of said second electromagnet (301) according to said telemetric data.

8. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to claim 7, wherein said command unit (4) comprises storage means (42) operatively connected at least to said sensor means (41) and said acquisition means (21, 31), and configured to input said telemetric data and said resistant forces.

9. Ski-binding attachment (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said command unit (4) comprises connection means, configured to allow remote connection of said command unit (4) with a remote electronic computer.

10. Method of connecting or disconnecting said ski-boot (10) with/from an attachment (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising step of polarizing at least said first electromagnet (201), so as to move said first arm (200) to said first position or to said second position.

Drawing