US20120007338A1 - Automatic release control system for controlling the connection between two elements - Google Patents

Automatic release control system for controlling the connection between two elements Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120007338A1
US20120007338A1 US13/085,105 US201113085105A US2012007338A1 US 20120007338 A1 US20120007338 A1 US 20120007338A1 US 201113085105 A US201113085105 A US 201113085105A US 2012007338 A1 US2012007338 A1 US 2012007338A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
coupling
coupling system
control surface
ski
control
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US13/085,105
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English (en)
Inventor
Juan MORAN ADARRAGA
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GOLDEN CRAB SL
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GOLDEN CRAB SL
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Priority to US13/085,105 priority Critical patent/US20120007338A1/en
Assigned to GOLDEN CRAB S.L. reassignment GOLDEN CRAB S.L. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ADARRAGA, JUAN MORAN
Publication of US20120007338A1 publication Critical patent/US20120007338A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/0802—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings other than mechanically controlled, e.g. electric, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic, pyrotechnic devices; Remote control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/084—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with heel hold-downs, e.g. swingable
    • A63C9/0844—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with heel hold-downs, e.g. swingable the body pivoting about a transverse axis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/084—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with heel hold-downs, e.g. swingable
    • A63C9/0845—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with heel hold-downs, e.g. swingable the body or base or a jaw pivoting about a vertical axis, i.e. side release
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/085—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/085—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable
    • A63C9/08535—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable with a mobile body or base or single jaw
    • A63C9/08542—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable with a mobile body or base or single jaw pivoting about a transversal axis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/085—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable
    • A63C9/08535—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable with a mobile body or base or single jaw
    • A63C9/0855—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings with sole hold-downs, e.g. swingable with a mobile body or base or single jaw pivoting about a vertical axis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C9/00—Ski bindings
    • A63C9/08—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings
    • A63C9/086—Ski bindings yieldable or self-releasing in the event of an accident, i.e. safety bindings using parts which are fixed on the shoe of the user and are releasable from the ski binding

Definitions

  • the mechanism ensures that whatever the direction, application point and strength of the resultant of the forces transmitted by the apparatus to the leg, the releasable retaining system will release under the action of a potentially injurious force and remain in retaining state if no injurious forces are involved.
  • the invention relates to a system for controlling the relative motion between two elements.
  • this system is applicable for controlling the connection between a user's leg, and specifically a boot, and an apparatus.
  • the invention also relates to a device for controlling the relative motion between two elements, in particular the connection between a user's leg and an apparatus. It also relates to a method for controlling the relative motion between two elements.
  • bindings based on spring retention that release the skiers boot from the ski when the force exerted from the boot on the binding exceeds the force of the spring.
  • the vast majority of those bindings include two units: a “toe unit” that retains the toe part of the boot and a “heel unit” that holds the heel part of the boot.
  • the toe unit mechanism in a great number of current bindings is such that they only release the toe end of the boot when it moves in the “horizontal plane,” that is, the plane of the ski.
  • the heel unit in the vast majority of the current ski bindings is such, that it only releases the heel end of the boot when it moves in the “vertical plane” that is a plane perpendicular to the plane of the ski.
  • the springs are usually in the static part. This means that the static part has to be long enough to house the spring or springs.
  • the mobile or dynamic part has to be long enough to move along with the boot in its movement from a retaining to a releasing position, absorbing as much energy as possible.
  • the previous configuration forces the designers using state of the art bindings principles to choose between either too big bindings or bindings with poor energy absorption, as it will be explained herein.
  • the bindings described therein solve the problem of releasing under lateral forces, but in fact fails to accomplish this adequately. In the first place, the binding only releases under forces applied on one side of the ski, not on both sides.
  • the present invention provides for optimization of the process of switching from a retaining state to a releasing state in all the possible directions of the force applied and keeps constant the force required to release: a) all along the path of the releasable retaining system from the retaining position to the releasing position, and b) no matter the direction and point of application of the force.
  • the retention force varies along the movement of the binding from the retaining position to the releasing position. As long as the binding moves to release the boot, the retention force is different in the different positions of the binding.
  • the graph in FIG. 9 shows in the x-axis the distance T traveled by a binding from its retaining (RT) position to its releasing (RL) position and in the y-axis the force needed to release the binding F (that is equivalent in value to the retention force).
  • the dotted line shows the retention force in a conventional binding in each position all along this path.
  • the area contained between this dotted line and the axis (integral of the force over the displacement) represents the work, and the amount of energy needed to do the work of releasing a conventional binding.
  • the amount of work needed to release a binding is, using other words, the amount of energy produced in the ski incident and this is, as previously explained, a function of the force F and the distance T.
  • the potential injury has no relation with the distance T, it is only related with the exerted force F. It is important to prevent inadvertent releases that the binding can absorb as much energy as possible because this will prevent small incidents (with no risk of injury because the applied force F is under injury levels) derived from releasing the binding. In other words, the binding can travel a distance T as far as possible while applying a constant retention force F, that is, maintaining the retention just under the injury level but traveling as far as possible.
  • a device is needed to effectively control the connection between a user's leg and an apparatus, such as a board, a snowboard, a ski, or any other device that by its features prevents the critical situations in which the user runs a risk of an injury, such as those described above.
  • the present invention not only solves the existing problems of prior bindings, but it does so by being complete, compact, mechanical, non expensive, simple and easy to manufacture.
  • the present invention can be extensively configured not only in with respect to its retention force, but all its behavior to new and different demands, such as for special individuals or communities with different physiologic structures, according to new discoveries, racers with specific demands, etc. Therefore the invention's application can be customized.
  • the present invention is not required to have any type of electronic devices and will work well in aggressive, outdoor environments.
  • the present invention has been conceived and designed with one objective: to help in controlling the connection between a skier and a ski.
  • it can be used in many other fields that require an efficient mode of regulating connections between two parts, one or both parts susceptible to being affected negatively by the application of forces on the other.
  • the present invention is, using an electrical analogy, like the most efficient “fuse” in a circuit to prevent damages when the load is too high and exceeds predetermined values.
  • An object of the present invention is to solve the until now unsolved problem of bringing full protection against injuries when a user's leg is connected to an apparatus such that the induced forces applied to the user's leg might induce severe injuries in the user's leg.
  • the present invention achieves this objective, because it disconnects the user's leg from the apparatus when any potentially injurious force is applied to the user's leg through the apparatus, no matter the direction or point of application of the force.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide better performance by keeping the apparatus effectively connected to the user's leg in any circumstance in which there is no risk of injury. This prevents the apparatus from disconnecting when it should remain connected and consequently prevents the user from injuries induced by accidents caused by the loss of an apparatus, such as a ski.
  • An aspect of the present invention provides a coupling system that controls the connection between a user's leg, preferably a foot or boot, and an apparatus to which the user is bound by using at least a three dimensional cam and follower-type system.
  • a further aspect of the invention is a device that controls the connection between a user's leg and an apparatus to which the user is bound by a releasable retaining mechanism or system that has two states: a retaining state and a releasing state.
  • An aspect of the present invention involves the connection of a user's leg and an apparatus that is composed by two units, a first one holding the user's boot at the toe end (toe unit) and a second one holding the user's boot at the heel end (heel unit).
  • Each of these units has two mechanisms (as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 ): the manual release or releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ) to hold the boot ends and an automatic release or releasable retaining mechanism or “Automatic Release Control Mechanism” ( 17 ) to control the way the connection behaves when external forces are applied to the ski, efficiently regulating the connection between the user's leg and the apparatus.
  • the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ) which is the one that holds the boot at its ends, is manually switchable from a retaining state to a releasing state. It serves to manually connect the user's boot to the apparatus and to manually disconnect the user's boot from the apparatus.
  • Both mechanisms, the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ) and the automatic release control mechanism ( 17 ) are connected together by conventional and adequate means.
  • Both mechanisms, the manual and the automatic, can be joined by different means. In some preferred embodiments they are bolted, in other they share a common part.
  • the Automatic Releasable Retaining Mechanism is conceived, designed and developed in such a way that the behavior of the overall releasable retaining system or binding is optimal in all the cases including those not covered by the bindings currently in the market.
  • the continuous line in the x-y graph in FIG. 9 shows instead the retention force in the binding object of the invention at any point along the path from the retaining to the releasing position.
  • the invention allows the adjustment of a maximum retention force for each different release direction. Even in diagonal (combined) forces it is possible to adjust or customize different retention forces for different release directions.
  • the invention can therefore be configured or customized, that is, its functioning can be extensively adapted not only with respect to its retention force but all its behavior to new and different demands, like for special individuals or communities with different physiologic structures, according to new discoveries, racers with specific demands, etc. . . . Every adaptation can be made just by changing two small pieces, without the need of electronic devices and robust to work in a harsh, outdoor environment.
  • a binding using the present invention can have the pressure exerting element or pressure device (elastic elements as springs, pneumatic element as pistons, magnetic elements), if desired, in the mobile part.
  • the different elements of the mechanism can be placed either in the mobile part of in a static or fixed part, depending on the design features of each binding.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of a ski boot connected to a ski 40 through a ski binding having two units, a toe unit and a heel unit, each unit having two mechanisms, a manually releasable mechanism 16 , and an automatic release control mechanism 17 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an automatic releasable retaining mechanism performance with respect to diagonal forces R, a binding equipped with an automatic releasable retaining mechanism of the present invention shown using continuous line and a conventional binding performance shown using a dotted line.
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a connecting element with the carved surface of the connecting cam from the connecting sliding cam.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the connecting element on the supporting element including the supporting piece with the carved surface of the supporting cam from the supporting sliding cam.
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an automatic releasable retaining mechanism.
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an automatic releasable retaining mechanism showing some of its internal components.
  • FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an automatic releasable retaining mechanism showing the possibilities of displacement of the point B respect to the point A limited by a limited part of a theoretical sphere.
  • FIG. 8 shows three different positions of an automatic releasable retaining mechanism.
  • FIG. 9 shows a energy absorption graphic in a binding using the automatic releasable retaining mechanism (continuous line) compared with a conventional binding (dotted line) as well as an upper view of two skis.
  • FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of automatic releasable retaining mechanism showing the plungers.
  • FIG. 11 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a side view of a preferred embodiment in which there is a single spring and a single cam and follower system.
  • FIG. 12 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a side view of a preferred embodiment in which there is an alternative device interposed between the cam and the follower.
  • FIG. 13 shows a side view and a top view of a manual releasable retaining system.
  • FIG. 14 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a side view of a preferred embodiment using a ball and socket type mechanism.
  • FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section of top view of the embodiment in FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 16 shows a longitudinal section of a side view of an optional arrangement of the ball and socket mechanism of FIGS. 12 and 14 .
  • FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section of a top view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 12 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a ski boot connected to a ski ( 40 ) through a releasable retaining system or binding ( 16 , 17 , 16 ′, 17 ′ in FIG. 1 ).
  • the system has bindings made up by at least two units: a toe unit, which is the unit holding the toe part of the boot ( 16 , 17 ) and a heel unit, which is the unit holding the heel part of the boot ( 16 ′, 17 ′).
  • These units are of the releasable type, which means that they can release the boot when a force exceeding a threshold level is applied to the boot or manually when the user wants to get disconnected from the ski.
  • Each unit has two mechanisms: one mechanism ( 16 ), which is a manual release mechanism, for contacting the boot to hold the boot end; and a second mechanism ( 17 ), which is an automatic release mechanism connected to the ski, to control the way the connection behaves when external forces are applied to the ski.
  • one mechanism ( 16 ) which is a manual release mechanism, for contacting the boot to hold the boot end
  • a second mechanism ( 17 ) which is an automatic release mechanism connected to the ski, to control the way the connection behaves when external forces are applied to the ski.
  • the automatic release mechanism ( 17 ) is the primary mechanism that controls the connection between the boot and the ski ( 40 ). It has two main states, a retaining state in which the boot is retained to the ski, and a releasing state in which the boot is released by disconnecting the boot from the ski when any potentially injurious force is applied to the user's leg trough the ski and the boot. This release is independent of the direction or point of application of the force that is exerted. When there is no risk of injury, the same element assures that the boot remains connected to the ski flexibly and firmly, thus preventing any inadvertent release of the boot.
  • the binding and, in particular, the automatic release mechanism ( 17 , 17 ′) can comprise a connecting element ( 1 in FIG. 3 ) that is configured to connect the automatic release mechanism to the ski in a manner that allows the automatic release mechanism to turn about at least one of at least two perpendicular axes, but preferable about both axes ( 14 and 15 in FIG. 3 ).
  • a connecting element is a universal joint type cross as shown in the figures.
  • the connecting element ( 1 ) is connected to at least one support element ( 3 in FIG. 4 ) that can be extended through an extension element ( 12 in FIG. 6 ) and that is fixed to the ski.
  • the support element ( 3 ) can be configured to support the connecting element ( 1 ), allowing the connecting element to turn around an axis, for example a vertical axis ( 14 in FIG. 4 ).
  • the automatic release mechanism ( 17 , 17 ′) also includes at least one housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) connected to the connecting element ( 1 ) in such a way that the housing element ( 13 ) can turn around an axis ( 15 in FIG. 5 ) that is different from the other axis ( 14 in FIG. 5 ) around which the connecting element can turn, for example a horizontal axis.
  • the housing element ( 13 ) has at least one pressure exerting element or pressure device, usually a compression or an elastic device ( 6 , 8 in FIG. 6 ), preferably a preloaded compression spring or similar device which is housed in the housing element ( 13 ).
  • this pressure device or pressure exerting element can be a pneumatic device or a magnetic device.
  • this element we will refer to this element as a spring, although as mentioned, any other device or element that provides similar features could be used.
  • At least one sliding or control system is included which is formed by at least two pieces defining control surfaces that can slide one with respect to the other converting rotary motion into linear motion, of the cam and follower type, for example.
  • a bi-dimensional cam and follower system that is, a cam and a follower configured to allow relative two dimensional movement between the cam and the follower (the follower can move in a plane)
  • the supporting sliding or control system ( 4 - 5 in FIG. 6 ) is a three dimensional cam and follower system that is, a cam and a follower configured to allow relative three dimensional movement between the cam and the follower (the follower can move in a volume).
  • Either the “cam” or the “follower” of the at least one sliding or control system are linked to the at least one spring.
  • At least one pre-load adjustment system ( 9 - 10 ) is included to adjust the load exerted by the compression spring between both parts, the cam ( 2 , 4 ) and the follower ( 7 , 5 ).
  • the releasing control system is designed in a way that provides one, several or all of the following advantages. It allows the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ), that is, the mechanism or device holding a boot end, to be positioned at any point on a surface that is a delimited space of a theoretical sphere ( FIG. 7 ) with its center placed in a point close to the first connecting element ( 1 ), preferably in the point where the horizontal axis ( 15 ) and vertical axis ( 14 ) cross, or point A.
  • the first preferred embodiment it allows a point B to be positioned at any point that is delimited by the space of a theoretical sphere with its center in A which is the point where the vertical and the horizontal axis of the connecting element cross ( 1 ).
  • This theoretical sphere has a radius equal to the distance between the point A, which is the center of the theoretical sphere, and the point B, which is placed in the surface of the theoretical sphere ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the automatic releasing control mechanism ( 17 ) should have at least one cam and follower system or sliding system or control system.
  • this mechanism ( 17 ) has more than one cam and follower system, and one of them, the connecting sliding or control system ( 2 - 7 in FIG. 6 ) is joined to the connecting element ( 1 in FIG. 6 ) while the other, the supporting sliding system ( 4 - 5 in FIG. 6 ) is connected to the supporting element ( 3 in FIG. 6 ), it forces the connecting sliding system ( 2 - 7 FIG. 6 ) to always work only in a vertical plane. That is, it only increases spring ( 6 ) compression when the housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) moves vertically ( FIG. 8 ), and does not work.
  • the supporting sliding or control system ( 4 - 5 in FIG. 6 ) instead, which is joined to the supporting element ( 3 in FIG. 6 ), always works. That is, it always increases spring ( 8 ) retention no matter the housing element ( 13 ) displacement direction, vertical, horizontal or a combination of both. This allows the adjustment of the binding to a maximum retention force a) independently of any different direction and b) with this retention force being constant all along the path of the binding from the retaining position to the releasing position.
  • the 4/1 ratio means that when the device is subjected to a vertical movement, both springs react, while if the device is subjected to a horizontal movement only one of the springs reacts.
  • the binding Due to the springs action, the binding defines a stable position of the point B ( FIG. 7 ) with respect to the point A ( FIG. 7 ), as well obviously of the point B′ with respect to the point A′. Further, and due to the springs action too, the binding applies a resistance torque towards the stable position or initial position when forces tangential to the theoretical spherical surface are applied on B ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the values of the resistance force in any position of B ( FIG. 7 ) from any direction of movement can be configured or customized by the designer by changing the shape of the cams ( 2 , 4 ) of the sliding or control systems and therefore the systems will work according to this customization or configuration. This results in an optimal lateral retention force against forces in any direction.
  • Friction is minimized, thus, minimizing work waste, so the retention force when the system or binding goes out of the initial or stable position is practically equivalent to the pushing force when the system or binding “comes back” to initial or stable position.
  • this method and device is not limited to the connection between a user's leg and an apparatus (binding) but can be applied to other similar systems and fields.
  • This method and mechanism can be applied in any case in which there are two elements where one is fixed and another one is movable, such that:
  • the values of resistant force in any position of the movable element can be defined as desired and the system will behave according to this definition.
  • FIGS. 3 to 10 of this application illustrate one non-limiting preferred embodiment of a binding and automatic releasable mechanism or device ( 17 ) in accordance with this invention for controlling the connection between a user and a ski on which the user's leg and/or foot is retained by a releasable retaining system or binding.
  • a binding and automatic releasable mechanism or device 17 in accordance with this invention for controlling the connection between a user and a ski on which the user's leg and/or foot is retained by a releasable retaining system or binding.
  • This connecting element ( 1 ) is connected somehow to the ski ( 40 ).
  • the intersection or crossing point of these axes define a point A ( FIG. 7 ) which is the center of a virtual or theoretical sphere that delimits the movement of the elements or components of the binding not fixed to the ski.
  • this connecting element ( 1 ) as a cross ( 1 ) too.
  • the vertical arm of the cross ( 1 ) is specially shaped, defining a carved surface ( 2 in FIG. 3 ) following mathematical calculations to be the cam of a connecting sliding or control system ( 2 , 7 ) which is a cam and follower system having one cam ( 2 FIG. 6 ) and one follower ( 7 in FIG. 6 ) of specific characteristics.
  • the follower ( 7 ) moves along the surface of the cam ( 2 ).
  • the cross ( 1 FIG. 4 ) is connected by the lower end of the vertical arm to a supporting element ( 3 in FIG. 4 ) that is fixed to the ski in a way that allows the cross ( 1 ) to rotate around its vertical axis ( 14 in FIG. 4 ).
  • This supporting element ( 3 in FIG. 6 ), with two surfaces at square angles, is fixed to the ski by its lower surface and it might include a projection ( 12 in FIG. 6 ).
  • This projection ( 12 ) is in this preferred embodiment made of some low friction material to allow a better sliding of the boot during transition from a retaining state to a releasing state.
  • this supporting piece ( 19 ) can be made by two independent elements, one acting as a cam and another acting as housing of the cross ( 1 ).
  • the cross ( 1 ) is connected by its upper end to the supporting piece ( 19 in FIG. 4 ) bolted to the upper part of the supporting element ( 3 ) in a way that permits the cross ( 1 ) to turn or rotate around its vertical axis ( 14 in FIG. 4 )
  • the horizontal arm of the cross ( 1 ) is connected to a housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) in a way that allows the housing element ( 13 ) to rotate around the horizontal arm of the cross ( 1 ), that is, around the horizontal axis ( 15 FIG. 5 )
  • the housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) has two housings, an upper housing ( 20 FIG. 5 ) and a lower housing ( 21 FIG. 5 ), which respectively accommodate two elastic devices, preferably springs, an upper spring ( 6 in FIG. 6 ) and an lower spring ( 8 in FIG. 6 ).
  • Each spring ( 6 , 8 ) has its own preload adjustment system, that for example can be an upper bolt ( 9 ) and a lower bolt 10 to adjust the load of each spring ( 6 , 8 ), respectively.
  • the thread for moving the bolts are placed in a disc upholding the spring ( 6 , 8 ). In this way the bolts do not move inside-out and always keep the same position.
  • Both springs ( 6 , 8 in FIG. 6 ) are inlay in/protected by respective plungers ( 18 , 22 ) to prevent the bending of the springs ( 6 , 8 ). Other means to prevent bending can be used.
  • the upper plunger ( 22 ) is not shown in FIG. 6 to help to see the upper spring ( 6 ) in its entire length.
  • the end of the upper plunger ( 22 in FIG. 10 ) abuts the supporting follower ( 5 ) or the supporting sliding or control system ( 4 , 5 ), which is shaped to move in any direction following the changes in the relative position of point B (B in FIG. 7 ) with respect to point A (A in FIG. 7 ).
  • the abutted supporting follower ( 5 ) moves over the specifically defined surface of the supporting cam ( 4 in FIG. 6 ).
  • supporting follower ( 5 in FIG. 6 ) can be made of two components: one concave surface and a ball combining optimal materials to minimize friction.
  • the abutted supporting follower ( 5 in FIG. 6 ) of the upper plunger ( 22 in FIG. 10 ) plus the specifically defined surface of the supporting cam ( 4 in FIG. 6 ) form the supporting sliding or control system or upper cam and follower system.
  • the end of the lower plunger ( 18 in FIG. 6 ) abuts a the connecting follower ( 7 in FIG. 6 ) in this preferred embodiment, forming a housing to house a follower similar to a rolling pin that is shaped to move up and down along the surface of the connecting cam ( 2 in FIG. 6 ) following the changes in the relative position of point B (B in FIG. 7 ) respect to point A (A in FIG. 7 ).
  • Optimal materials to minimize friction can be interposed between the rolling pin of the connecting follower ( 7 ) and its housing.
  • Low friction pieces can be interposed between the spring housings ( 20 , 21 ) and the plungers ( 18 , 22 )
  • the friction pieces can be single or multiple in each spring. It is possible too to use low friction treatments instead.
  • the sliding or control systems might be inverted that is, with the cam in the extreme of the spring and the follower in the part joined to the ski.
  • Another embodiment involves connecting the described Automatic Releasing Control mechanism ( 17 ) object of the present invention in an opposite way, that is, joined to the ski through the housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) or a vertical plate ( 11 in FIG. 6 ) and placing the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ) for holding the boot to the binding joined to the support element ( 3 FIG. 6 ), such that the elements that in the previously described embodiment were joined to the ski are now joined to the boot and the elements that were joined to the boot are in this latter embodiment joined to the ski.
  • FIG. 11 Another embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 11 only has one pressure device, preferably a spring ( 25 FIG. 11 ), one housing ( 28 FIG. 11 ) and one cam ( 27 FIG. 11 ) and follower ( 26 FIG. 11 ) system.
  • the cam surface ( 27 FIG. 11 ) is in a lower position, specifically, at the cross center where the horizontal ( 29 FIG. 11 ) and vertical axis ( 14 ) cross, and fixed to the supporting element in a way that allows the housing turn around a vertical axis ( 14 in FIG. 11 ) and allows the housing ( 28 FIG. 11 ) to turn free around a horizontal axis ( 29 FIG. 11 ).
  • This disposition allows a lighter, smaller and simpler binding.
  • it has the disadvantage that to change the ratio between the vertical and horizontal retention force it is needed to change the cam surface 27 while in the first preferred embodiment this ratio can be adjusted just by moving the spring preload.
  • FIG. 14 Another embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 14 uses a ball and socket mechanism instead of using a universal joint type mechanism.
  • the housing ( 13 in FIG. 14 ) is specially shaped to fit to the ball ( 35 in FIG. 14 ) allowing the housing ( 13 in FIG. 14 ) to turn around axes 14 and 15 (axes 15 is invisible in FIG. 14 , see FIGS. 5 and 15 for reference) with respect to the supporting element ( 34 in FIG. 14 ) attached to the ski.
  • FIG. 15 shows a top view of the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. In this view we can appreciate axis 15 .
  • FIG. 12 Another embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 12 is a mechanism that can be used in most of the expressed preferred embodiments to manage the compression of the pressure device ( 25 in FIG. 12 ). It comprises a pivoting member ( 30 FIG. 12 ) that can turn around a horizontal axis ( 31 FIG. 12 ).
  • the pivoting member ( 30 FIG. 12 ) is shaped in a way to hold the pressure device, preferably a spring ( 24 FIG. 12 ), by one side and to hold a control surface ( 37 in FIG. 12 ) or cam by its other side.
  • This pivoting member ( 30 ) turns around its axes ( 31 in FIG. 12 ) under the pressure of the ball ( 36 in FIG. 12 ) when the housing ( 13 in FIG.
  • This pivoting member moves in any direction pressing the spring, thus, inducing a resistant force against the movement of the housing depending on the shape of the surface ( 37 in FIG. 12 ) for any particular direction.
  • This pivoting member moves one spring end mainly in a horizontal direction with a minor movement in the vertical direction, maintaining the spring in a correct position along the compression range without the need of any other help.
  • the inclusion of this pivoting member reduces the friction forces with respect to the embodiments using plungers.
  • the axis ( 31 in FIG. 12 ) of the pivoting member ( 30 in FIG. 12 ) can optionally be placed in the lower part of the housing ( 13 in FIG. 12 ). This option is not shown in the figures.
  • FIG. 17 shows a top view of the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. In this perspective axis 31 is clearly illustrated.
  • FIG. 16 shows a side view of an optional feature of the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. It comprises a cylindrical abutment ( 38 in FIG. 16 ) of the ball ( 35 in FIG. 16 ) that moves along a longitudinal groove ( 39 in FIG. 16 ) carved in the part of the housing ( 13 in FIG. 16 ) forming the socket. This combination of groove and abutment prevents the housing from turning around X axis while allowing the rest of the ball and socket degrees of freedom.
  • the manual releasable mechanism ( 16 in FIG. 13 ) has a projection to permit the mechanism to turn around an axis ( 33 in FIG. 13 ).
  • the connecting means between the manual releasing retaining mechanism ( 16 in FIG. 1 ) and the automatic release control mechanism ( 17 in FIG. 1 ) in such a case, are then configured to permit this movement.
  • the supporting element ( 3 in FIG. 4 ) is fixed to the ski ( 40 ), so it cannot move.
  • the housing element ( 13 in FIG. 5 ) can turn or rotate around both axes, a vertical axis ( 14 in FIG. 5 ) and an horizontal axis ( 15 in FIG. 5 ), meaning that it can move vertically, horizontally and in diagonal by the combination of the vertical and horizontal movements.
  • the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 in FIG. 1 ) keeps the boot connected to the automatic release control mechanism ( 17 ).
  • the shapes of the surfaces of the connecting cam ( 2 in FIG. 4 ) and supporting cam ( 4 in FIG. 4 ) are such that, the pre-load of the upper ( 6 ) and lower ( 8 ) springs transmitted to the surfaces of the cams ( 2 , 4 ) maintains the mechanism in a stable position corresponding to the ideal position of the boot in the ski.
  • the “diagonal management” that is, apart from an optimal behavior when lateral and vertical forces are applied on the ski, the binding provides optimal behavior when a combination of both is involved, avoiding that the horizontal (H FIG. 2 ) and vertical (V FIG. 2 ) components of a diagonal force sum and, thus, producing a resultant diagonal that exceeds the injury safe values.
  • the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ), that is, the mechanism or device holding a boot end, can be at any moment positioned at any point (B) of a surface that is part of a theoretical or virtual sphere that has its center at a point (A) close to the connecting element ( 1 ).
  • the point B is always positioned at any point of a theoretical sphere with its center in point A, point where the vertical axis ( 14 ) and the horizontal axis ( 15 ) of the connecting element ( 1 ) or cross ( 1 ), and where the radius is equal to the distance (AB) between the center point A and point (B in FIG. 7 ).
  • the distance D between point B ( FIG. 1 , FIG. 9 ) and point B′ ( FIG. 1 , FIG. 9 ), where B′ corresponds to point B but on the other manual releasable and retaining mechanism ( 16 ) on the ski increases as long as the releasing control mechanism ( 17 ) moves in any direction due to the limitation of the point B ( FIG. 7 ) to move restricted to the theoretical sphere with radius (AB in FIG. 7 ).
  • the boot is released by a combination of geometric and mechanical effects that is, when the releasing control mechanism ( 17 ) reaches a certain position, triggers a mechanism in the manual releasable retaining mechanism ( 16 ) in such a way that the manual releasable mechanism releases the boot.
  • the manual mechanism ( 16 ) can be considered as a “manual—automatic releasable retaining mechanism”.
  • the pressure exerting elements or pressure devices that maintain the contact between the follower and the cam are pneumatic instead of elastic.
  • the pressure devices are magnetic instead of elastic. Other mechanisms for applying pressure can be used as well.
  • cam surface ( 4 in FIG. 6 ) is in the pressure device or spring ( 6 ) side and the ball ( 5 in FIG. 6 ) of the follower is on the supporting element ( 3 ) side.
  • the rolling pin ( 7 in FIG. 6 ) of the follower is on the cross or connecting element ( 1 ) side and the cam surface ( 2 in FIG. 6 ) is on the pressure device or spring ( 8 ) side.
  • the rolling pin ( 7 in FIG. 6 ) of the follower is in the cross or connecting element ( 1 ) side and the cam surface ( 2 in FIG. 6 ) is on the pressure device or spring ( 8 ) side and the cam surface ( 4 in FIG. 6 ) is on the pressure device or spring side ( 6 ) side and the ball ( 5 in FIG. 6 ) of the follower is on the supporting element ( 3 ) side.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
US13/085,105 2010-04-12 2011-04-12 Automatic release control system for controlling the connection between two elements Abandoned US20120007338A1 (en)

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US13/085,105 US20120007338A1 (en) 2010-04-12 2011-04-12 Automatic release control system for controlling the connection between two elements

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150061262A1 (en) * 2013-08-01 2015-03-05 Christopher A. Brown Ski binding plate
CN110783122A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2020-02-11 伊顿智能动力有限公司 部件减少和可靠性改善的中性位置限位开关头设计

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DE102011082612A1 (de) * 2011-09-13 2013-03-14 SALEWA Sportgeräte GmbH Ferseneinheit für eine Tourenbindung

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US3476401A (en) * 1967-04-21 1969-11-04 Paul Unger Safety binding for ski
US3596920A (en) * 1969-04-14 1971-08-03 Alan M Haire Adjustable safety ski bindings
US3689095A (en) * 1969-07-14 1972-09-05 Georges P J Salomon Ski boot fixation device
US3709510A (en) * 1970-10-08 1973-01-09 H Gotz Safety ski binding
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US4572541A (en) * 1982-08-03 1986-02-25 Ste Look Safety toe-abutment member for a ski
US4684147A (en) * 1983-03-31 1987-08-04 Salomon S.A. Ski binding
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FR2652272A2 (fr) * 1986-04-08 1991-03-29 Look Sa Fixation de securite pour ski.
US4889358A (en) * 1987-09-18 1989-12-26 Salomon S.A. Front binding for a ski boot
EP0340623A2 (fr) * 1988-05-04 1989-11-08 HTM Sport- und Freizeitgeräte Gesellschaft m.b.H. Mâchoires avant
DE4203569A1 (de) * 1992-02-07 1993-08-12 Look Sa Sicherheitsvorderbacken einer skibindung
US6196570B1 (en) * 1996-09-11 2001-03-06 Marker Deutschland Gmbh Boot-retaining unit of a disengageable ski binding
US7318598B2 (en) * 2003-02-18 2008-01-15 Kneebinding Inc. Alpine ski binding heel unit
US20080036180A1 (en) * 2006-08-08 2008-02-14 Vermont Safety Developments Alpine Ski Binding System Having Release Logic for Inhibiting Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150061262A1 (en) * 2013-08-01 2015-03-05 Christopher A. Brown Ski binding plate
US9339719B2 (en) * 2013-08-01 2016-05-17 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Ski binding plate
CN110783122A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2020-02-11 伊顿智能动力有限公司 部件减少和可靠性改善的中性位置限位开关头设计

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WO2011128065A2 (fr) 2011-10-20

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