Abstract:
The invention relates to an arrangement for a ski binding which can be positioned on a ski, the binding including two parts: a front jaw and a heel holder which can be moved in a sliding manner in the longitudinal direction of the ski in guiding mechanisms which are fixed to the ski, and are connected by a connecting element extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The position of one of the parts of the ski binding can be adjusted in relation to the connecting element, and the connecting element can be fixed in relation to the ski. The mutual position of the front jaw and the heel holder can be self-adjusted and fixed on the connecting element in such a way that the front jaw and the heel holder form, together with the connecting element, a pre-assembled unit which is separate from the ski, and which can be slid along the guiding mechanisms which are fixed to the ski.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an arrangement for a ski binding, which can be positioned on a ski, comprising two ski-binding parts, a front jaw and a heel holder, which can be moved in a sliding manner in longitudinal direction of the ski in ski-fixed guiding mechanisms, and are connected by means of a connecting element extending in longitudinal direction of the ski, whereby at least the position of one of the ski-binding parts can be adjusted relative to the connecting element and the connecting element can be fixed relative to the ski. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Such an arrangement, which enables an adaptation of the ski binding to varying ski-shoe sizes and at the same time assures that, when traveling through depressions or the like, an essentially unhindered bending of the ski is possible, is known, for example, from the AT-B-389 453. The connecting element, which extends without guidance between the front jaw and the heel holder can be fixed by means of a receiving means on a locking element, which is provided on the ski-fixed guide rail for the front jaw. The connecting element designed as a metal band can thus be adjusted relative to the ski-fixed guide rail receiving the front jaw. The locking of the metal band on the guide rail occurs with the help of a rotatably supported bolt, which engages one of the holes of a row of holes in the metal band. When the metal band is supposed to be adjusted relative to the guide rail, then the bolt is turned by means of a screw driver so that the end area of the metal band can be lifted off from the bolt. The metal band is now adjusted to the desired distance of the heel holder from the front jaw, the chosen hole is thereafter placed onto the bolt and the bolt is again turned. For a fine adjustment of the distance between the front jaw and the heel holder, an adjusting detent of the heel holder is released relative to its guide rail, the heel holder is moved into the desired position in the guide rail, and is again locked. The known arrangement is thus complicated and not user friendly with respect to its handling. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The basic purpose of the invention is to design an arrangement of the above-mentioned type in such a manner that it is user friendly to operate and guarantees, while maintaining the elastic deformation characteristics of the ski, a simple adaptation of the ski binding to varying shoe sizes. 
   The set purpose is attained according to the invention by the mutual position of the front jaw and heel holder being able to be self-adjusted and fixed on the connecting element, so that the front jaw and the heel holder form, together with the connecting element, a pre-assembled unit, which is separate from the ski, and which can be moved onto the ski-fixed guiding mechanisms. 
   The invention enables a very simple and very comfortable handling of the ski binding during adjustment of the same to varying ski-shoe sizes and during installation of the ski. Particularly user friendly is the handling of the inventive arrangement most of all because the adjustment of the mutual distance between the two ski-binding parts can occur separate from the ski, the in this manner “pre-assembled” unit is merely to be moved onto the ski-fixed guiding mechanisms, and the connecting element is subsequently fixed. 
   The connecting element can according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention be fixed with its central area relative to or on the ski. The fixation of the pre-assembled unit occurs therefore at an easily accessible point. The fastening elements, which are needed for this purpose and which are not to be integrated into the area of the ski-binding parts, can thus be designed simply and advantageously. 
   The fixation of the pre-assembled unit relative to the ski occurs in a preferred embodiment of the invention by means of at least one fastening element, for example a screw, which connects the connecting element to a connecting plate supported on the ski. 
   It is thereby possible in order to fasten the fastening element to provide several fastening points spaced from one another in longitudinal direction of the ski so that the relative position of the ski binding can be adjusted in longitudinal direction of the ski depending on the skiing ability of the user. 
   The parts of the inventive arrangement, which parts are to be arranged on the ski according to a preferred embodiment, are supposed to have an advantageous and simple design. It is advantageous in this connection when the plate connectable to the connecting element is held between and by two plates following in longitudinal direction of the ski, which plates have the guiding mechanisms for receiving the pre-assembled unit. 
   The system of plates and ski binding is supposed to, in as far as it is necessary, react flexibly to the varying loads during skiing. This is achieved or supported, for example, by the plate, which can be connected to the connecting element being limitedly tiltably supported relative to the one plate following in longitudinal direction of the ski, and being limitedly longitudinally movably supported relative to the other plate following in longitudinal direction of the ski. 
   A fixed and safe connection of the pre-assembled unit of ski binding and connecting element relative to the ski can be achieved by simple measures and also by a simple operation. In this regard a preferred embodiment provides that a fastening part is inserted or housed in the connecting plate, which fastening part has the fastening points for the fastening element, and that a receiving element for the fastening element is arranged, for example snapped, on the upper side of the connecting element. 
   An inventively designed arrangement can advantageously provide that the ski together with the plates forms one pre-assembled unit, which is delivered in this form to the sporting-goods commerce. Thus the dealer does not have to deal with the complicated and time-consuming installation of binding parts on the ski. 
   An alternative embodiment has also this advantage, where the guiding mechanisms and/or the fastening points for the unit of ski-binding parts and connecting element, which unit can be pre-assembled, are integrated into the ski during the manufacture of the ski. This offers the manufacturer of the ski the possibility to be able to adjust ski and binding at an optimum to one another, however, on the other hand it is related to a certain amount of work during the manufacture of the ski. 
   In order to guarantee a thrust bearing pressure when the ski shoe is inserted, it is provided that the connecting element can be fastened at least in the area of one of the ski-binding parts on a locking part, relative to which the ski-binding part can be moved rearward on its ski-fixed guiding mechanism against the force of at least one spring so that, when a ski shoe is inserted into the binding, a thrust bearing pressure can be built up. 
   The position of the ski-binding part can according to a preferred embodiment of the invention be adjusted and changed over a limited area relative to the locking part. This enables a certain re-adjustment of the position of the ski-binding part when the binding is already mounted on the ski, and it is also possible to correspondingly correct the thrust bearing pressure should same be too great or too low. 
   The parts of the mechanism for the re-adjustment are arranged and designed in a simple and operatively safe manner when the thrust spring(s) can be supported with their one end on a ski-binding-fixed part, for example a base plate, and with their other end on or in a spring holder, the position of which spring holder can be adjusted and fixed limitedly in longitudinal direction on the locking part. 
   The locking part, which the connecting element engages in order to adjust the binding to the respective shoe size, should enable in a simple manner the locking of the connecting element. It is advantageous in this connection when the locking part is a plate-shaped part and is arranged limitedly longitudinally movably on a support plate, on which the further ski-binding parts, in particular the base plate, are fastened, and which is movable on the ski-fixed guiding mechanism, and when the locking part has means for locking the connecting element, for example two tooth systems defined by a recess, which tooth systems are accessible from the underside of the support plate. 
   To adjust the spring holder, same is preferably coupled to an adjusting detent, which has locking elements, which can mate with the locking part itself in varying positions. 
   The invention also relates to a ski and a ski binding, which are provided with an inventively designed arrangement. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in greater detail in connection with the drawings, which illustrate one exemplary embodiment. The drawing figures are simplified schematic illustrations in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the underside of premounted parts of an inventively designed arrangement, 
       FIG. 2  illustrates details of an embodiment of a locking mechanism, 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the underside of parts provided in the area of a rearward binding part, 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of some parts in the area of the rearward binding part, 
       FIG. 4   a  is a detail of a locking structure, and 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of parts of the arrangement, which parts are to be arranged on the ski. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The terms “longitudinal direction”, “longitudinally movable” or “longitudinally slidable” refer in the following description and the patent claims to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ski, the term “front” refers to a direction in which the toe ski-binding part is positioned, the term “rearward” refers to the direction in which the heel ski-binding part is positioned. 
   The inventive arrangement is provided for fixing or positioning of a ski binding on a ski, which ski binding has a front jaw and a heel holder. The front jaw and the heel holder can be designed in any desired and in particular in the usual manner so that  FIG. 1  merely illustrates a base plate  6  of the front jaw and a base plate  7  of the heel holder. The base plates  6 ,  7  are arranged on support plates  4 ,  5  or are connected to the support plates  4 ,  5 . Both the support plate  4  provided for the base plate  6  of the front jaw and also the support plate  5  provided for the base plate  7  of the heel holder  5  are designed in the form of L-shaped guide bars  2 ,  3  on their two edge areas extending in longitudinal direction of the ski in order to enable a moving of the support plates  4 ,  5  onto plates  17 ,  18  arranged on the ski, the design of which plates  17 ,  18  will be discussed later on. 
   An important part of the inventive arrangement is a connecting element  1  which is designed in particular as a metal band, and which connects the support plate  4  of the front jaw to the support plate  5  of the heel holder. The mechanisms creating this connection are designed such that the mutual distance between the support plate  4  of the front jaw and the support plate  5  of the heel holder and thus the mutual distance between the ski-binding parts can be selected and adjusted. 
     FIG. 2  shows one exemplary embodiment of a suitable locking mechanism. The illustrated locking mechanism is the one for the support plate  4  of the front jaw, the locking mechanism provided in the area of the support plate  5  of the heel holder can have the same design. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a recess  4   a  extending in longitudinal direction is constructed centrally in the support plate  4 . The edges which define the recess  4   a  in longitudinal direction and which are aligned parallel to one another, each have a tooth system  4   b . A locking element  11 , which has counter tooth systems  11   a  and can be operated through a, lever  10 , is movably arranged on the end area of the connecting element  1 . The connecting element  1  can be moved, during a suitable positioning of the locking element  11 , into the central recess  4   a  of the support plate  4 . As soon as the desired position has been reached, a mating of the counter tooth systems  11   a  of the locking element  11  with the tooth systems  4   a  and thus a fixed connection of the support plate  4  to the connecting element  1  is created by rotating the lever  10 . Not illustrated dials, which are mounted on the connecting element  1 , enable an exact adjustment of the mutual distance of the ski-binding parts to the length of the respective ski shoe. 
   A receiving element  13  for a fastening screw  15  is arranged in the central area of the connecting element  1  on its upper side. The receiving element  13  and the connecting element  1  are each provided with a receiving hole for the screw  15 . The receiving element  13 , which consists in particular of plastic, can be snapped onto the connecting element, the associated designs of the receiving element  13  and of the connecting element  1  are familiar to the man skilled in the art. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a further embodiment of the type of the connection of the connecting element  1  in the area of the heel holder. The support plate  5 ′ on which, as has already been mentioned, the base plate  7  of the heel holder is fastened, is here provided centrally with a recess  23  extending in longitudinal direction of the support plate  5 ′. An elongated locking part  25  is inserted from the upper side of the support plate  5 ′ into the recess  23 , which locking part  25 , as is shown in  FIG. 4 , has a central recess  25   a , the extent of which corresponds with the extent of the recess  23  in the support plate  5 ′, and the longitudinal edges of which have tooth systems  25   b . The central recess  25   a  and the tooth systems  25   b  defining their longitudinal edges correspond with the recess  4   a  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the tooth systems  4   b.    
   A relatively large portion of the base plate  7 , which covers the further illustrated parts, is left out or broken away in  FIG. 4  in order to permit to recognize the arrangement and design of the parts otherwise covered up by the base plate  7 . 
   The locking part  25  has a lateral extending flange  27  in the area of each of its outer longitudinal edges, of which flanges one is shown in  FIG. 4 . The lateral flanges  27  are supported on sliding surfaces  28  of the support plate  5 ′ so that the locking part  25  can be longitudinally movable or slidable in longitudinal direction relative to the base plate  7  and to the support plate  5 ′ connected to the base plate. Thus also the further parts of the not illustrated heel holder, which parts are arranged on the base plate  7  or are connected to the base plate, are together with the support plate  5 ′ longitudinally movable relative to the locking part  25 , as will be described in greater detail later on. The extent of the longitudinal mobility is limited by not illustrated stops constructed on both sides on the underside of the base plate  7 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the connecting element  1  in its position locked on the locking part  25 , in which position a locking-element, which is not visible, and is constructed on this end area of the connecting element  1  corresponding to the design according to  FIG. 2 , and which can be operated by the lever  10 , engages with its, here not visible, locking teeth the two tooth systems  25   b.    
     FIG. 4  shows that a spring holder  29 , which is only partially illustrated, is inserted from the upper side into the locking part  25  such that it is longitudinally movable relative to the locking part  25 . The spring holder  29 , however, is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 4  in a position fixed on the locking part  25 . The spring holder  29  forms a type of a housing for the arrangement of thrust springs  31  and an abutment for two thrust springs  31  designed as compression springs.  FIG. 4  indicates thereby only one of the thrust springs  31  in broken lines. The thrust spring  31  is housed in a receiving recess of the spring holder  29  and is supported at its one end on the backwall  29   a  of the spring holder  29 . The thrust springs  31  are supported at their other end on stop surfaces  7   a  or the like constructed on the outer base plate  7 . The spring holder  29  is coupled at the outer face area of the wall  29   a  of the spring holder  29  to an adjusting detent  30 , which has a small detent plate  30   a  and following same an operating element  30  projecting beyond the rearward end of the heel holder or the base plate  7 , which operating element  30   b  enables a manual operation of the adjusting detent  30 . As is in particular shown in  FIG. 4   a , several pairs of locking projections  30   c  are constructed on the underside of the small detent plates  30   a , which pairs of locking projections  30   c  can engage locking openings  25   c  also arranged in pairs on the rearward end area of the locking part  25 . 
     FIG. 4  shows the locked position of the adjusting detent  30 , in which the thrust springs  31  apply a moment of force based on their arrangement, which moment of force presses the locking detent  30  into this locked position. The type of coupling of the adjusting detent  30  to the spring holder  29  is designed such that the adjusting detent  30 , without coming loose from the spring holder  29 , can be lifted by means of the operating element  30   b  so high that its locking projections  30   c  can disengage from the locking openings  25   c  of the locking part  25 . The base plate  7  of the heel holder, which covers and extends over the spring holder  29 , holds the spring holder from above, however, can be moved together with the further parts of the heel holder and of the support plate  5 ′ limited in longitudinal direction relative to the spring holder  29 . 
   The plates  16 ,  17 ,  18  arranged on the not illustrated ski are shown in  FIG. 5 . The connecting plate  16 , which is in the center and is designed narrow by comparison, is held and covered in the connecting area to the plates  17 ,  18  each by two tongue-like shoulders. The design of the connecting areas of the connecting plate  16  to the plates  17 ,  18  is such that the connecting plate  16  can be tilted limitedly relative to the one plate  17 ,  18  and can be longitudinally movable limitedly relative to the other plate  17 ,  18 . An elongated fastening part  12  is integrated, for example inserted from below, centrally into the connecting plate  16 . The fastening part  12  has a number of receiving holes  12   a , in particular three holes  12   a , for receiving the fastening screw  15 . The receiving holes  12   a  are aligned, in particular equally spaced, in longitudinal direction of the guide plate  14  and are accessible from the upper side of the connecting plate  16  through a slotted opening  19 . 
   The lateral plates  17 ,  18  are fastened on the not illustrated ski by means of not illustrated screws. The illustrated embodiment requires two pairs of screws each to fasten each plate  17 ,  18 .  FIG. 3  shows the fastening holes  20 ,  21 , which are arranged in pairs. The fastening holes  20  are provided near the connecting plate  16  and are constructed for the usual quick fastening. The further pairs of fastening holes  21 , which further pairs are constructed on the front or on the rear end area of the plates  17 ,  18 , are slotted holes. The plates  17 ,  18  are held on the ski by the screws, which-are approximately centrally positioned in the slotted holes, however, a certain mobility of the plates  17 ,  18  relative to the ski is permitted. The side edges of the plates  17 ,  18 , which side edges extend in longitudinal direction, form guideways for the guiding bars  2 ,  3  of the support plates  4 ,  5 . 
   The ski is preferably already at the ski manufacturer provided with the plates  16 ,  17 ,  18  and is thus delivered together with them. This has also the advantage that the design of the plates  16 ,  17 ,  18  can be adjusted to the design of the ski. As an alternative to separate plates  16 ,  17 ,  18 , however, it is also possible for the ski manufacturer to integrate the guideways for the support plates  4 ,  5  and the connecting point for the connecting element  1  during construction of the ski or into the construction of the ski. The desired and needed mobility of the ski is assured by using suitable materials and in cooperation with the connecting element  1 . 
   The following description shows how easily and very comfortably the inventive arrangement can be handled. 
   In order to mount the ski binding on the ski the two ski-binding parts, heel holder and front jaw, which are provided on the support plates  4 ,  5 , are coupled with one another through the connecting element  1 . First the mutual distance between the front jaw and the heel holder or the mutual distance between the two support plates  4 ,  5  is thereby adjusted corresponding to the length of the ski shoe to be used by operating the locking mechanisms. Thus the two ski-binding parts form together with the connecting element  1  a preassembled unit, which is now moved over its guiding bars  2 ,  3  onto the plates  17 ,  18 , which are already fastened on the ski. When the screw holes of the connecting element  1  and of the receiving element  13  are in alignment with one of the fastening holes  12   a  of the fastening part  12 , the fastening screw  15  is fixedly screwed to the fastening part  12  and the connecting element  1  is thus connected to the connecting plate  16 . The fastening screw  15  does thereby not create a connection to the ski. By choosing one of the three fastening holes  12   a  in the fastening part  12 , the relative position of the ski binding can be adjusted in longitudinal direction of the ski, whether slightly farther to the front or slightly farther to the back, in particular in dependency of the skiing ability of the user. 
   In order to adjust the distance between the two ski-binding parts to a ski shoe of a different length, the central fastening is released by unscrewing the fastening screw  15 , the unit of ski-binding parts and connecting element  1  is moved from the guide plate  14  and the mutual distance between the two ski-binding parts is changed in the already described manner. The unit of ski-binding parts and connecting element  1  is thereafter, as has already been described, again mounted on the ski. 
   The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  provides that during the insertion of the ski shoe into the binding mounted on the ski a thrust bearing pressure is guaranteed by the thrust springs  31  since the ski shoe during stepping in moves the heel holder together with the support plate  5 ′ slightly backward relative to the plate  18  fastened on the ski and against the force of the thrust springs  29 . The magnitude of the thrust bearing pressure can thereby be read on an indicator coupled to the spring path from outside using a suitable dial. If now after the mounting of the binding on the ski the check of the position of the ski-binding parts through insertion of the respective ski shoe results in a compression of the thrust springs  31 , which is too great or too small, then it is possible in a simple manner to carry out a suitable adjustment by releasing the locking of the locking detent to the locking part  25  by lifting the operating element  30   b , by adjusting the correct position by moving the heel holder together with the support plate  5 ′ relative to the ski-fixed plate  18 , and by again locking the adjusting detent  30  in the desired position. It is therefore not necessary for this readjustment to again remove or demount the unit of ski-binding parts and connecting element from the ski. 
   The inventive arrangement makes a bending of the ski, which is advantageous for a safe release of the ski binding when skiing through depressions and the like, possible and thus prevents an undesired stiffening of the ski in the area of the ski binding. 
   Not illustrated and described are diverse covering elements, which cover the plates  17 ,  18 , in particular in the area of the fastening holes  20 ,  21  and the receiving element in the central area of the connecting element  1 , and also stepping plates and the like, which can be coupled to the ski-binding parts.