Ski binding with step-in frame

A ski binding provided with a step-in frame which may be firmly connected to the surface of the ski for downhill skiing, released and freely pivotable for level movement or provided with two elevated heel positions for uphill climbing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a ski binding provided with a step-in frame. A 
step-in frame is a simple and lightweight ski binding for a ski boot to be 
locked into position. The invention relates in particular to the locking 
means for such step-in frame. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
A step-in frame is usually constructed to be pivotable about a horizontal 
axis in the region of the toes, transversely to the longitudinal axis of 
the ski, to facilitate level or uphill movement of the skier, while it is 
also capable of being immovably secured to the ski during downhill 
movement. This is accomplished by the locking means. 
Swiss Patent No. 300634 to Gujer discloses a ski binding having a diagonal 
cable in combination with a step-in frame which is fastened to the top of 
the ski. During downhill skiing, a latch displaceable in a bearing block 
securely holds the step-in frame down on the ski. For gliding or uphill 
climbing, the latch is released so that the heel of the ski boot together 
with the step-in frame is raised up from the ski surface. This binding 
requires ski boots with flexible soles. For modern ski boots having rigid 
soles it is preferable to have the step-in frame releasably mounted on the 
ski by way of the sole plate so that it may be released to protect the 
skier from leg injury when usually adjustable torsional and tensile forces 
are excessive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for 
step-in ski bindings which has additional functions besides the two 
traditional primary functions of holding the step-in frame either in a 
fixedly secured position or in a released position on the ski and of being 
pivotable in the toe region. Especially in uphill skiing, energy may be 
saved when the heel of the boot is able to find a temporary initial 
support before engaging the ski surface. 
The object of the present invention is achieved by a locking means in 
combination with a step-in frame which is pivotally connected to the top 
surface of a ski or a sole plate and comprises a bearing block and a 
holding member. The characteristic features of the step-in frame including 
the locking means according to this invention are a bearing block which is 
U-shaped in cross section and a holding member or lever which is pivotally 
mounted about a first pivot axis provided on the leg of the U-shaped 
bearing block which faces the step-in frame. The locking lever is 
pivotally mounted with one end on the holding member by means of a second 
pivot axis. Pivotally mounted to the locking lever, approximately in the 
middle thereof, is a third lever by means of a third pivot axis having 
arranged thereon a roller and a spring clip for spreading the third lever 
and the locking lever apart. In the locked position, either the roller or 
the third lever is in close engagement with the other leg of the U-shaped 
bearing block. 
This particular mode of locking enables the step-in frame to assume five 
different operation positions, namely: 
1. The step-in frame is firmly connected to the ski. 
2. The step-in frame is released and is freely pivotable about pivot means 
in the toe region. 
3. The step-in frame is pivotable and capable of closely engaging the 
release plate or the surface of the ski during sliding. 
4. The step-in frame is pivotable and capable of engaging an intermediate 
level support. 
5. The step-in frame is pivotable and capable of engaging an elevated 
support means.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 5, S designates a ski boot which is attached to step-in 
frame T by means of two stirrups t.sub.1, t.sub.2 and lever t.sub.3. The 
step-in frame is pivotably mounted about pivot "a" on release plate A to 
which is also secured locking device B for step-in frame T. Release plate 
A itself is in close contact with the ski top surface D by means of 
releasable latching means C. 
FIG. 5 illustrates some of the pivotal positions of the step-in frame, as 
they occur during movement of the skier after the step-in frame has been 
released by the locking means. Position O indicates the hold position in 
which step-in frame T is maintained on the release plate A by the locking 
device. This is the position during downhill skiing. 
Position I shows the position of the locking device in which it constitutes 
a stop at an intermediate level. Position II shows the position of the 
locking device in which it forms a stop at a higher level. 
FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate how these various functions and positions may be 
realized by means of the three levers of the locking device according to 
the invention. 
FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate one position of the train of levers 10, 20, 30 in 
which lever 10 constitutes the holding member by which the step-in frame T 
is fixedly retained on the release plate A. After release of the hold 
position (FIG. 2) and return of the levers 10, 20, 30 to the position 
according to FIG. 1, the lever 10 forms the intermediate level of a stop 
for the step-in frame. The hold-down lever 10 is pivotable about the axis 
11 provided in the lower region of the U-shaped bearing block 40. In the 
illustrated position of lever 10, the projection 12 supports the rearward 
crossbar of the stirrup-shaped step-in frame T which is made of circular 
sectional material. The lever 10 is made of sheet metal bent into a U 
shape. 
In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, a second axis 13 is provided 
approximately vertically above the axis 11. To this axis 13 is pivotally 
attached the locking lever 20. The wider lever 20 is likewise made of 
sheet metal bent to a U-shaped cross section and is provided in 
approximately its middle section with an axis 21 for rotatably receiving a 
roller 22. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 21 is a narrower lever 30 made 
of U-shaped sheet metal. The width of the lever 20 is such that its jaws 
engage the lever 10 on each side, whereas lever 30 is so narrow that its 
jaws extend partway around the roller 22, leaving enough space for spring 
clip 50 (FIGS. 2, 4), the crossbar 51 of which is in abutting relationship 
with the inside of lever 20. The spring has two spiral components 52 
positioned on shaft 21 adjacent the jaws of the third lever 30. The spring 
clip 50 acts to increase the angle between the two levers 20 and 30. 
It will be understood that the "angle between the two levers" in this 
context is the angle which is formed by the upper portions, that is, the 
flat connecting piece between the flanges. 
The third lever 30 is also made of U-shaped sheet metal, like the other 
levers. However, unlike the other levers 10 and 20, the lever 30 is 
provided in its upper portion with two recesses or depressions 31 and 32, 
and in its middle portion with a holding means in the shape of a cam 33. 
In the locking position illustrated in FIG. 1, the shaft 13 is in a slight 
clamping engagement with the inner side of the forward leg, and the roller 
22 engages the inner side of the rearward leg of the bearing block 40. An 
upwardly directed force K.sub.1 emanating from step-in frame T is 
incapable of dislodging the levers from the position as illustrated, but 
merely enhances the pressure exerted by the roller 22 on the rearward leg 
of the bearing block 40. 
The locking position is easily released, however, if a force K.sub.2 is 
exerted upon the lever 30, for example, by the tip of a ski pole. The pole 
tip is inserted into the depression 32, whereby the underside of the 
depression 31 is urged against the top of the rearward leg of the bearing 
block 40, thus forming a pivot bearing for the lever 30. In this manner, 
the three lever train assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 2, so that 
the holding bar 33 is caused to contact behind the rearward leg of the 
bearing block 40 and the spring clip 50 increases the angle between the 
levers 20 and 30. 
In the position of FIG. 2, step-in frame T is released so that it is free 
to be pivoted about the axis "a" (FIG. 5) and be moved downward onto the 
sole plate A. 
If it is desired during climbing to make use of an intermediary level stop, 
the levers must first be returned to the position of FIG. 1, with the 
crosspiece of the step-in frame remaining free, however. This may be 
accomplished very easily. The outer side of the locking lever 20 is 
provided with bars 23. Again, exerting a force upon lever 20 with the tip 
of a ski pole in the direction indicated by K.sub.3 (FIG. 2) causes the 
lever system to return to the position of FIG. 1. 
If a steep uphill climb makes a still higher level stop desirable, the 
lever system is first put in the position as shown in FIG. 3. Again, to be 
able to do this with the tip of a ski pole, lever 30 is provided with hole 
34 between the two depressions 31 and 32. As shown in the position 
illustrated in FIG. 2, the pole tip is inserted into hole 34 so that the 
lever 30 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow R and, with the 
assistance of the spring 50, reaches the position according to FIG. 3. In 
this position, shaft 13 of lever 10 is in abutment with the inner side of 
the forward leg of bearing block 40 and lever 20 is supported by lever 10. 
Since the force exerted by the step-in frame T on lever 20 can occur only 
in the direction K.sub.4, the force of spring 50 is sufficient to retain 
the levers in the illustrated position. The force exerted in the direction 
K.sub.4 merely increases the bearing loads of lever 20 on lever 10 and of 
shaft 13 on bearing block 40. 
Again, with the assistance of a pole tip inserted into one of lateral bars 
23, the lever system is subjected to a force in the direction K.sub.5 and 
is caused to be returned to the position of FIG. 2 or, by maintaining the 
force, to the position of FIG. 1. Depending on the position the step-in 
frame was in when the locking device was actuated, the step-in frame will 
either be fixedly connected to the sole plate or it will be supported by 
the intermediate stop means. 
FIGS. 6-9 illustrate another embodiment of the locking device described in 
the foregoing. The component parts which correspond to the parts in FIGS. 
1-4 and have the same function are designated with the same reference 
numerals. The parts which differ from those in FIGS. 1-4 are the lever 300 
which is elastic in the longitudinal direction, the oblong bearing block 
400, and the spring clip 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 300 
is in the form of a ring made of spring steel so that it has longitudinal 
elasticity in the direction vertical to the pivot axis 21. The ends of the 
lever 300 simultaneously constitute the pivot axis 21. The elastic 
construction of the lever 300 has the advantage that the step-in frame is 
enabled to be released from the locking action when the force K.sub.10 of 
FIG. 6 exceeds a certain value. This may be the case in a forward fall of 
the skier. In this event, the step-in frame causes the lever 10 
constituting the hold-down member to pivot clockwise about its axis 11, 
whereby lever 20 is displaced toward the right and the longitudinal 
dimension of the lever 300 is shortened. In consequence thereof, roller 22 
is caused to roll from the supporting surface 410 onto the rising incline 
420. The pivot joints 13, 22, 301, being aligned along a straight line are 
urged out of their dead center position, the levers arrive at the position 
shown in FIG. 7 and the release of the step-in frame T from the locking 
action is completed. 
The relative position of the three levers 10, 20 and 300 shown in FIG. 6 
correspond to the position shown in FIG. 1. The step-in frame may also be 
released manually from its locked position by slightly raising the lever 
20. 
When the step-in frame is in a released position and the levers are 
returned to the position of FIG. 6, lever 10 then forms an intermediate 
stop for gliding movement. Cam 430 is provided to retain the levers in the 
position as illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein spring clip 500 urges lever 20 
onto lever 10. Lever 300 is in a relaxed condition. However, a slight 
lifting of the lever 300 will cause levers 10, 20, 300 to assume the 
position illustrated in FIG. 8 which corresponds to the relative position 
of the levers according to FIG. 3. This means that the two levers 10 and 
20 together form a higher level stop for the step-in frame, as it may be 
desired for a steep uphill climb. 
The locking device for a step-in frame is so constructed that it will not 
only selectively retain the step-in frame (T) firmly on the ski or release 
it, but in addition is adjustable to form stop means at two optional 
levels of elevation. The locking device includes a train of three levers 
pivotally attached to a bearing block. In a first relative position (O) of 
the three lever train, the step-in frame (T) is firmly connected to the 
top surface of the ski for downhill skiing, or the lever train forms a 
first supporting position (I) for the step-in frame during uphill 
climbing. In a second relative position of the levers, the step-in frame 
is released. In a third relative position, the levers form a higher level 
supporting position (II) for a steep uphill climb. 
Thus, five different operational positions are available: 
1. Step-in frame is firmly connected to the surface of the ski for downhill 
skiing. 
2. Step-in frame is released and freely pivotable about a pivot axis "a" 
for level gliding. 
3. Step-in frame is released, as before, with stop at release plate (A). 
4. Step-in frame is released, as before with intermediate stop (I). 
5. Step-in frame is released, as before, with stop at a higher level (II). 
(FIG. 5) 
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in 
relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have 
been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those 
skilled in that art that the invention is susceptible to additional 
embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied 
considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.