A PART OF A BINDING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a part of a binding system for skiing, comprising a housing (3; 8) with, on the inside, a fully or partially through-going axial barrel (13) with an inner diameter (14), wherein two pins (1) moveable in each direction with at least one intermediate spring element (2) are arranged, and wherein the pins (1) are adapted to slide in the barrel (13) between a protruding and a retracted position. According to an aspect of the invention, the part of the pins (1) that is exposed when the pins (1) are in the protruding position, has a reduced outer diameter (15) compared with the inner diameter (14) of the barrel (13). The invention also relates to a method for lubricating the pins (1) with a lubricant.

The present invention relates to a part of a binding system for skiing, more specifically a binding system for cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing or randonee as indicated in the preamble of claim1.

BACKGROUND

EP1845815A1, EP0551899B1 and EP2116286B1 show various aspects and embodiments of the cross-country and mountain ski bindings that are common today. These binding systems comprise a fixed, transverse pin arranged in or close to the tip of a skiing shoe, between two longitudinal sole elements. This pin can be disposed in a pin-accommodating, transverse track in a binding of a ski, some form of mechanically tilting, rotating or displaceable gripping or holding mechanism keeping the pin in place in said track. Furthermore, these conventional binding systems comprise various types of flexor elements, levers, angles and material properties that give the binding system increased ease of operation, skiing feeling, stiffness/softness, durability etc. Although this type of binding functions very well, it is clear that most of the potential for improvement has been taken out of the systems given the physical and dimensional limitations, e.g. the width and thickness of the pins.

EP2946818B1 shows a binding system comprising two protruding, transverse pins or pegs, which are spring-biased and can be snapped into a bracket or the like mounted on a ski, see particularlyFIGS.3to4c. Though EP2946818B1 primarily relates to a binding system intended for randonnee, there are aspects of the solution that can be beneficial for cross-country and backcountry skiing. The solution may i.a. give more torsion-stiff solutions, as the width of the attachment points is increased. Otherwise EP2946818B1 relates to solutions of compressing the pins when a ski boot is to be released from the bracket mounted on the ski. For instance, a solution is proposed comprising a button and bushing system, which is mounted in the holes in the bracket, into which the pins fit. The pins are indirectly pressed out of the holes by pushing the buttons.

Moreover, there are other examples of binding systems comprising protruding, spring-biased, displaceable pins, e.g. US899698A from 1998, DE3141425A from 1981 and CN1178371A from 1971, but these are intended for a releasable snowboard binding, alpine bindings or other applications.

None of the solutions mentioned above, in so far as they are relevant relative to the present invention, mentions how the moveable protruding pins can be arranged in practice, so that they function as intended over time.

The pins will be located on a ski shoe, where they will be stored and spring-biased in an completely or partially closed housing. The ski shoes are intended to be used under varying temperature and moisture conditions, ranging from strong cold to above-zero temperatures as well as anything from cold, dry air to slush and surface water. The shoes and the protruding pins will also be exposed to gravel, sand, asphalt as well as blows and scratches. Furthermore, it must be expected that the shoe will be unused for large parts of the year, e.g. in a booth, a cabin or stowed away in a cupboard. The housing, springs and pins will be exposed to condensation, large variations in temperature and mechanical wearing, which could quickly cause the pins to get stuck due to corrosion or mechanical scratches or wounds.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a binding system comprising transverse, protruding, displaceable pins that can withstand the use for which it is intended. It is also an object to provide such as system that is simple to manufacture, simple to maintain, simple in terms of replacement of parts, which will function after a long time without being in use, and/or which will function even though it is worn.

These and other objects can be achieved by means of a device as indicated in the characterizing part of claim1and a method according to claim18. Additional advantageous and/or alternative embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1aandbshow a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG.1ais an expanded figure comprising two pins1, at least one spring element2, a housing3, gaskets4and a lid5. The pins1have a base9with a larger diameter.FIG.1bshows the embodiment in the assembled state. The gaskets4are pulled onto the pins1before the pins1are guided down into a cavity7in the housing3and further through holes6in the tubes8. Subsequently, the spring element2is inserted between the pins1. Grease or another lubricant is filled into the cavity7before it is closed by means of the lid5. The cassette3can be moulded into or screwed into the front part of a shoe sole (not shown). The pins1protrude to each side and are compressed by means of a clamping force that overcomes the spring force to the spring2and the friction in the system. The clamping force can be generated by the cassette3and the pins1being guided down in to a complementary part of the binding system, e.g. a bow or bracket with pin-receiving holes, by the pins1being compressed with the hands or by means of a clamp or release mechanism in the binding system.

FIGS.2a-dshow an alternative embodiment of the invention. Instead of a cassette3, the embodiment comprises a tube element8. The pins1are pulled through the gaskets4and subsequently through bushings10. The outer diameter of the bushings10and the inner diameter of the tube element8as well as choice of material are so that a press fit arises. It is important that the inner dimension of the bushing10does not shrink, so that the pin1does not become wedged or drags. At the same time, the tube8may not crack. It is quite acceptable that the tube expands somewhat. In this embodiment, a small amount of grease is packed into the spring2and the tube8before the bushings10are pressed into the tube8. During use of the binding system, the grease will pass around the base9and to a certain extent lubricate the surfaces that are in contact between the outside of the pin1and the inside of the bushings10.

FIGS.3a-cshow a sequence, both in perspective and as a sectional view, of an assembly of the parts, the bushings10being gradually pressed into the tube8, forming a press fit.

The invention targets a problem that may arise during use: wearing, indents, corrosion etc. may cause the surface of the pin1to be become rough/scratched and may get stuck in the bushing10. According to the present invention, this is solved by giving the pin1varying diameters, more specifically by the diameter of the pin that is exposed when the pin1is in the extreme position (position in use) is smaller than an inner diameter of the bushing.FIG.4ashows the pin in the extreme position.FIG.4bshows the pin1in an inner, retracted position, where it can be seen that there is a clearance between the head end of the pin1and the inside of the bushing10.FIG.4cshows two possible configurations of such tapering head end. It should be understood that other configurations are also possible.FIG.4calso shows the differences in the radius14,15of the pin1. The part of the pin that has a reduced radius15is the part of the pin that constitutes the bearing surface, and it should be essentially straight. The head end outside the bearing surface with radius15can have different curvatures tapering in other ways, e.g. can be wholly or partially fustro-conical. The width of the bearing surface and the configuration of the head end can be of importance to the release from the binding. The release will typically take place by the pins1individually or synchronously being compressed into the housing/tube/bushing. During this compression, the slip between the radius15of the pin1and the inside of the bushing10leads to the bushing10being spared for unnecessary wear. The configuration of the head end can contribute to facilitating the release of the shoe from the binding on the ski, because the head end gives further clearance between the pin1and the holes/openings in the binding part on the ski. This may facilitate that the shoe is more easily disengaged from the holes/openings of the binding part on the ski.

FIGS.5a-cshow an alternative embodiment of the invention as well as a sequence, both in perspective and as a sectional view, of an assembly of the parts, the bushings10being gradually pressed into the tube8and forming a press fit. In this embodiment, the bushings are10grooved on the outside. When the bushings10are pressed into the tube8, the top of the grooves are «scraped» or deformed, so that the outer diameter is reduced. With this, a (more than) sufficient pressure against the tube is obtained without the inner diameter of the bushing10being reduced or a risk that the tube cracks. This embodiment allows the tolerance of the tube8to be looser, as the outer diameter of the bushings10can be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tube. One of the advantages of this is that the end product becomes cheaper, and that there is more flexibility and room for manoeuvre as regards the quality of the raw materials, change of sub-supplier, adjustments underway in the production etc.

FIGS.6a-cshow an embodiment of the invention, where it is sought to address the problem that the grease used for lubricating and to a certain extent sealing the slide face between the outside of the pin1and the inside of the bushing10over time could disappear or dry out. As mentioned above, grease can be added to the spring2before or during assembly, as tiny amounts of the grease will pass the base9and lubricate said slide faces. The sealing function is also important as ingress of moisture in the system is undesirable. With water encapsulated in the system, varying temperatures and time, rust/corrosion in the system will impair the function of the system. Once the parts have begun to corrode, it will not be easy to repair the parts. According to this embodiment, a pocket, groove(s) or bore11is arranged in the bushing10, the pocket, groove(s) or bore11forming a «grease storage. Thus, more grease will be stored, which will disperse across the pin over a long period of time. It will be possible to use the grease storage formed by the pocket, groove(s) or bore11instead of or in addition to grease that may be added to the spring2.

FIGS.7a-cshow an alternative solution for maintaining and extending the life of the binding system according to the invention. In the solutions shown in the previous figures, includingFIGS.6a-b, there is a grease storage, which will be depleted after some time. In addition to the regular consumption of grease to be expected in use, it is also a factor that ski boots for long periods are left unused in cupboards, attics or cabins. After a great deal of use, some mechanical wear of slide and contact faces and perhaps slight ingress of moisture/condensation, a relatively long storage period may cause things to get stuck or function less well. According to this embodiment of the invention, the pins1and the system can be configured, so that they also have a valve function for refilling grease. Then grease can either be refilled in the spring chamber or merely on the pin.FIG.7ashows how the pin1can be pressed sufficiently in for grease to be refilled in the grease storage11in the bushing10. In this embodiment, the pin1can be pushed accurately so far in that the tapered part and/or the rounded head end of the pin1forms a small clearance in the grease storage11in the bushing10. In such an embodiment, the clearance between the base9must be adequate enough for a lubricant to be pressed past the pin and fill the chamber in which the spring7is located.

FIG.7bshows two different possible locations of the gasket4on the pin1, wherein the alternative location of the gasket is so that, during normal use, it will not slide over or past the hole of the bushing10, forming the grease storage11. Thus, the grease will always be enclosed within the gasket4during normal use, but if the pin1is pressed sufficiently far in, so that the gasket4slides over or past the hole in the bushing10forming the grease storage11, then the grease storage can be 11 refilled, whereupon the part of the pin located on the inside of the gasket4will be lubricated when the pin1is let out for normal position in use. It is also possible to have more gaskets4, e.g. at the base9and further out on the pin1.

FIG.7cshows an embodiment without the grease storage11. The pin11is pushed so far in that the grease can be pressed past/around the pin1and possibly past the gasket4at the base9and into the spring chamber7. In this embodiment, it is also clear that the part of the pin1, which during ordinary use protrudes from the binding system, has a somewhat smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the bushing10, the clearance between the pin1and the bushing10facilitating the passage of the grease past/around the pin1when the pin1has been pushed sufficiently far in.

It appears from the embodiments indicated inFIGS.7a-cthat the system can function as a lubricating nipple for maintenance. A complementary grease gun or lubricator19can be provided as optional equipment can e.g. be made available in a shop or at a permanent or portable service point. The grease gun or lubricator19can comprise a clamp or coupling20that matches the binding system, as the pressure from the grease and the lubricator is sufficiently strong to push the pin1as far in as to get grease18into the system, where desired, or the lubricator19moreover comprises a mechanism that pushes in the pin1and simultaneously presses in the grease. The grease18may have varying viscosity, i.e. be easy-flowing like oil, a quite dry PTFE/TFE-based lubricant or viscous grease.

FIGS.9a-dshow use of a peg19. It is configured so that one of the pins1can easily be pressed far into the chamber7, so that the grease18located there is compressed and eventually comes past the base9of the pin1and thereby lubricates the pin1. Subsequently, this is repeated with the second pin1.

FIGS.10a-bshow how a lubricator20, here in the form of a sprayer, can be used for pressing new grease18into the chamber7and around the pins1. The lubricator19has a coupling or transition with a configuration that provides room for pressing grease18past the head of the pin1.

FIGS.8a-dshow another aspect of the invention, sequentially showing how the entire insides of the binding system can be pressed out for maintenance or replacement. The figures are shown in perspective and sectionalized.FIG.8ashows the system in a use condition. If you wish to open the entire system, e.g. to inspect the inside and/or replace parts, one of the pins1can be pushed in until the spring2is entirely compressed, referenceFIG.8b. By continuing to push the pin1and now also the compressed spring2, a substantial force can be applied to the opposite pin and bushing, keeping it in place. By applying sufficiently strong force, the opposite bushing will eventually be pressed out of the tube8, referenceFIGS.8candd. InFIG.8d, all insides are released except for one bushing10. This may then either just sit there, while the pins1, spring2and gaskets4are inspected and are possibly replaced by spare parts or being repaired, or it can be taken out, e.g. by pushing it out from the inside by means of a suitable tool. Inspection may uncover a ruined, broken or slack spring, worn-out gaskets, worn slide faces between the pin1and the inside of the bushing11, which could/should be replaced, possibly corrosion, stuck parts or the like that may be loosened, polished away, honed or released. Finally, the system can be reassembled in reverse order.