Pivotable ski binding assembly comprising a braking system

A device adapted to be mounted on a ski comprising a first maintenance element, a pivotable plate adapted to pivot around an axis substantially perpendicular to the ski comprising a second maintenance element; and a braking assembly. The braking assembly comprises at least one braking element adapted to shift between active and inactive positions and at least one boot-sensitive element adapted to shift the braking element to the inactive position as the boot is mounted on the ski. The braking assembly may be arranged such that it is either stationary with respect to the pivotable plate or such that it pivots together with the pivotable plate. Stopping means for limiting rotation of the plate may also be provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a ski binding assembly for use with skis 
which is adapted to make it possible to maintain a ski boot mounted on a 
ski. The binding assembly further comprises a braking system which is 
preferably of the pivotable type. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Various pivotable ski bindings have been proposed in which one of the ends 
of the ski boot is maintained on the ski by a first maintenance element 
fixed on the ski which permits the ski boot to escape laterally when the 
boot is subjected to a torsional force while the other end of the ski boot 
is retained by a second maintenance element which permits vertical 
release. The second element is mounted on a pivotable plate on the ski 
which pivots around an axis substantially perpendicular to the ski. The 
pivotable plate moves together with the boot along the plane of the ski. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a ski binding which comprises 
first and second maintenance elements for maintaining the ski-boot mounted 
on the ski which operate in conjunction with a pivotable plate to permit 
release of the ski-boot when the boot is subjected to a torsional force. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device in which the 
pivotable plate is automatically returned to the position adapted to 
receive the ski boot without requiring any further manipulation by the 
user. 
These and other objects are fulfilled by means of the device of the 
invention which comprises a device adapted to be mounted on a ski. The 
device comprises a first maintenance element; a pivotable plate adapted to 
pivot around an axis substantially perpendicular to the ski the plate 
itself comprising a second maintenance element. The first maintenance 
element and the pivotable plate are each adapted to be mounted on a ski 
such that the first and second maintenance elements may serve to securely 
maintain the ends of a ski-boot mounted on the ski while laterally 
releasing the boot when the boot is subjected to a torsional force 
relative to the ski. A braking assembly is also provided which comprises 
at least one braking element adapted to shift between active and inactive 
positions. The braking element is normally biased to the active position. 
The assembly further comprises at least one boot-sensitive element adapted 
to shift the braking element to the inactive position as the boot is 
mounted on the ski. 
In a first embodiment of the invention the braking assembly is arranged 
such that it pivots together with the pivotable plate. 
According to the invention stopping means may be additionally be provided 
for limiting rotation of the plate. The stopping means is adapted to 
cooperate with an element when at least one of the braking elements is in 
the active position whereby the pivotable plate is realigned so as to 
permit insertion of the ski-boot between the first and second elements 
without manual manipulation of the pivotable plate. 
Yet a further aspect of the invention relates to a device adapted to be 
mounted on a ski which again comprises a first maintenance element and a 
pivotable plate which itself comprises a second maintenance element. A 
braking assembly mounted to pivot together with the pivotable plate is 
also provided. The assembly comprises at least one braking element adapted 
to shift between active and inactive positions and at least one 
boot-sensitive element adapted to shift the braking element to the 
inactive position. Stopping means directly mounted on the ski may also be 
provided so as to limit rotation of the plate. 
In yet another aspect of the invention, the device comprises a braking 
assembly which, instead of being mounted on the pivotable plate, is 
adapted to be directly mounted on the ski.

SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
According to the invention, pivotable bindings and the like are provided 
with a braking system for the ski which offers two main advantages. First, 
the braking system does not entail any manual manipulation during 
insertion of the boot such as, for example, the manual lifting of the 
brake to a position permitting skiing. Second, the system facilitates 
reinsertion of the boot particularly after a fall, while avoiding any risk 
of a false fitting of the boot in the binding which greatly increases the 
security for the skier. 
According to a first aspect of the invention, the braking assembly is 
mounted on the pivoting plate or on a portion integral with the plate so 
as to move together with the plate during movement of the plate and 
comprises at least one braking element adapted to shift between an 
inactive position wherein the brake is raised above the lower plane of the 
ski and an active position in which it projects beneath the ski, the 
braking element being elastically biased towards its active position; and 
a boot sensitive element which senses the presence of the boot and whose 
activation by insertion of the boot causes the braking element to be 
lifted to the inactive position. 
According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises stopping 
means for stopping the pivoting plate which, in the active position of the 
braking element, i.e., when the element protrudes under the ski, causes a 
portion integral with the pivoting plate during rotation to cooperate with 
a portion integral with the ski in a manner so as to maintain the plate in 
a position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ski, or 
in a centered position, which is the position corresponding to insertion 
of the boot between the first and second maintenance elements 
longitudinally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the ski. 
By following the above arrangements, one is assured that insertion of the 
boot will always be performed from a position which is convenient to the 
skier and that the skier will have to occupy himself neither with the 
rearrangement of the plate, and consequently the position of the braking 
assembly, nor with manipulation of the braking assembly itself. 
Naturally, when the boot has been inserted, neither the braking assembly 
nor the stopping means, nor the return means act to interfere with or 
prevent the free rotation of the pivotable plate which is necessary for 
reasons of security. 
Advantageously, the stopping means may be either distinct from the braking 
assembly or, on the contrary, comprise a portion of the braking assembly. 
Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 
device comprises means resulting in the automatic return of the pivotable 
plate to the centered (or aligned) position ready for insertion of the 
boot after the plate has been displaced with respect to its centered 
position. 
With reference to the annexed drawings, identical elements will be 
identified by the same reference numerals in each of the embodiments 
shown. 
The first embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference 
to FIGS. 1-5. As may be seen from the drawings, a ski 2 is illustrated and 
is provided with a first maintenance element B adapted to cooperate with 
the front end of a ski boot 5. This first maintenance element B is 
attached to the ski and serves as a shoulder or strap for the boot so as 
to prevent it from moving longtudinally along the ski while, nevertheless, 
permitting the boot to laterally escape particularly during the exertion 
of a torsional force on the boot relative to the ski. Furthermore, as 
shown by the figures, a pivotable plate assembly designated generally as 1 
is also mounted on the ski which comprises a second maintenance element 4 
for the opposite end of the boot, i.e., the heel in the example shown. 
It should be noted that the first and second maintenance elements for the 
boot, although illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, may 
nevertheless assume any appropriate form in which the second maintenance 
element vertically assures release and permits reinsertion of the boot. 
The pivoting plate assembly 1 comprises a fixed pivot 1a, immobilized on 
the ski by screws 1b, which constitues an axis of rotation, shown as 3 
perpendicular to the upper surface of the ski and situated substantially 
along the longitudinal axis Y-Y' of the ski surface. The rotatable plate 
1c is rotatably mounted on the pivot 1a. The rotatable plate comprises two 
ears or upstanding flanges 1d aligned along the X-X' axis substantially 
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y-Y' of the ski when the binding is 
in the insertion position shown in FIG. 2. 
Two lateral arms 6b and 7b are jointed at 6a and 7a on the flanges 1d. 
These two arms are united by a common shaft which comprises a pivoting 
body 4c of the second maintenance element 4 which has a known structure 
and which is adapted to rock or pivot around the shaft 4a to be brought 
into a position where it presses against the sole of the ski boot by 
virtue of its jaw 4b (see FIG. 3) or to open to the position shown in FIG. 
1. It will be noted immediately that the body 4c preferably comprises a 
pedal 8 making it possible to automatically reinsert the boot in the 
second maintenance element. Furthermore, on the interior of the body 4c is 
arranged a conventional locking system which needs not be described in any 
detail at this point, reference being made to French Pat. No. 2,258,876, 
filed Jan. 28, 1974, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, for 
further details. 
When the second maintenance element is in the position shown in FIG. 1, 
i.e., without a boot on the ski, it rests on the upper surface of the ski 
by means of a support 9 extending from the lateral arm 6b and 7b. 
The embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 ensures several functions, i.e., a maintenance 
function and a liberation function of the boot by virtue of the 
maintenance element 4; a braking function of the ski after the ski has 
been separated from the boot by virtue of a ski brake generally shown as 
10 which will be described in further detail, and the function of 
maintaining the pivotable plate in the centered position ready for 
insertion of the boot. 
As is seen more particularly in FIG. 2, the braking assembly 10 comprises 
two independent portions arranged symmetrically with respect to the 
longitudinal axis Y-Y' of the ski and situated in the zone where the heel 
of the boot is adapted to be fitted, i.e., in front of the maintenance 
element 4. 
Each of these portions of the brake comprises well-known structures which 
need not be described in further detail. It should be noted that for 
purposes of the invention equivalent structures may likewise be used. 
It need only be noted that each of these portions of the brake is 
constituted by a metallic spring wire which is bent and shaped in a 
fashion so as to assume an equilibrium position which is that shown in 
FIG. 1 towards which the wire tends to return on its own in the event that 
it is deformed elastically. 
The invention should not be considered as being limited to the braking 
assembly shown and may indeed comprise any other appropriate structure, 
particularly, the structures illustrated in French Application Nos. 
2,304,366; 2,278,364; and 2,299,052. It need only be stated that each of 
the portions of the brake comprises a braking element 12 laterally 
extending along the side of the ski connected to a bit or shaft 13 which 
extends substantially transverse to the Y-Y' axis of the ski. This shaft 
is itself connected by a length of wire in the form of a buckle 14 
arranged above the plate 1c, the buckle ending in a second shaft 15 
substantially parallel to the shaft 13. The buckles 14 act as deactivation 
elements sensitive to the presence of the boot. The shafts 13 and 15 are 
arranged in an assembly element 20 integral with the pivotable plate 1c. 
In FIGS. 1-3, the shaft 15 is mounted in a pivotable fashion in the hole 
22 of the element 20 while the shaft 13 is arranged in a slidable and 
jointed manner so as to be able to move in an elongated slit 23 of the 
element 20. By virtue of such an arrangement, the buckles 14 of the brake 
elements are normally lifted to the position shown in FIG. 1 which 
corresponds to an active braking position for the braking elements 12 
which project beneath the lower plane of the ski. It will be understood 
that during insertion of the boot on the ski, the sole of the boot will 
exert a pressure on the buckles 14 and press them against the rotatable 
plate 1c. This movement causes the elastic deformation of the buckles 14 
and the raising to an inactive position of the braking elements 12 for 
skiing. 
As shown in FIG. 3, when in the inactive ski position, the braking elements 
do not substantially disturb the rotation of the pivotable plate 1c around 
the axis 3 of the pivot 1a, particularly during a lateral release of the 
boot in the plane of the ski, because the braking elements are lifted 
above the upper surface of the ski. 
It will further be noted that it is advantageous to utilize the type of 
brake shown with which one is able to avoid any and all manipulations of 
the brakes when the boot is being inserted into the binding, the lifting 
of the braking elements occurring automatically by virtue of the simple 
pressure of the boot against the ski. 
Furthermore, in the situation where one utilizes independent brake elements 
as shown in FIGS. 1-5, one is assured that one of the two braking elements 
will automatically come to the braking position regardless of the angular 
position of the pivotable plate. Thus, as shown more particularly in FIG. 
5, after the liberation of the boot, the pivotable plate is biased with 
respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski and the portion of the brake 
situated on the right when looking at FIG. 5, comes to an active braking 
position while the other portion of the brake remains in an inactive 
position when the corresponding braking element is shouldered on the upper 
surface of the ski. It should be noted that when the pivotable plate 1 is 
in the position shown in FIG. 5, the snow cooperating with the brakage 
element 12 in the braking position will furnish a force on the brakage 
element 12 in the direction shown by arrow 26 which causes the plate to 
pivot to bring it back to the centered position ready for insertion of the 
boot, i.e., in the position which is shown in FIGS. 1-4. It will 
additionally be noted that in, the absence of a boot on the ski, because 
the braking elements 12 are directed towards the bottom of the ski, they 
assure by cooperation with the lateral corresponding edges 27 and 28 of 
the ski, a maintenance of the pivotable plate 1c in the centered position 
ready for insertion of the boot. In other words, this arrangement avoids 
the necessity of manually repositioning the plate prior to the insertion 
of the boot which is necessary with conventional systems which are not 
equipped with braking systems mounted on the pivoting plate. 
The embodiments of FIGS. 6-17 equally comprise a pivotable plate equipped 
with a second maintenance element for the boot which has been represented 
in FIGS. 6 and 7, but which is not shown in FIGS. 8-17 for purposes of 
simplicity. 
The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIGS. 1-5 essentially in that 
the braking assembly is constituted by two independent braking elements 
which are respectively designated in a general fashion by reference 
numerals 11 and 29, these two devices being identical to the braking 
portions 10 of FIGS. 1-5. However, instead of being arranged symmetrically 
with respect to the longitudinal axis Y-Y' of the ski, the elements are 
symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane passing through the axis 
X-X' of the pivoting plate 1c. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, they 
are arranged on the same side of the ski. As a result, these two portions 
of the brake 11 and 29 cooperate with the same lateral edge 28 of the ski 
so as to assure the maintenance in the centered position of the pivotable 
plate 1c. 
FIGS. 11 and 12 schematically illustrate a further embodiment of the 
invention in which the means for assuring the maintenance in the centered 
position of the pivotable plate are different from those of FIGS. 1-6. In 
this embodiment, it is a moveable element 31 associated with the brake of 
the ski and more particularly with the shaft 13 which can be moved in the 
oblong cutout 23 of the plate, which cooperates with a centering and 
locking element 32 integral with the ski. This element 32 comprises a 
V-shaped cutout as viewed from above along its surface facing the moveable 
element 31. It may be seen that when the brake is in the active braking 
position, the element 31 is blocked in the element 32 (see FIG. 11) and 
prevents any rotatable displacement of the plate 1. To summarize, as may 
be seen from FIG. 12, when the brake is in the inactive position for 
skiing, movement of the shaft 13 of the brake causes the displacement of 
the moveable element 31 which disengages from the V-shaped cutout of the 
element 32 and makes possible the free rotation of the plate 1. 
FIGS. 7-10 and 13-16 illustrate embodiments which, besides the function of 
maintaining the plate in the centered position, assure the supplemental 
function of the automatic return of the pivotable plate to the centered 
position for insertion of the boot when the boot is not in place on the 
ski and the pivotable plate 1 is located in a position angularly offset 
with respect to its position for insertion of the boot. 
In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 which is similar to that of FIGS. 1-5, an 
upstanding guiding element designated generally as 33 is attached to the 
ski. The guiding element comprises two upstanding lateral ramps, inclines 
or slopes 33a and 33b which slope from the central longitudinal axis of 
the ski towards each of the lateral edges of the ski. 
Furthermore, the two ramps or inclines 33a and 33b are separated by an 
upstanding stop or projection 34. The operation of the device illustrated 
in FIG. 7 is schematically shown in FIGS. 8-10. In FIG. 8, the braking 
elements 12 are in the active position, i.e., there is no boot in the ski. 
In this situation, as has been previously indicated, the pivotable plate 1 
is maintained centered on the ski by virtue of the cooperation of the 
braking elements 12 with the lateral edges of the ski 2. FIG. 9 
illustrates the brake when the boot is in the binding. As shown, the 
braking elements 12 are lifted above the ski and the element 33 does not 
interfere with the rotation of the pivotable plate 1 when rotated by an 
angular amount sufficient for a disengagement. When a disengagement or 
injection results, one of the braking elements 12 abuts (FIG. 10) against 
one of the slopes (33a in the example shown). Since after separation of 
the boot and the ski, the braking element 12 is elastically drawn 
downwardly, i.e., to its active braking position, it rests against the 
ramp 33a and the action the ramp on the element 12 is a force P 
perpendicular to the ramp which may be broken down into vertical and 
lateral component forces R and Q respectively. The lateral horizontal 
component Q acts to push the braking element outwardly, which will 
automatically bring the pivotable plate 1 to the centered position, i.e., 
to the position shown in FIG. 8. 
It will be seen that the stop 34 acts essentially to avoid any risk of the 
element 12 extending beyond the median plane of the ski. Thus it should be 
noted that this stop may be eliminated if such is desired. 
FIG. 14-16 schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment permitting 
the automatic repositioning of the pivotable plate 1. The braking assembly 
shown schematically in this embodiment is identical to that envisaged for 
the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. On each of the translationally moveable 
shafts or bits 13 of the two portions of the brake is mounted a moveable 
element 35-36 which cooperates with an element 37 integral with the ski 
and whose front portion has two ramps or slopes 38 and 39 converging 
towards the longitudinal axis of the ski and with which the moveable 
elements 35 and 36 cooperate. The mode of operation of this embodiment is 
similar to that of FIGS. 11 and 12. 
FIG. 13 represents an alternative embodiment in which the limiting of the 
rotation of the pivotable plate 1 occures by virtue of two projections 40 
and 41 provided on the plate 1 and which cooperate with a small 
corresonding bar 42 arranged along the longitudinal axis of the ski and 
integral therewith. This small bar acts as a shoulder for the projections 
40 and 41. In this embodiment, an alternative embodiment of the brake is 
illustrated in which the braking elements 43 and 44 depend on one another 
because they are both part of the same spring wire bent in a fashion to 
form shafts 46 and 47 which are substantially parallel and pivotable in 
the cutouts of the plate 1. These shafts 46 and 47 are connected to one 
another by an elastic buckle 45 which is deformable and which is arranged 
above the plane of the plate 1. 
FIG. 17 shows yet another embodiment in which a single braking element 140 
arranged laterally at the level of the pivoting axis 3 of the pivoting 
plate 1. This braking element is made of a metallic spring wire bent in a 
fashion so as to have two pivotable shafts in the plane of the plate and 
attached by a deformable buckle situated above the plane of the ski. 
A fixed element 142 is mounted on the ski. This element comprises a ramp 
141 which by virtue of its cooperation with the braking element 140, makes 
possible the automatic return of the plate 1 to the position in which the 
boot may be inserted after a lateral release. Furthermore, a projection 
143, also integral with the ski, acts as a stop for the shoulders 144 of 
the pivotable plate 1 so as to limit its angular rotation. 
The embodiments shown in FIG. 18-21 illustrate a situation wherein the 
maintainance of the plate is obtained by cooperation between an element 
carried by the plate (a portion of the second maintenance element) and an 
element carried by the ski (i.e., for example a portion of the braking 
assembly which in this case is mounted directly on the ski). 
On the ski 2 is pivotably mounted around the axis 3 of the plate 1 on which 
is mounted as in the preceeding examples, the second maintenance element 4 
by means of lateral arms 6b-7b joined at 6a-7a on the uprights 1d of the 
plate. A braking assembly generally designated as 50 is not carried by the 
plate as in the preceeding examples but is attached on the ski by virtue 
of a plate having a base 54 rendered integral with the ski by virtue of 
screw 53. The braking device can be of any appropriate type comprising 
braking elements or spades 52 and stirrup 51 situated above the ski and 
sensitive to the presence of the ski boot. The maneuvering of the of this 
stirrup 51 (acting as a pedal) causes the activation of the spades or 
protrusions 52 pivotably mounted with respect to the ski. In the example 
shown, the braking device comprises a u-shaped stirrup and is of the type 
described and shown in the French Pat. No. 2,234,910 filed June 29, 1973 
in the name of the present inventor, the disclosure of which is 
incorporated herewith, and need not be described in further detail. It 
need only be noted that the brake is jointed via the shafts 52a lodged in 
the plate 54 and that it is returned to the braking position shown in FIG. 
18-20 by a compression spring (not shown) which acts as shown in the 
previously mentioned French Patent. 
Naturally, one may use a braking device of the same types as those of the 
preceding examples as well as any other appropriate braking device. 
The centered position which corresponds to insertion of the ski boot is 
shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20. As shown, the brake is in the active braking 
position and the braking elements 52 project beneath the ski while the 
pedal 51 which is sensitive to the presence of the ski boot is lifted. It 
may also be seen that the pedal 51 is arranged between the two lateral 
arms 6b-7b of a maintenance element 4. There is thus cooperation between 
the pedal 51 with the lateral arms 6b-7b to constitute the stopping means 
of the pivotable plate which, in this case, is maintained in the centered 
position corresponding to insertion of the boot by abutment of the arms 
6b-7b against the stirrup pedal 51. 
FIG. 21 corresponds to a position in which the boot has been inserted. The 
brake is arranged in the inactive position for purposes of skiing and the 
pivotable plate is no longer stopped from turning by the pedal because the 
pedal 51 assumes its place under the boot in the space E (FIGS. 19 and 21) 
provided above the pivot 1a between the fixed plate 54 and the pivotable 
plate 1 without interfering with rotational movement of the pivotable 
plate. 
It should be noted that during release, by applying pressure on the pedal 
51 the pivotable plate is automatically recentered by virtue of 
cooperation between the pedal and the lateral arms. This cooperation 
results by virtue of the curved shape of the pedal which defines a 
cooperation slope or ramp with reference to the lateral arms. 
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the means 
specifically disclosed and that other means may also be used. Thus, it is 
possible to use maintenance elements 4 for the ski boot which are 
different than the type specifically disclosed. Furthermore, other types 
of brakes, with or without lateral retraction of the braking element(s). 
Furthermore, it should be noted that although the device of the invention 
has been described with reference to the ski on which it is mounted, it is 
the device itself as well as its use in combination with the ski or the 
ski and boot which each constitute the various inventive aspects of the 
invention. 
While the invention has been described with respect to particular 
embodiments and means, it should be understood that the invention is not 
limited to the means specifically disclosed and that all equivalent means 
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention as 
defined by the claims.