Self-locking binding for telemark ski, touring ski or cross-country ski

A binding for a touring ski, a Telemark ski or a cross-country ski having “step in” automatic locking. The binding includes a front retaining element to cooperate with the front sole of a boot, a rear retaining element to cooperate with the rear part of the front sole and/or the rear sole of the boot, a tensioning element to tension the boot on the binding and to enable the heel to be freely lifted, a tensioning link placed under and connected to a rear retaining stirrup, and a fixed or retraction stop to cooperate with the tensioning link so as to enable the rear retaining stirrup to move back, tensioning the tensioning element, when the heel of the boot exerts a downwardly directed pressure on the rear retaining boot situated in an idle position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/FR2015/050171 (filed on Jan. 26, 2015), under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which claims priority to French Patent Application Nos. 14/00165 (filed on Jan. 24, 2014) and 1453499 (filed on Apr. 17, 2014), which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a binding for a touring ski, a Telemark ski or a cross-country ski with so-called “step in” automatic locking.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, bindings for touring skis, Telemark skis or cross-country skis require release manipulation in order to open the binding or preparation manipulation to enable the boot to be fitted. Apart from the opening of the binding, it is practically always necessary to effect manual action directly by hand or by means of a ski pole for locking the boot on the ski.

In Telemark, the most usual equipment is bindings in accordance with the “75 mm standard”, such as for example the bindings described in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,802 (Black Diamond Equipment). This type of binding is characterized by a fixed front clamp that holds the so-called “ducks beak” shape situated at the front of the boot and a cable tension system equipped with a spring locking on the heel of the boot. This boot standard makes it tricky to walk on rocks when climbing, does not allow the use of standard glacier crampons and limits the use of this type of boot solely to the Telemark ski. In addition, fitting the boots in the bindings is always very tricky. The skier is often obliged to place a knee on the ground in order to lock the ski and to be able to lock the tension system on the heel of the boot. These operations are made more difficult when snow is present, since the skis, being rarely equipped with a ski stop, easily slip, sometimes making the locking operation tedious. Finally, ejection of the ski in the event of a fall is practically impossible, and the use of these bindings therefore has a high risk of injury for skiers.

In the middle of the years 2000, a group of manufacturers defined a new standard, referred to as “New Telemark Norm” or NTN, which established a novel ski/boot interface standard. The novel boots defined by the standard can be used with a Telemark or alpine ski, and can receive normal glacier crampons. The sole of the boot is divided into two parts: the front sole, specific to the NTN standard, and the heel, which is conventional and separate from the front sole. The specificity of the front sole stems from the projection that is situated at the arch at the middle of the boot, at the rear end of the front sole. Thus the boot can be secured to the ski while being held between the front part of the front sole and the projection. This standard made it possible to create bindings that combine the freedom of movement of the heel particular to the Telemark and include a safety device releasing the ski in the event of the skier falling. Responding to several problems with the 75 mm standard, these bindings can also include ski stops and afford additional safety for skiers.

The Telemark bindings as described in the document EP 1 790 396 (Rottefella) are binding models complying with the NTN standard. These bindings do however require manual release, tricky fitting of the boot and action for locking the latter by hand, with the free hand or using a ski pole. These bindings are also characterized by a weight greater than the average of the bindings available on the market.

In parallel to the development of these bindings, boot manufacturers have included, in certain models in their range, front and rear interfaces particular to bindings of the Dynafit® type. These interfaces of the Dynafit® type are characterized by the presence of two hollow conical inserts situated on the front tip of the sole and an insert plate on the heel. NTN Telemark boots equipped with these interfaces enable the skier to use them either on skies equipped with an NTN Telemark binding or on skis equipped with tourist bindings to the Dynafit® standard. Users greatly appreciate the versatility of this type of new generation of boot. The invention described in the present patent application uses this model of boot.

Starting on the basis of this concept of boot to the NTN standard and equipped with a Dynafit® interface, a binding model has appeared, associating the front part of the Dynafit® binding and the locking tension system on the heel of the boot particular to Telemark fixings to the “75 mm standard”. This system ensures the holding of the front of the boot by means of the clamps (forks) of the Dynafit® binding, while the tensioning of the boot is provided by the conventional heel block system held by the cable/spring assembly of the Telemark bindings to the “75 mm standard”. This system makes it possible to obtain a functional and effective assembly in Telemark mode, with a reasonable weight and effective in tourist skiing, but does however require manual locking of the boot and limits the safety of the skier because of difficulty in ejecting the skis.

Finally, through U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0047912, a ski binding is known, the “step in” function of which is provided by two levers, one of which is articulated on the base of the binding and the other one of which can slide, by means of its free end, in a slot in this base. The boot locking zone is moreover secured to the sliding lever with respect to translation. When the user presses downwards on the locking zone, the latter drives the lever sliding forwards, so that this locking zone tends to advance with respect to the boot, which performs the fixing operation proper.

The problem addressed by the present invention is to allow both automatic locking of the boot in the binding, the use of the binding in tourist mode without detachment of the skis, easy ski detachment actuated by the skier and automatic ski detachment in the case of a fall, while using a binding with a total weight that is as low as possible.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, the problem is solved by a ski binding, in particular a binding for a touring, Telemark and/or cross-country ski, for fixing a ski boot comprising a front sole and a heel, said ski binding comprising:

a front retaining element, able to cooperate with the front sole of the boot,

a rear retaining element able to cooperate with a projection on the rear part of the front sole and/or with the rear sole of the boot, said rear retaining element being able to pivot, while raising or lowering its rear part, in the vertical plane about a horizontal axis (which may be a physical or virtual axis) orthogonal to the direction of the ski between a so-called upper position (or “idle position”) and a so-called lower position (or “engaged position”),

a tensioning element that acts between the rear retaining element and the ski and/or the front retaining element, able to tension the boot on the binding and to enable the heel to be freely lifted,

said binding being characterized in that it also comprises:

a tensioning link placed under the rear retaining stirrup and connected to the latter, so as to enable said rear retaining stirrup to pivot in the vertical plane about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the direction of the ski,

a fixed stop (also referred to as the “retraction stop”) placed on the ski or the front retaining element, able to cooperate with the tensioning link, so as to enable the rear retaining stirrup to move back, tensioning said tensioning element, when the heel of the boot exerts a downwardly directed pressure on the rear retaining boot situated in the idle position.

The front retaining element is advantageously a binding system of the Dynafit® type, with a double locking lug on the boot. The front retaining element comprises a control element, such as a latch, that can be actuated by the user, which transmits this movement to the clamps by means of a front link.

The retraction stop cooperates with the tensioning link and, when the boot is engaged in the rear retaining element, converts the vertical force exerted by the heel of the boot on the rear retaining element into a horizontal movement in the rear direction of said rear retaining element, which allows the engagement of said rear retaining element (preferably by means of a rear attachment clamp) either on the rear projection of the front sole or on the heel.

According to one embodiment of this binding, the rear part of said rear retaining stirrup or of said tensioning element is connected to the rear part of said tensioning link. The tensioning link enables the retaining stirrup to pivot between a high position and a low position.

The rear retaining stirrup may be connected to the front retaining element by a flexible connecting element. The latter may, in its rear part, have a guide that slides in the slide of the rear retaining element.

According to another embodiment, which may be combined with the previous one, said tensioning link, when the rear retaining element is engaged, abuts with its front end against said fixed stop.

According to another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, when the rear retaining stirrup is released from the retraction tension and when the projection of the rear part of the front sole or the heel of the boot is inserted in the rear retaining stirrup, the projection of the rear part of the front sole or the heel of the boot bears on a tongue of the link, and locks said link in the retracted position.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the rear retaining element is designed so that, when the boot is fitted in the rear retaining element, after locking of the front retaining element on the front part of the front sole, when the user lowers the heel, the rear sole bears on the rear retaining stirrup or an element associated with the rear retaining stirrup, and imposes a retraction of the rear retaining stirrup under the effect of the link, itself in abutment on the fixed retraction stop, so that this retraction of the rear retaining stirrup enables the projection or heel of the boot to be inserted in the rear retaining stirrup.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the rear retaining element also comprises a retraction protrusion placed behind the fixed stop or integrated in the tensioning link, able to release the tensioning link from its abutment on the fixed stop when the projection or the heel of the boot is inserted in the rear retaining stirrup.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, said tensioning element comprises two elastic return members (typically springs) disposed on either side of the rear retaining element, and preferably inside the rear retaining stirrup, and at least one knurled ring for adjusting the preloading of the tensioning element, and said tensioning element preferably comprising in addition a set of rods and cables that cooperate with said springs for tensioning the retaining stirrup. Said rods may be disposed inside said springs, typically parallel to the direction of the binding (i.e. parallel to the ski). The cables may be replaced by an arch.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the binding comprises a control element (typically a latch) that can be actuated by the user, said control element (latch) making it possible to keep the rear retaining stirrup sufficiently retracted to prevent the projection or heel from being hooked by the rear retaining stirrup, either by acting directly on the rear retaining stirrup or by acting directly on the tensioning link. This is suitable for practicing cross-country skiing or tourist skiing.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, said rear retaining stirrup comprises two lateral stops, disposed on either side of its rear part, so as to center the rear projection of the front sole of the boot on said rear retaining stirrup, said lateral stops preferably being disposed so as to be able each to pivot about a vertical axis under the effect of a torque generated by a lateral movement of the boot when the ski is removed.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the tensioning link is connected to the tensioning element or to the rear retaining stirrup by means of a spindle that is situated in the plane of said tensioning element, enabling the rear retaining stirrup to slide parallel to the plane of said tensioning element.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the front retaining element comprises three components, namely a specific element (latch), a slide and a pivoting element; the slide can move in the front-to-rear direction in order to release or lock said pivoting element. When the binding is in Telemark mode, the user can pivot the element forwards, and a protuberance on said element bears on said slide and slides it towards the rear, releasing said pivoting element to enable the skier to easily lift the boot in order to practice tourist skiing. The user can thus switch into “tourist skiing” mode without removing the skis.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the tensioning link bears in service on the retraction stop at a bearing point that is situated in front of the connection point between this link and the retaining stirrup, in side view and with reference to the direction of movement of the ski.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the tensioning link is mounted so as to be able to pivot on the rear retaining stirrup about an axis orthogonal to the direction of the ski. The tensioning link can in particular bear in service on the retraction stop at a point that is situated in front of said pivot axis of this link, in side view and with reference to the direction of movement of the ski.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the rear retaining element comprises a front part that is free to pivot with respect to the front retaining element, about a transverse axis, while being translationally connected with respect to this retaining element, the rear retaining stirrup having a degree of freedom in translation with respect to the front part, along the longitudinal axis of the ski.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the rear retaining element is provided with removable fixing means, for the removable fixing of blades, said blades being able to pivot with respect to the rear retaining element about a transverse axis. In particular, the removable fixing means may comprise a fixing member delimiting a housing, suitable for receiving by sliding a pivoting rod, secured to said blades.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the binding comprises a heel block and a heel block support, this heel block being mounted so as to be able to move with respect to the support between an access position in which it allows access to a housing of the support, this housing being able to receive a sensor, and a covering position in which it prevents access to this housing while protecting this sensor.

According to yet another embodiment, which may be combined with one or more of the previous ones, the binding comprises a control element allowing control of the front retaining element as well as a member for locking this control element, this locking member being able to move between a neutral position in which it does not interfere with the movement of the control element and a locking position in which it prevents the movement of the control element in order to prevent any unwanted disengagement of the boot with respect to the front retaining element. The locking member may in particular extend through a recess in the control element and this locking member then has a locking zone able to come into abutment against the walls of this recess, in said locking position.

DESCRIPTION

In this description the expressions “front”, “rear”, “in front of”, “behind”, “advances” and “retracts” refers to the direction of the ski in the normal situation of use.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the binding1according to the invention comprises a front retaining element2, a rear retaining element3and a heel block4. These three elements are fixed to the ski, typically by fixing screws17, directly or by means of a fixing plate.

The main function of the heel block4(visible in particular inFIG. 9) is to allow the positioning of the heel of the boot on a support surface41at a given height; the heel block is fixed to the ski by means of a support40; it may comprise in a known manner a chock43(referred to as the “top chock”).

The front retaining element2is known as such; it may advantageously be a known front retaining element of the so-called “Dynafit®” binding comprising two conical lugs20a,20bthat each cooperate with a hollow conical insert23situated on the right and left side of the front part of the front sole11of the boot5. The front retaining element2in the “open” (disengaged) position is actuated by the forward movement of the tip of the front sole of the boot5, by means of the front link21, as will be described below. The lugs20a,20bare each mounted on a clamp24, which is actuated by the front link21; in the engagement position of the front retaining element2, these clamps24move the lugs20a,20blaterally closer to the front part14of the front sole11, so as to enable the lugs20a,20bto be inserted in said hollow inserts23. Thus the front retaining element2makes it possible to hold the boot5in a position which, when the rear sole13of the boot5is not retained in a low position and can be raised, allows easy tilting of the front part14of the front sole11about a horizontal axis, orthogonal to the long direction of the ski; this axis passes through the lugs9a,9b.

Any other type of front retaining element2that allows easy tilting of the front part14of the front sole11about the horizontal axis, orthogonal to the long direction of the ski, can be used in the context of the present invention. Preferably, this front retaining element2is designed so as to allow disengagement of the front part14of the front sole11of the boot5, by a control element (typically a latch)26actuated by the skier by hand or with pressure from the tip of the pole. In the example of the front retaining element of the Dynafit® type, in order to disengage the boot from the front retaining element2, the front retaining element2can be actuated by a control element (here a latch)26that actuates a front link21; said control element (latch)26can be actuated by the skier by hand or by exerting a substantially vertical pressure with the tip of his pole; in order to easily accept this tip of the pole, the latch26may have a hollow zone22. This actuation, manual or with the pole, causes the opening of the front retaining element2, which releases the front sole11of the boot5.

It is on the retaining element3that the present invention is based. It first of all comprises a front part3A, which is free to pivot with respect to the front retaining element2, about a transverse axis, while being translationally connected with respect to it. The rear retaining element3moreover comprises a rear retaining stirrup7, having a degree of the freedom in translation with respect to the front part3A, along the longitudinal axis of the ski. This translation movement, from rear to front, takes place counter to a tensioning element described below. This rear retaining stirrup7is connected to a link6referred to as the tensioning link, namely this link can pivot with respect to this stirrup about a transverse axis A6. In addition, said rear retaining stirrup7is, in its rear part, secured to the rear attachment clamp8able to attach to the rear projection46of the front sole11. The rear retaining element3moreover comprises a tensioning element35mentioned above, which typically comprises at least one spring31(or other elastic return member) and one or more transmission elements, for example a system comprises rods32and at least one cable33(visible inFIG. 3).

The rear retaining stirrup7can tilt between a high position referred to as the “idle position”, illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, and a low position referred to as the “locked position” illustrated inFIG. 9. This tilting is guided by a link6referred to as the “tensioning link” positioned on the rear retaining stirrup7. The rear part of the rear retaining stirrup7is movably connected to the rear end of the tensioning link6. The front end74of the tensioning link6can be engaged in a fixed stop16, fixed to the ski. When the skier lowers the heel12of his boot5, this downward vertical movement engages the front end74of the tensioning link6in the stop16and causes the retraction of the rear retaining stirrup7. This retraction movement tensions the tensioning element35; it allows the engagement of the rear projection46of the front sole11by the rear attachment clamp8of the rear retaining stirrup7.

In addition to the front retaining element2and the rear retaining element3,FIG. 3shows the various components that form the tensioning element35: the rods35and the cable33, as will be explained below.

The tensioning link6can be equipped with an elastic return member (typically a spring)18that presses it downwards.

We now give a precise description of the functioning of the binding1according to the invention, and in particular its rear retaining element3, referring in particular toFIGS. 6 to 9.

In the idle position of the binding1, the front retaining element1is in the open position (for example, in a front retaining element1of the Dynafit® type, the flanges24are open), and the tensioning link6and the rear retaining stirrup7are in the high position (raised position): the idle position is the position in which the binding1is ready to have the boot inserted.FIG. 6shows more particularly the idle position for the rear retaining element3according to the invention.

When the user has engaged the front retaining element2(that is to say, in the example of the Dynafit® retaining element described above: locks the front clamps24by means of the lugs20a,20b, which cooperate with the hollow inserts23of the boot5), he merely needs to lower his heel12in order to lock the boot5in the rear retaining element3according to the invention. When the skier lowers the heel12of his boot5, the rear sole13of the boot5bears on an interface piece (not shown in the Figures) or directly on the rear retaining stirrup7and in fact forces the tensioning link6to bear on the fixed stop (also referred to as the retraction stop)16(seeFIG. 7). The link bears on this fixed stop, at a point that is situated in front of the pivot axis A6of this link6, in side view and with reference to the direction of movement of the ski.

Under the vertical force imposed by the boot, the link6, in abutment on the retraction stop16, exerts a horizontal force on the rear retaining stirrup7directed towards the rear. This imposes a retraction movement on this stirrup with respect to the front part3aof the rear retaining element3. This retraction movement of the rear retaining stirrup7takes place counter to the tensioning element35of the rear retaining element3, namely this tensioning element is actuated. (This advance and retraction movement of the rear retaining stirrup7can be noted inFIGS. 6 to 10by the extent of the space represented by the arrow E). More precisely, this retraction movement tensions the internal springs31of the binding. The retraction movement of the rear retaining stirrup7continues until the projection46of the rear part of the front sole is inserted in the rear attachment clamp8(FIG. 8).

When the rear retaining stirrup7arrives in the retracted position, enabling the boot5to be inserted (in an advantageous embodiment of the rear retaining element3this will enable the projection46to be engaged by the rear attachment clamp8), a suitable protuberance of the protrusion10type situated on the ski or an element76of the binding, such as for example on the retraction stop16, retracts the tensioning link6by exerting an upwardly directed force on the front part of the tensioning link6. This retraction of the link6, which typically takes place about a horizontal axis19, releases the retaining stirrup7from the retraction tension. The retaining stirrup7, under the effect of the tension of the tensioning element35, returns to the idle position and tensions the boot5. In this situation the boot5is locked on the ski binding1, and the skier can devote himself to Telemark skiing, knowing that the rear sole13of the boot5remains fixed in the rear retaining stirrup7and can be lifted by tilting it upwards; this movement will be more effective with a Telemark ski boot, the shell of which, in particular on the front part, is sufficient flexible.

In one embodiment, the fixed stop16is fixed to the ski. In another embodiment it is secured to the front retaining element2.

In order to release the skis, the skier will simply have to release the part of the front sole11of the boot5held by the front retaining element2, typically by exerting a vertical pressure with his pole on the latch26. In the case of the front retaining element2of the Dynafit® type described above, when the skier actuates the control element26(in the example, when the skier presses on the latch26), the clamps24separate on either side of the front sole11, thus releasing the front part14of the front sole11by disengaging the lugs20a,20b, releasing the front tip of the boot. Since the boot5is no longer held, the skier merely needs to move his boot forward slightly in order to disengage the heel or the projection46and to remove his boot5from the binding1.

When the projection46of the front part15of the front sole11is inserted in the rear clamp, it bears on the tongue36of the link6and locks it in the retracted position.

In an embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 9, a retraction protrusion10is provided on the tensioning link6, which reinforces the tension of the tensioning element35of the rear retaining element3.

According to a particular embodiment, the tension springs31of the tensioning element35are integrated in the rear retaining stirrup7.

In one embodiment, the rear retaining element3is able to pivot, by raising or lowering its rear part, in the vertical plane about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the direction of the ski between a top position and a bottom position. This axis may be a physical axis and/or a virtual axis. A virtual axis may be represented by a flexible material, in this case a flexible connection element30formed on its front part3A. A flexible connection element may have, during functioning thereof, a generalized and/or localized deformation, for example by means of one or more grooves75(seeFIGS. 3 and 4), and/or may be fixed at its front end by a spindle37.

In an embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the dimensions of the flexible connection element30are chosen so as to guarantee that the rear retaining stirrup7is in a position such that the tensioning link6is placed downstream of the fixed stop16.

In an embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, the ski binding1according to the invention comprises a control element45able to be actuated by the user, said control element45making it possible to impose on the rear retaining stirrup3a position that is sufficiently retracted to prevent the projection46or the heel12from being hooked by the rear retaining stirrup7, either by acting directly on the rear retaining stirrup7or by acting directly on the tensioning link6. Said control element45may be a latch.

This makes it possible to pivot the rear sole13of the boot5freely upwards; the boot5being held solely by the front retaining element2. This pivoting movement is represented by the double arrow inFIG. 10. This position is suitable for practicing cross-country skiing or touring skiing.

The control element or latch45may advantageously be disposed between the rear retaining element5and the heel block4.

As mentioned above and illustrated inFIG. 11, the retraction protrusion10, which is optional, may be situated either on the ski or on the base76that comprises the retraction stop16, as shown inFIG. 11a(as well as inFIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9), or it may be integrated in the tensioning link6, as illustrated inFIG. 11b. In the latter case it may be a protuberance directed downwards that cooperates with the surface of the base76, or any other equivalent system.

FIGS. 12 to 14 and 16illustrate five variants of the invention that can be implemented separately or, as in the embodiment shown inFIG. 12, together:

In a first variant, the flexible connecting element30includes a guide29that slides in the slide of the rear retaining stirrup7. The guide29stiffens the lateral holding: it can be produced from plastics material. In particular, this variant has the advantage of providing better lateral stability of the boot5when the ski is removed, when the front part of the boot is no longer held by the front retaining element2.

In a second variant, the functioning of which is illustrated inFIG. 14, in the tensioning element35the cables are replaced by an arch77; this makes it possible to control the point of inflection of the boot.

In a third variant illustrated inFIG. 16, in the front retaining element2, the clamps24a,24bhave a support surface78a,78bfor the front part15of the front sole11.

In a fourth variant, the function of which is illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the cooperation between three components of the front retaining element2, namely the “touring mode” control latch49, the slide47and the touring pivot assembly50enables the user to switch from “touring skiing” mode (FIG. 13) to the “Telemark” mode (FIG. 14) and vice versa without removing the skis. This fourth variant represents an innovative modification of the front retaining element2; it offers a novel functionality that will be explained below in relation toFIG. 16.

The touring-mode control latch49is dissociated from the front link21′ but still provides the function of locking the front link21′ for touring mode but now it makes it possible to slide the slide47from front to rear in order to release or lock the touring pivot assembly50.

The touring pivot assembly50that was locked by the touring slide47can now pivot about two axes (82), seeFIG. 16f. When the binding is in Telemark mode, the user can pivot the element49forwards, a protuberance on the part bears on the slide47and slides it towards the rear, actually releasing the touring pivot assembly50. This released assembly enables the skier to easily lift the boot in order to practice touring skiing as described inFIG. 13. The user (the skier) can thus switch into “touring skiing” mode without removing the skis.

Moreover, it is noted that, inFIG. 12, the plate27was produced in two pieces27,27a. In this sub-variant, the main body27is placed on a chock (for example made from plastics material)27athat integrates guides in the middle part in order to hold the slide47during sliding. This sub-variant limits the machining cost.

It should be noted that the embodiment inFIG. 12does not show the presence of the retraction protrusion10but ithe latter may be added.

In a fifth variant, the front link (here denoted21′) and its latch (here denoted26′) are secured together.

FIG. 15illustrates in another way the embodiment inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 15ashows the binding in the open position, awaiting the boot. The clamps24a,24bare open and the front link21is in the top position.

FIG. 15bshows the binding in the “boot in forward engagement” position; this is the Telemark position. The front link21has tilted downwards; the latch26has followed the tilting of the front link21(these two parts being connected by a pivot and a position-locking system) caused by the engagement of tip of the boot.

FIG. 15cshows the binding in the “touring” position. The latch26had been tilted by the skier by hand (typically by a pressure of the tip of the pole on a hollow zone22of the latch26) and bears on at least one support protuberance48(here: two support protuberances48a,48b. The binding is locked and the skier can no longer remove the skis in this position).

FIG. 16illustrates in a different way the embodiment inFIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

FIG. 16ashows the front retaining element2of the binding in the open position, awaiting the boot. This Figure includes the embodiment in which the front link21′ and its latch26′ are secured together (referred to in the following description as “part21′+26”).

FIG. 16bshows the binding in the “Telemark” position. The part21′+26′ has tilted downwards with the support surfaces78a,78bof the clamps24a,24b. The part49has not moved; it is independent of the part21′+26′. In this configuration of the binding the skier can remove the skis.

FIG. 16cshows the binding in the “touring” position. The part49has been tilted by the skier, typically by vertical downward pressure exerted by the tip of his pole. The binding is locked and the skier can no longer remove the skis.

FIG. 16dshows in more detail the movement of the part49and of the slide49: the lowering of the part49causes the retraction of the slide47in the direction of the arrow. A support surface80of the front link26′ locks the part21′−26′. When the slide47has slid towards the rear, the part49is free to pivot upwards. The pivot point for the “Telemark” mode is close to the clamping point of the boot, and the boot can therefore pivot while greatly limiting the tension of the springs: when the skier lifts his heel, the boot pivots and makes a movement in an arc of a circle. The rear retaining element3also pivots about a pivot point and thus makes a movement in an arc of a circle. In Telemark mode (part49locked on the ski) this pivot point is distant from the front retaining element2; this distance causes a high tension in the tensioning element35and makes the boot bend. The two arcs of a circle described by the movements of these two elements are distant from each other, and the tensioning element35compensates for the distance and thus increases the tension. In “tourist skiing” mode (part49released) the pivot point of the rear retaining element3is very close to the front retaining element2since the part49pivots with the rear retaining element3(seeFIG. 13). The tension on the boot is lower and the skier can easily lift his heel for tourist skiing.

This variant of the front fixing element2therefore allows easy passage from “Telemark” mode to “touring” mode and vice versa without removing the boot, by means of a simple action by the tip of the pole on the element49.

FIGS. 16eand 16fshow more clearly the structure and the action of the slide47and of the “touring pivot assembly” part49.FIG. 16eshows the part49in locked mode,FIG. 16fshows the part49released, after the slide47has released it; in this example, the slide cooperates for this purpose with a recess81provided in the part49. The latter can pivot about an axis82.

InFIGS. 1 to 10, 11b,12to14and16, screws17for fixing the various elements on the ski appear, but the ski28is shown only inFIG. 11a.

The boot5has been described here as comprising a front sole11and a rear sole13, these two parts being separated by the projection46. In the context of the present invention, the projection46may also be produced in the form of a channel or any other hollow provided in the sole of the boot, in which case the protection46is, in the context of the description, said to belong to the front sole11, the edge of the rear part15of which it represents; the rear sole13is in this case represented by the part of the sole that extends from the projection46as far as the rear end of the sole (referred to as the heel12).

FIGS. 17 and 18illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention, in which the flexible connecting element30has in it two orifices83, intended for cooperation with a mounting member for blades. More precisely, this mounting member84has two fingers85intended to enter the aforementioned orifices83, said fingers being able to cooperate with locking means, not shown, of any suitable type.

The member84further comprises a mounting housing86delimited by three protrusions, namely a first middle protrusion87, facing two lateral protrusions88. The opposite faces of these protrusions have a rounded surface, whereas these protrusions are advantageously produced from a material having a certain elasticity. The mounting zone86can therefore accept, removably, blades90such as those sold by the name Dynafit®. For this purpose, these blades are connected, via tabs91, to a transverse rod92able to be received in the housing86.

When the user has to follow a tricky passage, in particular on a glacier, he inserts the rod92in the housing86, in particular by lateral sliding. The blades can then pivot with respect to the flexible element, about the axis of the transverse rod92, in the direction of the arrow F92. The user next engages his boot in the front retaining element2, as described above, so that the blades cannot become disconnected in an unwanted fashion. If he wishes to remove these blades, the user first of all disengages his boot from the front retaining element and then extracts the rod92out of the housing86.

FIGS. 19 and 20illustrate yet another additional embodiment of the invention, in which the heel block4is mounted so as to be able to move with respect to the support40, in this case mounted so as to pivot about a transverse axis A4. In addition, the support delimits a housing94, allowing reception of a sensor95, of a type known per se. This sensor enables the user to find his ski after a fall, when the ski is in particular lost in powdery snow. This sensor is, by way of example, in accordance with the one sold under the name ResQski®.

Before engaging his boot in the front retaining element2, the user pivots the heel block upwards about the axis A4, so as to access the housing94. He next inserts the sensor in said housing: advantageously, the latter has walls suitable for removable fixing of the sensor95, in particular by lateral sliding. It will be noted that this embodiment makes it possible to take advantage judiciously of the free space formed by the heel block. In addition, the top surface of this heel block protects the sensor95vis-á-vis any attack, in particular an unexpected blow from an edge. After use, the user disengages his boot from the front retaining element and then extracts the sensor95out of its housing94.

FIGS. 21 and 22illustrate yet another additional embodiment of the invention in which the control latch26is hollowed out with a recess100emerging on both opposite faces. It is moreover provided with an additional link101, referred to as a locking link, which is mounted so as to pivot about an axis A101, with respect the body of the front retaining element2. The pivoting of this link101can be achieved by pressing on an actuation member102(see alsoFIG. 18) situated on either side of the latch26. This pressing can be initiated for example by a pole and, because of this, the actuation member is advantageously provided with two hollows, providing easy cooperation with this pole.

The link is able to move between two functional positions. In the first position, illustrated inFIG. 21, this link is turned towards the rear of the ski, so that it does not interfere with the free tilting of the latch26. In this first position, the user can therefore freely engage and disengage the boot with respect to the front retaining element.

In the second position, referred to as the locking position, illustrated inFIG. 22, this link is turned towards the front of the ski, so that it now prevents the free tilting of the latch26. Advantageously, the user engages his boot in the first position of the link and then tilts this link into its second position. He can then no longer, when he does not intend to, disengage his boot with respect to the front retaining element. This is because the walls of the recess100then come into abutment against a so-called zone103, belonging to the link101. The ski can therefore no longer be released, which is particularly suited to a “touring” mode, so that the ski does not escape in particular in the case of lateral pressing on the ice.

In another embodiment, not illustrated by Figures, it is the heel12that is engaged by the rear fixing element7.

The binding according to the invention has numerous advantages. It can be engaged and disengaged without the skier needing to bend down. In addition it is versatile, robust, reliable and lightweight.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1Binding2Front retaining element3Rear retaining element4Heel block5Boot6Tensioning link7Rear retaining stirrup8Rear attachment clamp9Knurled ring (9a,9b)10Retraction protrusion11Front sole of the boot512Heel of the boot513Rear sole of the boot514Front part of the front sole1115Rear part of the front sole1116Retraction stop17Screw for fixing on the ski18Spring of the tensioning link619Spindle of the tensioning link620Lug (20a,20b)21Front link22Hollow zone of the latch2623Hollow insert24Clamp25Clip holding the link spindle1926Latch of the front link2127Plate of the front retaining element28Ski29Guide30Flexible connecting element31Elastic return element (spring)32Rod33Cable34Element for adjusting the pivot tip35Tensioning element36Tongue of the tensioning link637Spindles of the connecting element3038Lateral stop39Spindle of the lateral stop3840Heel-block support41Support surface of the heel block42Tilting button43Top chock44Heel-block spindle45Touring locking latch46Rear projection of the front sole1147Slide48Support protuberance49Touring-mode control latch50Touring-pivot assembly70Safety spring71Adjustment screw (tension of the spring70)72Tension indictor73Slide74Front end of the link675Groove of the connecting element3076Base (plate)77Arch78Support surface of the clamp2480Support surface of the front link81Recess in the assembly4982Pivot point of the assembly4983Orifices of the element3084Mounting member85Fingers of the member8486Mounting housing87Middle protrusion88Lateral protrusions90Blades91Tabs of the blades9092Rod of the blades9094Housing of the support4095Sensor100Recess in latch26101Link102Member actuating101103Locking zone of101