SKI BOOT FOR DISAPPEARING-TYPE BINDINGS

Abstract: This ski boot for disappearing-type bindings, on the sole (2) of the boot (1), in a recess (3) for accommodating the bind­ ing, comprises at least one small block (10) defining an en­ gagement seat for one of the pushers (5,5′) of the binding (4). The small block (10) is movable between an engagement posi­ tion, in which it engages the pusher (5) and a retracted posi­ tion, allowing unfastening of the binding. A locking mech­ anism is provided for holding the small block in the engage­ ment position and may be operated from the outside of the ski boot for allowing movement of the small block in the retracted position.

Description: The present invention relates to a ski boot for disappearing-type bindings. As is known, ski bindings are currently available on the market which are arranged in a central position under the sole of the boot and are seated in a recess defined in the sole itself. These bindings generally comprise a front ferrule or pusher and a rear pusher, which engage with seats provided in the recess. Currently, in order to perform the intentional unfastening of the boot from the ski, mechanical parts are provided that, generally, employ the lever effect between the ski and the boot to expel the boot from the binding. Other known embodiments act by inhibiting the action of the springs which bias the pushers and adjust the pushers themselves. In the known embodiments, therefore, a relatively large effort must be necessarily exerted in order to obtain the unfastening, or possibly it is necessary to provide protruding parts which allow to perform the unfastening. DE-A-1 919 637 shows in particular such a ski boot which the lever effect is used to expel the boot from the binding. The aim of the invention is to eliminate the previously described disadvantages by providing a ski boot which itself provides the part intended for unfastening the boot, thus eliminating any protruding parts and additional elements, necessary according to the known art. Within the scope of the above described aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a ski boot which becomes an active part of the fastening function to the ski, already housing a part of the mechanism and factually contributing towards a better integration among the ski, the binding and the boot. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ski boot in which the unfastening may be performed with extreme speed and simplicity, and wherein the unfastening elements, being directly built-in in the boot, are not subject to shocks or to accumulations of snow and the like which could cause damage thereto. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ski boot for central disappearing binding with a built-in quick-release device which, due to its peculiar constructive features, gives the greatest guarantees of reliability and safety in use. The above described aim, as well as the objects referred to and others which will better appear hereinafter, are achieved by a ski boot for disappearing-type bindings, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises on the sole of the boot, proximate to the positioning recess of the fastening, at least one small block defining the engagement seat with one of the hooking points of the fastening, there being furthermore provided means for the at least partial reentry of said small block into said sole for disengaging from said one of the points, said reentry means being operatable externally to said boot. Further features and advantages will better appear from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a ski boot for central disappearing binding with a quick-release device, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, where: Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section view of a ski boot with a quick-release device; Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the quick-release device in locking position; Fig. 3 shows the quick-release device in unlocking position; Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a detail of a different embodiment of the device: Fig. 5 is a further embodiment of the quick-release device; Fig. 6 is a hydraulically-operated device. With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the ski boot, which is generally indicated at the reference numeral 1 , has a sole 2 which, in a per se known manner. defines a recess 3 for the positioning of the central disappearing binding, indicated generally at the reference numeral 4 and not described herein in detail, since it is the object of a co-pending application by the same applicant. According to the invention, proximate to the above cited recess 3, at least one small block 10 is provided, which has a shaped receptacle engagement seat 10a on one side thereof and with which, as an example, is engageable the spring biased rear pusher 5 of the binding 4, while the front pusher 5' engages with a fixed abutment 10' defined at the other end of the recess 3. Furthermore, according to the invention. the small block 10 is controlled by disengagement means which allow an at least partial reentry of the small block in the sole and thereby disengagement from the spring biased pusher 5. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. the small block 10 is slideably guided in a slot 11 opening at the recess and rearwardly has a portion in the shape of an inclined plane 12. which engages by contact with a wedge-like element 13 acting with the other side on a fixed wedge-like abutment 14. The wedge-like element 13 is movable, preferably transversely with respect to the extension of the sole, due to the action of an electromagnet 20 which interacts with the stem 21 connected to one base of the wedge-like element, which in turn , at the other base, is connected to a traction spring 22. The electromagnet is electrically coupled to an electric power source, comprising, as an example, a dry battery 25 located in the heel of the boot and interconnected to the electromagnet through an electric switch 26 positioned on the boot and accessible from the outside. When the electromagnet is not activated, the wedge-like element, due to the bias of the traction spring 22, is pulled between the inclined plane of the small block 10 and the fixed wedge-like abutment 14, thus keeping the small block 10 in a position protruding from the slot 11 and engaged with the pusher 5. In order to perform the unfastening it is sufficient to activate the electromagnet which controls the stem, causing the motion of the wedge-like element 13, with the consequent possibility of reentry of the small block 10 in its own seat and its consequent disengagement from the pusher 5. According to a different embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 4, the small block 10 is articulated to a rod 30 ending with a body 31 having an inclined plane 32 which engages with a wedge-like small block 33, slideable along a direction perpendicular to the rod 30, against the bias of a return spring 35. The wedge-like small block 33 is prevented from rotating by a rear abutment plane 34. With the wedge-like small block 33 is articulated a connecting rod 37 pivotably coupled with an operating pushbutton 38 accessible from the outside of the boot and hinged to the boot at a point (not shown in Fig. 4, but corresponding to point 53 of Fig. 5), which is located remote from the pivot point of the connecting rod 37 to the pushbutton 38. It must be furthermore added that a return spring 39 is provided, which acts between a fixed abutment projection 40 and the internal face of the small block 10 in order to keep the latter in an extracted position. By exerting a pressing action on the pushbutton 38. the small connecting rod 37 causes the translation of the wedge-like small block 33, overcoming the bias of the return spring 35 and consequently the body 31 with the inclined plane 32 is no longer in abutment with the block 33, so that the small block 10 can easily reenter in the sole, thus aiding in the unfastening. According to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the small block 10 is hinged to a stem 50 of a piston 51 sealingly slideable in a cylindrical hollow body 52 which is provided, on its head, with a discharge valve 54 and with a one-way intake valve 55. The discharge valve 54 is held in closing position by a return spring 56 and is hinged to an end of a strut 58, which is articulated, at the other end, with a pushbutton 59, accessible from the outside and pivotably coupled with the boot at 53. By exerting a pressing action on the button 59, as indicated by the arrow, the strut 58, by overcoming the elastic bias of the return spring 56, causes the opening of the discharge valve 54 and consequently the piston 51 can slide inside the cylinder, overcoming the elastic bias of the spring 62 which acts between the small block 10 and a fixed appendix 63 defined by the boot. The spring 62 is intended to return the piston 51 towards the outside, thus obtaining automatic opening of the one-way intake valve 55, with the consequent intake of air in the cylinder chamber, air which provides the antagonist element which prevents the reentry of the small block 10 in the sole. Restoring of the sealing condition between the binding and the boot occurs automatically since, when the pressing action on the button 59 ceases, the return spring 56 returns the discharge valve 54 to a closed position, while the spring 62 ensures the relocation of the piston 51 in the working position by virtue of the valve 55 allowing air intake, with balance restoring. With reference to Fig. 6, an embodiment is illustrated with hydraulic operation, which comprises an external container 70, located within the sole of the boot and defining in its interior a first tank 71 and a transfer tank 72, communicating with each other by means of first and second conduits 73 and 74, respectively controlled by first and second one-way valves 75 and 76 which, in normal conditions, allow for the flow of liquid from the transfer tank 72 to the first tank 71. In the tank 71 is sealingly slideable a small piston 77 coupled, by means of a rod 78, to the small block 10, while in the transfer tank 72 is slideably moveable a cap 79 engaged by a pusher spring 80 pushing the cap towards the ports of the conduits 73 and 74, to transfer the fluid in the tank 71. On the first one-way valve 75 acts the end of a rod 81, articulated at the other end to a pushbutton element 82, accessible from the outside and pivotably coupled to the boot; furthermore a return spring 83 is provided, acting on the rod 81. In practice, by exerting a pressing action on the pushbutton element 82, opening of the valve 75 is caused, thereby allowing the small piston 77 to slide and transfer of liquid from the first tank 71 in the transfer tank 72 and reentry of the small block 10, overcoming the elastic bias offered by the spring 80. The spring 80 is intended to push the cap 79, with return of the liquid in the tank 71, by overcoming the elastic bias of the one-way valves 75 and 76 and with the exit of the small block 10 in the recess of the sole. Restoring of the sealing condition between the binding and the boot occurs automatically, since, once the pressing action on the pushbutton element 82 ceases, the one-way valves 75 and 76 prevent the transfer of the liquid from tank 71 to tank 72 and consequently the reentry of the small block 10. Therefore, according to the invention, with extremely simple means it is possible to actuate a shaped small block, which defines the engagement seat for one or possibly both pushers of the binding, thus aiding in unfastening, since it is sufficient to remove the action which keeps said small block in a position protruding in the recess. Indeed, with the above described solutions, for unfastening, the possibility is allowed for the small block to reenter without particular problems within the sole, thus aiding in the unfastening between the boot and the binding. Particularly important, furthermore, is the fact that the binding is notably simplified since the unfastening function, currently typically associated with the binding, is practically assigned to the boot. The invention as described is susceptible of several modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Claims: A ski boot for disappearing-type bindings, comprising a recess (3) in the boot sole (2) for accommodating therein a binding (4) attached to a ski with locking means being provided which comprise at least one spring biased hooking pusher (5,5') which engages in at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) to thereby create a spring biased binding connection between the ski boot recess (3) and the binding (4), disengagement means operable from the outside of the ski boot being furthermore provided for disengaging the at least one spring biased hooking pusher (5,5') from the at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) to thereby free the ski boot from the binding (4), characterized in that said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) is defined on a surface of at least one small block (10) which is movably associated with the recess (3) of the boot sole (2) and said at least one spring biased hooking pusher (5,5') is associated with the binding (4) attached to the ski, said at least one small block (10) being movable by means of said disengagement means between an engagement position, in which the at least one spring biased hooking pusher (5,5') is engaged in the at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a), and a retracted position, in which the at least one spring biased hooking pusher (5,5') is disengaged from the at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a). Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that said disengagement means comprise a wedge-like element (13) interacting between a fixed wedge-like abutment (14) and an inclined plane (12) defined on a side of said small block (10) facing said wedge-like abutment (14) opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a), said wedge-like element (13) being movable due to the action of an electromagnet (20) in antagonism with a return spring (22) acting on said wedge-like element (13). Ski boot according to claim 2, characterized in that said disengagement means further comprise a stem (21) extending from said wedge-like element (13) and operatively engaging with said electromagnet (20), said stem (21) extending on a side of said wedge-like element opposite to said return spring (22). Ski boot according to claim 3, characterized in that said electromagnet (20) is electrically coupled to an electric power source comprised of a dry battery (25) located within said ski boot (1) through a connection circuit including a push-button switch (26) accessible from the outside of said ski boot. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that said disengagement means comprise a rod-like element (30) articulated to said small block (10) at a side opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) and having a wedge-like body (31) at another end thereof, said wedge-like body (31) engaging with a wedge-like small block (33) which is slidably movable in said sole (2) against a return spring (35) along a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to an extension of said rod-like element (30). Ski boot according to claim 5, characterized in that said disengagement means further comprise a small connecting rod (37) hingedly connected at one end thereof to said wedge-like small block (33) and hingedly connected at another end thereof to a pushbutton element (38) articulated to said ski boot (1) at a point remote from the articulation point of said small connecting rod (37) to said pushbutton element (38), whereby a pressing action exerted on said pushbutton element (38) causes a translation of said wedge-like small block (33) with a consequent possibility of translation of said small block (10) to said retracted position. Ski boot according to claim 6, characterized in that a return spring (39) is provided which acts between said small block (10) at a side opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) and a fixed abutment projection (40) defined on said sole (2). Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that said disengagement means comprise a rod-like element (50) articulated at one end thereof to said small block (10) at a side opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) and connected at another end thereof to a small piston (51) sealingly slidable in a cylinder (52) located in said boot (1), said cylinder defining a one-way discharge valve (54) and a one-way intake valve (55), a return spring (56) and a strut (57) acting on said discharge valve (54), said strut (57) being articulated to a pushbutton element (59) pivotally coupled to said ski boot (1) at a point remote from the articulation point of said strut (57). Ski boot according to claim 8, characterized in that a return spring (62) is provided which acts between said small block (10) at a side opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) and a fixed appendix (63) protruding from said sole (2), said strut (57), upon actuation of said pushbutton (59), being suitable for generating the opening of said discharge valve (54), with the possibility of translation of said piston (51) in said cylinder (52) and the consequent reentry of said small block (10) in said sole (2). Ski boot, according to claim 1, characterized in that said disengagement means comprise a small piston (77) connected by means of a rod (78) to said small block (10) at a side opposite to said at least one shaped receptacle engagement seat (10a) and being sealingly movable in a first tank (71) communicating, by means of at least one conduit (73,74) controlled by at least one one-way valve (75,76) with a transfer tank (72), in said transfer tank (72) there being sealingly movable a cap (79) engaged by a pusher spring (80), on said at least one one-way valve (75) there acting the end of a rod (81) articulated to a pushbutton element (82) accessible from the outside of said ski boot (1) and pivotably connected with said ski boot (1) at a point remote from the articulation point of said rod (81), a return spring (83) acting on said rod (81).

Inventors: POZZOBON, ALESSANDRO
Applicants: NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5