CN113015564A - Locking device for locking a ski boot binding to a mounting plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking device (10) for locking a snowshoe binding (1) on a mounting plate (20), the mounting plate (20) being arranged to be mounted on a snowboard, wherein the locking device (10) is arranged in a locked position, in which the snowshoe binding (1) is locked in a longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting plate (20), and in an open position, in which the snowshoe binding (1) is movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting plate (20), wherein a locking element (11) of a corresponding locking device (10) and a locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20) engage with each other in the locked position. The locking device (10) comprises a force transmitting element (12) having opposite ends (12a, 12b), the opposite ends (12a, 12b) being arranged to be attached in corresponding attachments (1a, 1b) in the ski shoe binding (1) when the locking device (10) is in a locked position. The locking element (11) is located between opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12).

Description

Locking device for locking a ski boot binding to a mounting plate

Technical Field

The present invention relates to snowboard equipment, and more particularly, to a locking device for locking a snowshoe binding to a mounting plate on a snowboard such that the snowshoe binding may be adjusted in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting plate and locked to the mounting plate after adjustment.

Background

After it has become common for ski shoe holders to be attached to mounting plates, several solutions have been proposed in order to be able to move the ski shoe holder on the mounting plate without the use of tools. This may be done as part of the adjustment when the binding is attached to the mounting plate, or may be done subsequently if the user wants to change the characteristics of the snowboard, for example to change the attachment or gliding properties. It can also be used to adjust the snowboard to accommodate new users.

International patent publication WO2015140258 a1 shows a locking mechanism with a lever arm in a snowshoe binding having a downward pin that can be pressed down in the longitudinal direction of the mounting plate and attached in different recesses. A snap lock is shown at the end of the lever arm so that when the locking mechanism is locked, the end of the lever arm is pressed down into the track in the holder and secured with a corresponding profile in the front edge of the track so that the pin will not slip out of the notch in the mounting plate.

In international patent application WO2017220771a1, it appears that the above mentioned locking mechanism may loosen in some circumstances, for example in case of varying temperature and age of the fixation device. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to lock the lever arm with a locking element which is hinged in the holder at one end and cooperates with the lever arm at the other end. When the lever arm is pressed down towards the locking position, the locking element slides towards the lever arm, so that the two elements partly engage each other and lock the lever arm in the vertical direction. The locking element has a lock in the longitudinal direction, so that a vertical force acting upwards against the lever arm will not easily cause opening of the lock.

The solutions described in the prior art imply a number of drawbacks, since they do not work well in practice, for example due to snow, they are difficult to use, they break and they are unnecessarily complicated, which makes the holders expensive.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is a locking device for locking a snowshoe binding to a mounting plate arranged to be mounted on a snowboard. The locking device is easy to use and ensures that the ski boot binding does not start to slide or jump in the longitudinal direction of the mounting plate when in use. Furthermore, it is simple to manufacture and mount such a locking device to a ski shoe binding, so that the cost of such a locking device can be reduced.

The locking device is arranged to be in a locked position, in which the snowshoe binding is locked in a longitudinal direction relative to the mounting plate, and an open position, in which the snowshoe binding is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the mounting plate, wherein a first locking element in the corresponding locking device and a first locking element in the mounting plate engage each other in the locked position, wherein the locking device comprises a force transmitting element having opposite ends, wherein the opposite ends of the force transmitting element are arranged to be attached in a corresponding attachment of the snowshoe binding or the mounting plate when the locking device is in the locked position, and wherein the first locking element of the locking device is located between the opposite ends of the force transmitting element.

In an embodiment, the force transmitting element is arranged to transmit at least a part of the force directed from below to the first locking element of the locking device into an opposite horizontal force pressing the end of the force transmitting element into engagement with the respective attachment of the ski shoe binding or mounting plate when the locking device is in the locked position, such that the locking device is fixed in the locked position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ski shoe binding comprises a locking device as described above.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a locking device (10) according to an embodiment of the invention, which locking device (10) is articulated to a ski shoe binding (1) in an area under a ski shoe (not shown), which can be attached to the ski shoe binding (1). The locking device (10) is here in an open position and the first locking element (11) of the locking device (10) is arranged to lock in a corresponding first locking element of a mounting plate (not shown) below the ski shoe binding (1), thereby preventing the ski shoe binding from moving in the longitudinal direction of the mounting plate.

Fig. 2a and 2b illustrate the locking device (10) in two different parts, seen from the front and the rear, respectively, with reference to fig. 1, the locking position (10) being in a vertical state in the open position.

Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate the same locking device (10) as the locking device (10) shown in fig. 1, according to a perspective view and a view from above, wherein the locking device is in a locked position.

Fig. 4a shows parts of the locking device (10) in a sectional view C-C with reference to fig. 3 b.

Fig. 4b shows an enlarged cross-section of fig. 4 a.

Fig. 5a shows parts of the locking device (10) in a sectional view D-D with reference to fig. 3 b.

Fig. 5b shows an enlarged cross-section of fig. 5 a.

Fig. 6a and 6b illustrate the function of the locking means in an embodiment. In fig. 6a, the first locking element (11) of the locking device engages with a corresponding first locking element (21) in the mounting plate (20) and the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the power transmission element (12) press down over corresponding attachments (1a, 1b) on the edge of the ski shoe binding.

As shown in fig. 6b, when a force (F1) directed from below to the first locking element (11) of the locking device is applied, the force is transferred into opposing horizontal forces (F2, F3), which opposing horizontal forces (F2, F3) press the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transfer element into engagement with the respective attachment (1a, 1b) or edge of the snowshoe binding, so that the locking device (10) is fixed in the locked position. This is comparable to older timber grapples that have teeth that sink into the sides of the pole when lifted. The stronger the force directed from below (F1), the stronger the force (F2, F3) will be gripping around the edge of the fixator, so that the fixator will not loosen. At the same time, the locking device (10) is flexible, so that it is not a problem to press the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element over the edge of the snowboard binding to open or lock the locking device (10) as long as the force (F1) directed from below is not effective, i.e. as long as there is no rider on the snowboard.

Detailed Description

In the following portions of the specification, various examples and embodiments of the present invention are shown to provide a more detailed understanding of the present invention to the skilled person. Specific details related to various embodiments and with reference to the drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention. The scope of protection of the invention is given by the appended patent claims.

In this regard, the embodiments are numbered to provide a good understanding of what is included in each embodiment. Furthermore, a number of dependent embodiments are described, which are referred to as associated embodiments, which are defined in relation to the numbered inventions. Unless otherwise stated, embodiments that rely on numbered embodiments may be directly combined with any of the mentioned embodiments or their associated embodiments.

In a first embodiment, the invention is a locking device (10) for locking a snowshoe binding (1) to a mounting plate (20), the mounting plate (20) being arranged to be mounted on a snowboard. The locking device (10) is arranged in a locked position, in which the ski shoe holder (1) is locked in the longitudinal direction relative to the mounting plate (20), and an open position, in which the ski shoe holder (1) is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the mounting plate (20). Thus, in use, the locking device is in a locked or unlocked position. An example of a locking device (10) in a locked position is shown in fig. 6 a.

In the locking position, the first locking element (11) of the corresponding locking device (10) and the first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20) engage with each other.

The locking device (10) comprises a force transmitting element (12), the force transmitting element (12) having opposite ends (12a, 12b), the opposite ends (12a, 12b) being arranged to be attached in corresponding attachments (1a, 1b) in the ski shoe binding (1) or mounting plate (20) when the locking device (10) is in a locked position.

The first locking element (11) of the locking device is located between the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmission element (12).

As can be appreciated from the above description, the locking device (10) may be in many different states when in the open position. Although the open position is shown in a vertical position in several figures, the open position may also comprise other states, wherein the first locking element (11) of the locking device (10) and the corresponding first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20) do not engage each other.

In this embodiment, the locking device (10) can be placed in various positions as long as the condition that the first locking element (11) of the locking device is located between the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12) is met. The opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12) may be arranged, for example, on each side of the ski shoe binding (1) or successively in the middle of the ski shoe binding, wherein the first locking element (11) is located between the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12).

It is also not a prerequisite that the first locking element (11) is arranged in a straight line between the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmission element (12).

In fig. 6a, the locking device (10) is shown in a locked position, and the first locking element (11) of the locking device (10) is engaged with the first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20).

In use, particularly when the skier kicks backwards, a strong force will be exerted in the locking device (10). Although deviations have been minimized during manufacture, in practice the first locking element (11) in the locking device (10) will have a slight flexibility and the possibility of movement relative to the first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20).

It is known that this causes problems, since these varying forces in the longitudinal direction between the ski shoe binding (1) and the mounting plate (20) may cause the locking element (11) to be lifted by a force (F1) directed from below, as a result of the small deflection and flexibility of the components as described above. This in turn may cause the first locking element (11) to lose grip in the corresponding first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20) and thus the ski shoe binding (1) will slide in the longitudinal direction on the mounting plate (20).

It is therefore important to ensure that the first locking elements (11) of the locking device are held in place in the corresponding first locking elements (21) of the mounting plate (20).

In a first, dependent embodiment, this has been solved by: at least a part of the force (F1) directed towards the first locking element (11) of the locking device from below is transferred into an opposite horizontal force (F2, F3), which opposite horizontal force (F2, F3) presses the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transfer element into engagement with the respective attachment (1a, 1b) of the snowshoe binding or mounting plate when the locking device (10) is in the locked position, so that the locking device (10) is fixed in the locked position as illustrated in fig. 6 b.

In another embodiment, which may be combined with any of the above first and its dependent embodiments, the force transmitting element (12) is flexible such that the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element are arranged to be pressed down over the respective attachment (1a, 1b) of the ski shoe binding (1) or mounting plate (20) from the open position in a removable manner to a locked position.

In a first, dependent embodiment, the force transmitting element (12) extends over the ski shoe binding (1), wherein the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element are arranged to be attached to the respective side ends (1a, 1b) of the ski shoe binding or mounting plate to fix the locking device (10) in the locked position.

In a second sub-embodiment, which may be combined with the first sub-embodiment, the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element are arranged to grip around the corresponding ends (1a, 1b) on each side of the ski shoe binding (1) or mounting plate (20) when the locking device (10) is in the locked position.

In a third subsidiary embodiment which can be combined with the first subsidiary embodiment or the second subsidiary embodiment, the force-transmitting element (12) is flexible such that the ends (12a, 12b) of the force-transmitting element are arranged to be removably pressed down over the edge on each side of the snowshoe binding or mounting plate.

In a fourth dependent embodiment, which can be combined with any of the other dependent embodiments, the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element have opposite longitudinal inward tracks (13a, 13b), said tracks (13a, 13b) being arranged to be pressed in a removable manner over outward edges (2a, 2b) on the snowshoe binding or mounting plate.

In a third embodiment, which may be combined with any of the above embodiments and their dependent embodiments, the force transmitting element (12) is rotatably attached to the ski shoe binding (1) such that the force transmitting element (12) may be tilted upwards to an open position.

In a first, dependent embodiment, the force transmitting element (12) is fixedly attached to the ski shoe binding (1) on one side and is flexible or hinged such that the force transmitting element (12) can be tilted up to an open position.

In a second subsidiary embodiment, which can be combined with the above first subsidiary embodiment, the first locking element (11) and the force transmitting element (12) can be integrated in the locking device (10), for example by moulding into a piece of plastic material providing the necessary flexibility as shown in the figures.

The locking device (10) may alternatively be constituted by several elements, for example by a force transmission element (12) comprising two arms hinged against each other or against an intermediate piece consisting of a first locking element (11).

In a fourth embodiment, which can be combined with any of the above embodiments and their dependent embodiments, the first locking element (11) of the locking device comprises one or more downward pins or tracks arranged to be inserted into corresponding holes or tracks being part of the first locking element (21) of the mounting plate.

In a first, dependent embodiment, one or more of the pins are wedge-shaped.

In a second, dependent embodiment, which can be directly combined with the above first independent embodiment, two or more pins are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the ski shoe binding (1), as for example shown in fig. 1.

In a fifth embodiment, which can be combined with any of the above embodiments and their dependent embodiments, the second locking element (14) of the corresponding locking device (10) and the second locking element (24) of the ski shoe binding (20) engage each other in the locked position.

These other locking elements, shown in the embodiments in fig. 1 and 2a, are arranged to lock the locking device (10) to the ski shoe binding (1) when the locking device is in the locked position, so that the ski shoe binding (1) cannot move relative to the mounting plate even if the locking device (10) is locked to a board as described above.

In a first subsidiary embodiment, the second locking element of the locking device (10) comprises a vertical edge that fits into a recess in the snowshoe binding (1) such that the locking device (10) is locked in the longitudinal direction with respect to the snowshoe binding (1) when the locking device (10) is in the locked position.

In a second, dependent embodiment, which can be combined with the above first, independent embodiment, the second locking element of the locking device (10) comprises a reinforced area (15) surrounding the first locking element (11), wherein the reinforced area (15) is arranged to fit into a recess (25) in the snowshoe binding (1).

In a third subsidiary embodiment which can be combined with the first subsidiary embodiment or the second subsidiary embodiment above, the second locking element (14) of the locking device (10) comprises a ramp which fits into a recess in the holder (10), the ramp being arranged to press the locking device (10) downwards against the holder when a kickback is applied in the holder.

This may be, for example, a beveled edge or undercut at the front portion of the reinforced area (15) and a corresponding bevel in the ski shoe binding (1).

In the other locking element (14, 24) embodiment shown in fig. 1, the locking device (10) is lowered into the ski shoe binding (1) when it is in the locked position, and the vertical engagement between the two elements prevents longitudinal movement. This also means that the locking device (10) in this position appears to be an inherent part of the ski shoe binding surface.

This is also visible in a fourth, dependent embodiment which may be combined with any of the above embodiments and is shown in fig. 4a and 4c, where the locking device (10) comprises a pin on each side, which is arranged to turn into the ski shoe binding (1), where the area between the pins is embedded such that the locking device surface merges with the ski shoe binding (1) when it is in the locking position.

In a sixth embodiment, which may be combined with any of the above embodiments and their dependent embodiments, the locking device (10) comprises a third locking piece arranged to hold the locking device in an open position such that the locking device does not fall out of a vertical position, such as shown in fig. 1, without application of a force.

In a dependent embodiment, the third locking comprises a lever arm (16) on the locking device (10), the lever arm (16) being arranged to press down a resilient element (26) in the ski shoe holder (1), wherein the locking device (10) is moved from a locking position to an opening position. In this case, the end of the lever arm (16) is located in front of the rotational axis of the locking device (10) when the locking device is in the locking position, or the end of the lever arm (16) is located below the rotational axis of the locking device (10) when the locking device is in the open position as shown in fig. 2 a. The lever arm presses down on the resilient member (26), and the resilient member (26) may be an integral tab in the holder. In this case, when the lock device (10) is in the vertical direction, the elastic member (26) is pressed downward as much as possible. If the locking device (10) is turned further, in the situation shown in fig. 1, the locking device (10) will be forward and the elastic element (26) will create less resistance. In order to rotate the locking device (10) from this position back again, a force must therefore be applied to overcome the elasticity of the vertical position.

In a seventh embodiment, the invention is a ski shoe binding (1) comprising a locking device (10) as described in any one of the above embodiments.

In a dependent embodiment, the locking device (10) may be a separate element that is attached to the ski shoe binding as part of the product or moulded as an integral part of the binding. In both cases, the locking device may be articulated with joints or made of flexible material, allowing bending into and out of a locked position.

In the embodiments shown, which are examples of how the invention may be carried out, various features and details are shown in combination. Although several features are described as belonging to a certain embodiment, this does not necessarily mean that these features must be implemented together in all embodiments of the invention. Likewise, features described in different embodiments should not be considered as excluding combinations with each other. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments comprising some of the features which are not specifically described together, but which are also not described as excluding combinations with each other, are part of the present invention. Explicit description of all embodiments will not contribute to the understanding of the concept of the present invention and therefore some combinations have been excluded to simplify and shorten the present application.

Claims (12)

1. A locking device (10) for locking a snowshoe binding (1) on a mounting plate (20), the mounting plate (20) being arranged to be mounted on a snowboard, wherein the locking device (10) is arranged in a locked position, in which the snowshoe binding (1) is locked in a longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting plate (20), and in an open position, in which the snowshoe binding (1) is movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting plate (20),

wherein the first locking element (11) of the corresponding locking device (10) and the first locking element (21) of the mounting plate (20) engage with each other in the locked position,

wherein the locking device (10) comprises a force transmitting element (12) having opposite ends (12a, 12b), wherein the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12) are arranged to be attached in corresponding attachments (1a, 1b) in the snowshoe binding (1) or the mounting plate (20) when the locking device (10) is in the locked position, and wherein the first locking element (11) of the locking device is located between the opposite ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element (12).

2. Locking element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitting element (12) is arranged to transmit at least a part of a force (F1) directed from below to the first locking element (11) of the locking device into an opposite horizontal force (F2, F3), which opposite horizontal force (F2, F3) presses an end (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element into engagement with a respective attachment (1a, 1b) of the snowshoe binding or mounting plate when the locking device (10) is in the locked position, such that the locking device (10) is fixed in the locked position.

3. Locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force transmitting element (12) is flexible such that its ends (12a, 12b) are arranged to be pressed down over the respective attachment (1a, 1b) of the snowshoe binding or mounting plate from the open position to the locked position in a removable manner.

4. Locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the force transmitting element (12) extends over the ski shoe binding (1), wherein the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element are arranged to be attached to the respective side ends (1a, 1b) of the ski shoe binding or the mounting plate to fix the locking device (10) in the locked position.

5. A locking device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element are arranged to grip around the corresponding end (1a, 1b) on each side of the ski boot binding (1) or the mounting plate when the locking device (10) is in a locked position.

6. A locking device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the force transmitting element (12) is flexible such that its ends (12a, 12b) are arranged to be pressed in a removable manner over the edges on each side of the ski shoe binding (1) or the mounting plate (20).

7. A locking device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ends (12a, 12b) of the force transmitting element have opposite longitudinal inward tracks (13a, 13b), which tracks (13a, 13b) are arranged to be pressed in a removable manner over outward edges (2a, 2b) on the snowshoe binding (1) or the mounting plate (20).

8. A locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the force transmitting element (12) is rotatably attached to the ski shoe binding (1) such that the force transmitting element (12) can be tilted up to an open position.

9. The locking device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking element of the locking device comprises one or more downward pins.

10. The locking device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the one or more pins are wedge-shaped.

11. Locking device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second locking element (14) in the corresponding locking device (10) and a second locking element (24) in the ski shoe holder (20) engage each other in the locked position.

12. A ski shoe binding (1) having a locking device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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