Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Patent
1988-05-02
1989-11-14
Marmor, Charles A.
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
280631, A63C 9081, A63C 9088
Patent
active
048802522
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a safety ski binding having an electronic interpreter circuit which is connected to load cells that emit electrical signals, an electric power supply, e.g., a battery, and an electromechanical release provided with at least one latch member that drives a control device for controlling a locking mechanism which acts on the heel irons.
A number of proposals for this kind of ski bindings are known. The common feature of these approaches is an open arrangement of the electromechanical release in toe irons, that is to say, the releases remain exposed with little protection from weather-dependent influences. This can easily lead to freezing or dirt collection, so that the operation of such a binding can no longer be properly assured, since it can operate only with relatively small triggering forces so as to minimize power consumption. However, it is impossible with these small triggering forces to break off even small deposits of ice or to overcome a frictional grip of the locking mechanism which is increased by dust collection.
Thus, for example, French Pat. No. 2,375,880 discloses a safety ski binding in which the latch member is formed by a pawl, which is controlled by means of an axially sliding bar driven by an electromagnet. In this ski binding, the electromagnet is mounted in ski irons having an opening in its underside and which is therefore exposed, practically without protection, to penetrating snow. The considerable danger with this approach is that the latch member and the electromagnet may be exposed to frost formation, and thus may barely meet with the safety standards adopted for conditions of normal usage.
Furthermore, Austrian Pat. No. 307,94 also proposes a ski binding in which the latch member is also controlled by an electromagnet. Admittedly, this approach also provides for closed ski irons in which the electromagnet is mounted, but these irons are traversed with considerable play by a number of actuators. This structure allows water to seep through and can in the final analysis lead to freezing and locking of the release.
In the prior art device, the ski boot is held in position by a revolving notch, whereby the shaft for the drive of this notch is mounted in ball bearings, which are not sealed. Moreover, in substantially closed spaces, water may collect as a result of temperature and air pressure variations, since the air moisture, which, as a result of temperature variations that produce corresponding pressure variations in the interior of the ski irons, enters the interior through the smallest slit and condenses therein. This condensation does not flow away readily and therefore, increases the risk of frost formation.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional structure.
A further object is to provide a ski binding of the kind referred to in the introduction, but which operates reliably even under the difficult conditions prevailing in winter sports.
Another object of the present invention is the placement of the control device such that it is immune from weather conditions. This is achieved by placing the electromechanical release in an enclosure which is sealed all around and by designing the control device as a shaft that is passed in fluid-tight manner through the wall of the enclosure. In this way, the sensitive portion of the binding is fully protected from meteorological influences, particularly from freezing and dust collection. Since the shaft may control a revolving notch or may be formed as such, only small control forces are necessary to move the shaft from the locking position to the unlocking position.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing may be filled with a dry inert gas or with an electrically insulating liquid, for instance synthetic oil, remaining fluid to at least -30.degree. C., whereby especially high protection is obtained. Moreover the filling with oil or the like allow reliably detecting any leakage that might degrade the operational reliability.
Regarding a ski safety binding of
REFERENCES:
patent: 3950003 (1976-04-01), Korger
patent: 4130296 (1978-12-01), D'Antonio et al.
patent: 4159124 (1979-06-01), Salomon
patent: 4291894 (1981-09-01), D'Antonio et al.
patent: 4415176 (1983-11-01), Hull et al.
patent: 4494767 (1985-01-01), Campillo et al.
Kruschik Klaus
Morbitzer Hans P.
Nowak Gerhard
Theuer Rudolf
Winter Alfred
Finlay Tamara L.
Marmor Charles A.
TMC Corporation
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