Ski brake
D United States Patent 1 1 [111 3,877,709 Fritz Apr. 15, 1975 4] SKI BRAKE Primary ExaminerDavid Schonberg Assistant ExaminerMilton L. Smith G [75] Inventor l-lelmuth Fritz, Jestetten ermany Attorney g or Flrm wemer W Kleeman [73] Assignee: Karl Altenburger,  
  M I -T t t, S t l d 22 F. d Don;eL;);73err1e w1 zer an ABSTRACT v l 1 l e A ski brake, especially for safety bindings, incorporat- PP 421,037 ing a connection element actuating a control device. The connection element is arranged between the ski [30] Foreign Application Priority Data shoe re. the sk binding and the ski brake located 1n D 5 972 SW1 1 d 17683, front of or behind the ski binding. The brake aw or 1973 S 7204 73 brake jaws of the ski brake are capable of assuming a ay wtzer an respective stop or locked position for the arrested position and the preparatory position respectively of the [2%] 282251.151: Ski brake Upon release of the Ski binding Such brake 1 C jaw or jaws move into the braking position at the run- 1 0 can l 37 ning or traveling surface of the ski. Upon actuating the control device, upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the jaw or jaws lock into its or their pre- [56] References Cited paratory position. The connection element which is UNITED STATES PATENTS arranged lengthwise of the ski is constructed as a 3,433,494 3/1969 Hinterholzer 280111.13 B pushor traction element which can be actuated 3,704,024 1 1/1972 Martin 280/l 1.13 B a ainst the action of a s rin 3,715,126 2/1973 Schwarz 280/ll.l3 B g p g 3,785,663 l/l974 Spieldicner et al. 280/1 l.l3 B 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR I 5:975  
 sum 2 BF 2 N mw SKI BRAKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of ski brake, especially for safety or release bindings, incorporating a connection element which actuates a control device and which connection element is located between the ski boot, in other words the ski binding, and the ski brake arranged forwardly or behind the ski binding. The ski brake possesses a brake jaw or brake jaws which can assume a respective stop position for the arresting position and for the preparatory position respectively, and upon release of the ski binding the jaw or faces move into the braking position at the running surface of the ski. Upon actuating the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding the jaw or faces lock into the preparatory position.  
  With safety ski bindings a connection between the ski and the skier is necessary, typically in the form of a catch strap or belt, which is secured to the ski or at the ski binding and can be wrapped around the lower ankle of the skier. If the release binding opens during a fall then the catch belts prevents running away of the ski from the skier. This type of connection has been found in practice to be quite dangerous, since during the fall of the skier the ski is pulled along and thus the loosely hanging ski can injure the skier. Hence, it has already been proposed to replace such catch belts or straps by ski brakes. A notable advantage of a ski brake in contrast to the conventional catch straps or belts resides in the fact that upon opening of the ski binding there is eliminated any connection of the skier with the ski,  
 thereby equally considerably reducing the danger of injury to the skier by a ski. Of course, the ski brake must operate reliably and without any great need for maintenance and such ski brake itself cannot possess components which could be dangerous to the skier, such as pointed elements, metallic parts and so forth.  
  Basically speaking, the prior art constructions of ski brakes which are known in this particular art essentially fall into two different constructional embodiments. According to the first type the ski brake, both in the arrested position as well as also in the preparatory position, is located at least partially beneath the ski boot which is held by the ski binding. The ski brake is retained by the ski boot and after the ski boot is released from the ski binding the ski brake is automatically released so that it can assume its ski braking position.  
  With the second constructional type of ski brake there is not present any local inter-dependency between the ski boot and the ski brake, rather the ski brake can be arranged at a random distance from the ski boot, and thus there must be provided a connection between the ski boot and the ski brake.  
  The second constructional embodiment of ski brake possesses advantages in contrast to those which are present with the first type of ski brake. One considerable advantage of the second contructional embodiment of ski brake especially resides in the fact that as far as its space requirements and its arrangement at the ski it is not as a practical matter subject to any severe restrictions of limitations. Hence it can be arranged such that in the braking position the brake jaw or brake jaws become completely effectual independent of the direction of movement of the ski.  
  Since with the first exemplary embodiment there is limited available space for arranging the ski brake beneath the ski boot the dimensions of the brake jaws must be maintained relatively small. Therefore, usually it is necessary to dispense with a support for the ski brake in a preparatory position and the brake jaw which is under spring pressure and presses against the ski boot is retained by means of the ski boot in its preparatory position.  
  If the ski brake is equipped with an arresting mechanism, then for reasons of safety such should automatically be released upon inserting the ski boot into the ski binding. Yet, this requirement is normally not fulfilled by ski brakes of the first type of construction discussed above, unless v there is dispensed with the arresting mechanism.  
  With the second exemplary embodiment there is required a device for retaining the brake jaw in the preparatory position owing to the spatial separation of the ski boot from the ski brake. Without any considerable additional expenditure such can also be constructued for holding the brake in the arrested position, so that with such embodiment generally there are provided both of the stop or locking positions. In this regard attention is directed to Swiss Pat. No. 507,719 and US. Pat. No. 3,704,024.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of ski brake which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals.  
  Another and more specific object of the present invention aims to the provision of a new and improved construction of ski brake of the second type of design discussed above, wherein there is present a spatial separation between the ski binding i.e. the ski boot and the ski brake, and furthermore, this invention aims at the provision of a construction of ski brake 0f the previously described type which ensures for a reliable connection between the ski binding i.e. the ski boot and the ski brake, whereby there is rendered possible an automatic transition from the arresting position into the preparatory position of the ski brake.  
  Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates that the connection element arranged lengthwise with regard to the ski is constructed as a pushor traction element which can be actuated against the action of a spring. In this way there is ensured that the connection element can be accommodated at a very small space and additionally is not limited to a given safety binding, rather can be equally well utilized with all types of safety or release bindings for skis.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the heel portion of a safety ski binding with a control device at the rear sole plate which can be actuated by a traction element,  
 and by means of which control device there can be actuated a ski brake arranged behind the ski binding;  
  FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. I;  
  FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a heel portion of a safety or release ski binding, partially in&#39; sectional view, with a pressure element which is secured to the heel portion for actuating the control device of a ski brake; and  
 FIG. 4 is a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 3.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED,  
 EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in the various Figures thereof a heel portion component 1 of a safety ski binding, also known in the art as a releasable ski binding, possesses a holding head 1a having two laterally arranged, pivotably mounted jaws 2 which are rotatable about a shaft or axle 3 located parallel and transverse to the top surface of the ski, for instance by pushing down a release lever 4 with the tip of the ski pole. The heel portion or component I, which can be designed in many different constructional manifestations, for instance as disclosed in Swiss Pat. No. 493,254 and therefore is to be considered as a conventional and known component, is mounted so as to be lengthwise adjustable on a baseor mounting plate 7 or also can be fixedly mounted. This heel portion or component 1 is secured to the top surface of the ski 5 while interposing an intermediate layer constituted, for instance, by a thin protective plate or sheet metal member 6, and according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 the mounting plate 7 carries on its elongated rear portion 8 a ski brake 10. The protective plate 6 only extendsup to the region of the ski brake 10, so asnot to markedly influence the elastic properties of the ski 5. In front of the baseor mounting plate 7 there is secured on the forwardly extended protective plate 6, for instance by means of not particularly illustrated rivets, a ski boot sole receiving ledge or plate 11 for the convenient placement thereon of the ski boot, this ledge or plate 11 being formed for instance of plastic so as to possess good sliding properties.  
  As best seen by referring to FIG. 2, the ski brake or brake mechanism also can be arranged separate from the baseor mounting plate 7., in which case then the ski brake 10 is attached by means of a base plate 9 on the top surface of the ski 5.  
  During non-use of the ski brake 10 his locked in the arrested position depicted in FIG. 1 and corresponding to the first locking or stop position. For the actuation of the ski brake lltl, that is to say in order that it can automatically transfer out of the first locked position, i.e. the arrested position, into the second locked or stop position corresponding to the preparatory postion, and as soon as the ski boot is placed into the ski binding so as to support such at the sole ledge or plate 11, there is provided a connection element between the ski boot and the ski brake 10. This connection element is connected with an actuation bracket 12 which extends at an inclination with regard to the top surface of the ski whenthe ski boot is removed from the binding. Engaging with this actuation bracket 12 is a plate or strap 18 which extends at a smaller inclination and which is cou pled with a transmission bracket 14 of the connection element or connection means. The sole ledge or plate 11 is provided with a groove 19a in which there is arranged a zig-zag shaped extending compression or pressure spring &#39;19 which bears against the sole plate or, ledge 11 and at the actuation bracket 12 and exerts a spring force or resilient effort upon the transmission bracket 14. This transmission bracket 14 possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration and incorporates a base portion or base 20 and two legs 15, the latter of which are located in a guide or guide means 21 which extends in the form of a groove to both sides of the heel portion or component 1 at the baseor mounting plate 7. However, it is to be understood that it is also possible to use a different guide externally of the plate 7, some thing which is dependent upon the construction of the relevant components of the momentarily employed ski binding. The transmission bracket 14 is formed of rod material, however, it would also be possible to form the same of at least partially flexible material and to arrange the actuation bracket or lever 112 and the spring V 19 such that only traction forces are effective at the bracket 14. What is important is that the connection element transmits the stroke or displacement movements required for the actuation of the ski brake 10 during depression and release of the actuation bracket 12.  
  The transition from the connection element to a con: trol device or element 23 of the ski brake occurs by means of an overhang arm or arm means 24 secured to the ends of the legs 15 and which engages with a pin 25 at a beam 26. The beam 26 is connected with bolts 28 adjustable by means of threading and a counternut member 29. The connection between the beam 26 and the legs 15 can also be effectuated in a different way,  
 for instance by bending-up the legs 15 or by the direct connection of the bolts 28 with the legs 15. The bolts 28 carry out stroke or displacement movements which correspond to the movements of the transmission bracket 14 and which serve the purpose oftransferring the brake jaws 16, 17 from the arrested position into the preparatory position and, when necessary, releasing, the brake jaws. The control device 23 doesnotconsti tute subject matter of the present invention, but its function has been described in greater detail in the German patent publication No. 2,311,316 incorporated herein and to, which reference may bereadily had.  
 What is important is that the actuation bracket or lever 12 be designed to be relatively small, so as to prevent as far as possible becoming unintentionally caught thereat, and thus to extensively avoid an unintentional transfer of the ski brake into the second locked or stop position.  
 Now in the constructional embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and d the components 1 to 6, and 11 corre-.  
 spond to those discussed above with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The mounting plate &#39;7 possesses a rectangular-shaped opening 30 which ex-.  
 tends in the lengthwise direction of the axis of the ski, and in which there is guided the heel portion or component I by means of a slide or sliding plate 31. The slide plate 31 engages beneath the side edges of the opening 30, so that the plate 7 together with the protective plate 6 forms two guide grooves 30a for the slide or sliding.  
 plate 31.  
  A threaded bore 32 is arranged in the slide plate 31 and a threaded bolt 33 is threadably connected into the threaded bore 23. The threaded bolt 33 transforms into a multiple-stepped bolt portion 34 and extendsxto a location beneath the ski brake 10. The control device or element 36 with the beam 37 engages with a groove 35. If the bolt unit 33, 34 is displaced, then there is also shifted the beam 37 and two bolts 38 connected therewith, which undertake the transfer of the ski brake from the arrested position into the preparatory position. The function of the bolts 38 corresponds to that of the bolts 28 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and has been described in the aforementioned German patent publication No. 2,311,316.  
  A compression or pressure spring 39 is arranged beneath the ski brake, this spring bearing against a collar 40 and pressing the bolt 34 to the left of FIG. 3.  
  The groove 35 receiving the beam 37 possesses a shoulder 41 at the side directed towards the ski brake or brake mechanism 10, and which shoulder impacts against a stop 42 which is formed by a support or base 43 of the ski brake 10, such impact occurring during displacement of the bolt 34 towards the brake 10. The heel portion or component 1 therefore cannot be moved further than to the location of the stop 42; however it is possible by rotating the bolt 34 after, for instance, inserting a screw driver into a groove 44, to vary the spacing between the heel portion 1 and the shoulder 41.  
  The actuation of the control device 36 should occur automatically during insertion of the ski boot. For this purpose the heel portion 1 is adjusted such that upon inserting the ski boot it is displaced in the direction of the ski brake against the force of the sping 39. With the ski boot inserted into the binding the shoulder just bear against the stop 42, something that can be readily realized by carrying out a suitable turning or rotation at the groove or slot 44. The heel portion 1 therefore cannot be further displaced in the direction of the ski brake 10, however at the same time the control device 36 has been displaced parallel to the bolt 34 and has completed the transition from the arrested position of the ski brake into its preparatory position.  
  If the ski boot is released from the safety ski binding, for instance during a fall of the skier, then the spring 39 again pushes the heel portion of component 1 into the position depicted in FIG. 3, with the result that the bolts 38 release the brake jaws 16, 17 of the ski brake 10, so that they can rock beneath the running surface of the ski into the ski braking position.  
  What is important is that due to displacement of the heel portion or component 1 the control device or control mechanism 36 is actuated. The bolt unit 33, 34 is a push or impact element which is lengthwise adjustably connected with the sliding plate 31 of the heel portion 1. In this way there can be dispensed with the use of an actuation bracket 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2).  
  In FIG. 3 and 4 the mounting plate &#39;7, which possesses bores 45 for attachment with the ski, forms a coherent component with the base or support portion of the ski brake 10. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The use of the bolt unit 33, 34 as a push or impact element is also possible when the ski brake is secured to a separate base plate at the ski. The adjustment of the heel portion 1 as a function of the size of. the ski boot in the manner that with the ski boot inserted into the binding the shoulder 41 bears against the stop 42, does not require any common mounting plate 7 for the heel portion 1 and the ski brake 10.  
  While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. ACCORD- INGLY,  
 What is claimed is:  
  1. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings, comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrestedand preparatory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lenghtwise of the ski and constructed as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means said connection element comprising a traction element embodying said member and guided along the side binding for carrying out a substantially linear movement, an actuation bracket arranged at the region of the ski boot, means for mounting said actuation bracket on the ski, means for connecting said traction element with said actuation bracket, said traction element being arranged between said actuation bracket and said control device.  
  2. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrested and preparatory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lengthwise of the ski and constructued as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means, said connection element comprises a traction element incorporating said member and guided along the ski binding, said traction element comprising a transmission bracket located on the ski, said transmission bracket possessing two legs which extend to both sides along the ski binding in guide means and engage with the control device, said transmission bracket carrying out a stroke movement substantially parallel to the top surface of the ski for releasing the brake jaw from its arrested position into the preparatory position or upon carrying out an opposite stroke movement releasing the brake jaw, a strap, an actuation bracket coupled by means of said strap with the transmission bracket, means for mounting said actuation bracket on the ski, said legs carrying out a stroke movement by depressing or releasing the actuation bracket coupled via the strap with the transmission bracket.  
  3. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings, comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrestedand preparatory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lengthwise of the ski and constructed as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means, said member being a traction element, said traction element comprises a transmission bracket, said transmission bracket possessing a substantially U-shaped configuration having leg members, a beam, the ends of said leg members being coupled with said beam, said control device including bolt means actuating the ski brake means, said bolt means being mounted on said beam.  
  4. A ski brake for skiis, especially for used with safety ski bindings comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrestedand preparatory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lengthwise of the ski and constructed as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means, said connection element comprises a traction element incorporating said member and guided along the ski binding, an actuation bracket arranged at the region of the ski boot, means for mounting said actuation bracket on the ski, said traction element being connected with said actuation bracket, the traction element comprises a transmission bracket, means for pivotably mounting the actuation bracket on the top surface of the ski, a strap member engaging a base of the transmission bracket for con-- necting the actuation bracket with the transmission bracket, and the actuation bracket being raised by means of the spring means into a position which is inclined with respect to the top surface of the ski, in which the actuation bracket and the strap member possess dissimilar angles of inclination.  
  5. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings, comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the com trol device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding said ski brake means having at least one brake, jaw possessing a respective lockedposition for the arrestedand preparatory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lengthwise of the ski and constructed as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means, said connection element comprises a traction element incorporating said member and guided along the ski binding, an actuation bracket arranged at the region of the ski boot, said trac-, tion element being connected with said actuation bracket, a sole ledge, the actuation bracket and the spring means being mounted at the sole ledge, said traction element defining a transmission bracket, said transmission bracket having a base portion bearing at the sole ledge.  
  6. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings, comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to&#39;one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrested and pre-&#39; paratory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running 1 surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprising said connection element being arranged lengthwise of the I 7. A ski brake for skiis, especially for use with safety ski bindings comprising a ski brake means, a control device, a connection element which actuates the control device and arranged between the ski boot and the ski binding and a ski brake means, said ski brake means being arranged to one side of the ski binding, said ski brake means having at least one brake jaw possessing a respective locked position for the arrested-and pres paratory positions respectively, of the ski brake means and moving into a ski braking position at the running surface of the ski upon release of the ski binding, as  
 well as assuming the preparatory position upon actuation of the control device upon insertion of the ski boot into the ski binding, the improvement comprisingsaid connection element being arranged lengthwise of the ski and constructed as a member which can be actuated against the action of spring means, said connection element comprises a push rod embodying said member and movable substantially parallel to the actuation direction of the control device, said push rod being connected with a displaceable component of the ski bind-,  
  8. The ski brake as definedin claim &#39;7, wherein said displaceable component of the ski binding comprises a heel portion of the ski binding.  
 9. The ski brake as defined in claim 7, wherein the push rod possesses a shoulder adjustable relative to the displaceable component of the ski binding, a fixed stop means, said shoulder bearing against the fixed stop push rod possesses groove means, said control device having a beam bearing in said groove means and movable therewith.  
  12. The ski brake as defined in claim 7, further including a sliding plate at which there is mounted the displaceable component of the ski binding, a mounting plate and a protective plate forming two groove means, said sliding plate being guided for lengthwise movement in said two groove guide means.