The present invention relates to auxiliary equipment which can be used for skiing, roller skiing, cross-country skiing, ski touring and off-piste skiing.

More specifically, the invention relates to a ski binding system, comprising a support structure which is fastened to a ski and carries a binding for footwear and which is able to assume a first operating configuration, where it is rigidly fastened to the ski, parallel thereto, and a second operating configuration, where it is hinged on the ski about a transverse axis of rota- tion situated behind the footwear and is able to pivot in a longitudinal plane at right angles to the ski, the front end of the support structure being connected to the ski by means of a kinematic mechanism forming a system for guiding the raising movement of the structure, the binding system being provided with a locking mechanism which can be operated so as to assume a locked position, where the support structure is rigidly fastened to the ski, and a re- leased position, where the support structure is able to pivot relative to the ski.

A binding system of this type, referred to as a "toe-lifting" binding system, forms the subject of WO 2011/114319 in the name of the same Applicant. One object of the present invention is to provide an innovative locking mechanism for binding systems of the type defined above so as to improve further the characteristics of lightness and ease-of-use of the binding system, allowing rapid locking or releasing of the pivoting support structure of the binding for the shoe or boot, for example for cross-country skiing or ski touring.

The invention therefore relates to a binding system having the characteristic features mentioned above, where the locking mechanism comprises an actuating element, which is mounted movably on the support structure and associated with a resilient recall member, and a base plate, which is fixed to the ski and carries an engaging formation able to be engaged by a locking pin arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski and mounted on said actuating element, wherein in said locked position the locking pin is biased against the engaging formation by the resilient recall member and can be disengaged therefrom by means of displacement of the actuating member against the action of the resilient recall member. Particular modes of implementation form the subject of the dependent claims, the contents of which are to be understood as forming an integral part of the present description.

Further characteristic features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description provided purely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toe-lifting binding system provided with the locking mechanism according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the locking mechanism in a locked position;

Figures 3 to 5 are detailed views of components of the mechanism according to Figure

2;

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to those of Figure 2, where the locking mechanism is shown during disengagement from the locked position and in a released position, respectively;

Figure 1 shows a dual-movement binding system 1, with a toe binding 3 incorporated or designed to be used with a toe binding 3 of the known type and including a toe-lifting or raising device. The binding system according to the invention, which can be used in particular in downhill skiing, cross-country skiing or ski touring, is denoted generally by the reference number 1. The binding system 1 comprises a pivoting support structure 2 formed by at least one longitudinal beam and preferably by a pair of parallel longitudinal beams which allow simultaneously the connection to a front kinematic mechanism 14 and fixing of a binding of the known type, for example a binding provided with a system for front hinging of the shoe or boot. The pivoting structure 2 is connected to a fastening plate (not shown) which is fixed to the ski 12 and which carries a hinge (not shown), which is preferably double and transverse to the longitudinal extension of the ski, or similarly a flexible transverse section. This hinge or flexible section defines an articulation for the structure carrying the bindings, about a transverse axis behind the footwear.

A kinematic mechanism 14 is provided on the front section and forms a system for guiding or limiting the raising movement of the beams, by means of which the front end of the support structure 2 (or the beams) is hingeably connected to the ski 12. For a detailed description of this kinematic mechanism reference should be made to the publication WO 2011/114319 incorporated here by way of reference. The binding system 1 is provided with a locking mechanism 20 which can be operated so as to be able to assume a locked position, where the support structure 2 is rigidly fastened to the ski 12, and a released position, where the support structure is able to pivot relative to the ski 12. As can be seen in Figures 2-5, the locking mechanism 20 comprises an actuating element 23 mounted movably on the support structure 2 and associated with an (at least one) resilient recall member 27. With reference in particular to Figures 1 and 3, the actuating element 23 comprises at least one plate element, preferably a pair of plate elements, and a locking pin 22 which interconnects these plate elements. The plate elements of the actuating element 23 are moreover interconnected by means of an actuating pin 23 a. Each of the plate elements of the actuating element 23, in a side elevation view, has an obtuse-angle configuration, a first arm of which is arranged parallel to the respective beam of the support structure 2, and a second arm of which is arranged inclined and projecting at the top relative to said support structure 2. The locking pin 22 interconnects the first arms of the plate elements and also projects laterally beyond them, as can be seen in Figure 1. The actuating pin 23 a interconnects the second arms of the plate elements, forming a kind of handle. Each of the plate elements also has an eyelet 23b extending along the respective first arm.

Each of the beams of the support structure 2 has a respective eyelet 25 which is engaged by one end of the locking pin 22, thus defining a sliding guide for the locking pin. On the inner side face, each of the beams of the support structure 2 has a guiding projection 26 which en- gages with a respective eyelet 23b of the plate elements of the actuating element 23. In this way, the actuating element 23 is fastened to the support structure 2, being able to slide a lim- ited distance along the beams of the support structure. During this sliding movement the actuating element is biased by the resilient recall member 27, for example one or more springs, which at one end is connected to the actuating element 23 and at the other end is connected to the support structure 2.

The locking mechanism also comprises a base plate 24 which is fixed to the ski 12 and carries an engaging formation 28 designed to be engaged by the locking pin 22. As can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5 (side elevation and plan view), the base plate 24 has a plurality of projections (one pair of which forms the engaging formation 28) between which a seat for displacement of the locking pin 22 is defined. In particular, the engaging formation 28 defines a recess 28a directed on the opposite side to the direction of the resilient force exerted by the resilient recall member. According to a plan view, the engaging formations 28 are arranged, in the lateral direction, more towards the centre than the plate elements of the actuating element 23 which are in turn arranged more towards the centre than the beams of the sup- port structure 2. The resilient recall member 27 therefore occupies a central position and is connected to the locking pin 22. In Figures 2, 6 and 7, the resilient recall member is shown not connected to the pin, but generally to the actuating element 23, for the sake of simplicity of the illustration. Figure 2 shows the locking mechanism in the locked position. The locking pin 22 of the actuating element 23 is biased against the engaging formation 28 by the resilient recall member 27 (under tensile stress).

By exerting a sufficient pulling force on the gripping handle formed by the actuating pin 23a of the actuating element 23 opposing the force of the resilient recall member, the locking pin 22 can be disengaged from the engaging formation, causing displacement of the actuating element 23 (Figure 6). If the actuating element 23 is then released, the locking pin 22 returns resiliently against the engaging formation 28. If, on the other hand, the support structure 2 is moved relative to the ski 12 so as to move its front part away from the latter, releasing the actuating element 23, the locking pin 22 slides along the beams of the support structure 2 without encountering any obstacles and stops upon reaching the equilibrium position of the resilient recall member 27 or when the actuating element 23 reaches an end-of-travel stop which may be provided on the support structure 2 (position shown in Figure 7). The support structure 2 is therefore free to pivot relative to the ski 12. In addition to the functions described above, the plate elements of the actuating element 23 also have the function of freeing, in the released position, a sufficient lateral space each beam of the support structure 2 and the base plate 24 so that, during the pivoting movement of the beams, any resilient deformation of the system does not result in collision with the base plate 24.

Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the locking mechanism according to the invention. Parts which correspond to those of the preceding embodiment have been assigned the same reference numbers; these parts will not be further described. Figure 8 also shows an operating lever 31 of the type known per se, which can be operated so as to release a binding for the toe of a boot.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the locking mechanism comprises an actuating element 33 which is mounted movably on the support structure 2; more precisely, it is mounted on the operating lever 31 arranged on the support structure 2. The actuating element 33 comprises at least one plate element, preferably a pair of plate elements which are interconnected and arranged on opposite sides of the operating lever 31. The plate elements of the actuating element 33 each have a pair of eyelets, inside which a locking pin 32, extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski, and a hinging pin 33b fixed to the operating lever 31, are slidably arranged. The locking pin 32 is connected to the hinging pin 33b by means of a compression spring 39. The arrangement described above allows the actuating element 33 to rotate about the hinging pin 33b and to be displaced with respect to the hinging lever 31. Also envisaged is a resilient recall member 37, for example one or more traction springs which at one end is connected to the locking pin 23 and at the other end is connected to the support structure 2.

Moreover, the locking mechanism comprises a base plate 24 with an engaging formation 28, these being similar to those described with reference to the preceding embodiment. In Figure 8, the dark-shaded circles A, B and C indicate the positions of the locking pin 32 in the different positions of the locking mechanism; in particular the position B corresponds to a locked position similar to that shown in Figure 2 of the mechanism forming part of the pre- ceding embodiment, the position A corresponds to disengagement from the locked position, similar to that shown in Figure 6, and the position C corresponds to a released position similar to that shown in Figure 7. For the sake of simplicity, in Figure 8 the resilient recall member is shown connected to the pin only in the position C, while the actuating member 33 is shown in the position associated with the position A of the locking pin.

From the locked position B, if the release lever 31 of the binding is lowered, causing it to rotate about its hinging axis x, via the hinging pin 33b and the compression spring 39, the locking pin 32 is pushed out of the engaging formation 28 against the action of the resilient recall member 37. Disengagement of the locking pin 32 from the engaging formation 28 (position B) is thus achieved.

At this point the support structure 2 may be rotated, moving its front part away from the ski. If the release lever 31 is released, the action of the resilient recall member moves the locking pin 32 into the position shown in Figure C where it is no longer able to interfere with the en- gaging formation 28. The support structure 2 may therefore pivot freely relative to the ski.

In order to lock again the support structure 2 against the ski, it is sufficient to lower again the operating lever 31 and reposition the support structure 2 against the ski, so that the locking pin may reach the position A. From here, by releasing the operating lever, the locking pin 32 passes into the locked position B as a result of the resilient force of the resilient recall member 37.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, in order to operate the locking mechanism according to the invention, it is therefore necessary to operate the release lever 31 of the boot binding.

Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the invention which, unlike that shown in Figure 8, does not require operation of the release lever 31. In Figures 9 and 10, parts which correspond to those of the preceding embodiments have been assigned the same reference numbers; these parts will not be further described. In the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the locking mechanism comprises an actuating element, or lever, 43, which is mounted movably on the support structure 2; more precisely, the actuating lever 43 is mounted rotatably on the operating lever 31 arranged on the support structure 2. The actuating lever 43 is able to rotate about an axis y arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski. At one of its ends, the actuating lever 43 has a locking pin 42, extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ski. Also envisaged is a resilient recall member 47, for example a traction spring (visible in Figure 10) mounted on the axis of rotation of the actuating lever 43.

In order to strengthen further the locking mechanism, the locking pin 42 and/or the end of the actuating lever 43 adjacent thereto are provided with a contact cover 49 which, resting on the movable link of the kinematic mechanism 14, increases the resistance to lifting and to the torque imparted to the system during the downhill movements.

Moreover, the locking mechanism comprises a base plate 24 with an engaging formation 28, these being similar to those described with reference to the preceding embodiment.

In the locked position shown in Figure 9, the locking pin 42 is engaged with the engaging formation 28 of the base plate 24. If the actuating lever 43 is rotated about its hinging axis y (in the anti-clockwise direction in Figure 10, arrow Al), the locking pin 42 is pushed out of the engaging formation 28 against the action of the resilient recall member 47. This thus causes disengagement of the locking pin 42 from the engaging formation 28.

At this point the support structure 2 may be rotated, moving its front part away from the ski (as shown in the top part of Figure 9). If the actuating lever 43 is released, the action of the resilient recall member moves the locking pin 42 into the position shown in the top part of Figure 10 (arrow A2) where it is no longer able to interfere with the engaging formation 28. The support structure 2 may therefore pivot freely relative to the ski.

In order to lock again the support structure 2 against the ski, it is sufficient to lower again the actuating lever 43 and reposition the support structure 2 against the ski. From here, by releas- ing the operating lever, the locking pin 42 passes into the locked position shown in Figure 9 as a result of the resilient force of the resilient recall member 47.

Obviously, without affecting the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details may be greatly modified with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of a non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.