Ski boot and binding system comprising a ski boot and a ski binding

Abstract

The invention provides a ski boot ( 12 ) which comprises an opening ( 18 a , 18 b ) in each of opposing lateral, front boot portions, the openings ( 18 a , 18 b ) defining an opening axis (Q) along which bearing bolts ( 32 a , 32 b ) of a ski binding ( 14 ) may be introduced into the openings ( 18 a , 18 b ), in order to hold the ski boot ( 12 ) on the ski binding ( 14 ) such that it can pivot about the opening axis (Q), at least one of the openings ( 18 a , 18 b ) comprising at least one inner bearing portion ( 42 ) for bearing against an outer circumferential portion ( 50 ) of the bearing bolt ( 32 a , 32 b ), the bearing portion ( 42 ) allowing displacement of the bearing bolt ( 32 a , 32 b ) in the direction of the opening axis (Q) and a pivoting movement of the bearing bolt ( 32 a , 32 b ) about the opening axis (Q), but substantially preventing displacement or a pivoting movement of the bearing bolt ( 32 a , 32 b ) in other directions.

1 . A ski boot, comprising:
 an opening in each of opposing lateral, front boot portions, wherein the openings define an opening axis along which at least one bearing bolt of a ski binding is introducible into at least one of the openings along the opening axis, in order to hold the ski boot on the ski binding such that the ski boot can pivot about the opening axis,   wherein at least one of the openings comprises at least one bearing portion, which is configured to come into bearing contact with a top and/or a bottom of the associated at least one bearing bolt, in order to block the at least one bearing bolt from sliding vertically out of the opening, and   wherein the at least one bearing portion comprises a substantially horizontally extending bearing face.   
     
     
         2 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the openings is defined horizontally by a release portion which comprises a release surface extending obliquely to the opening axis, and wherein the release surface is configured to allow the at least one bearing bolt, which is introducible into the opening, to slip and slide on the release surface horizontally out of the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the openings is arranged between two mutually facing, substantially horizontally extending bearing faces. 
     
     
         4 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the openings comprises at least one inner bearing portion for bearing against an outer circumferential portion of the at least one bearing bolt,
 wherein the at least one inner bearing portion is configured to allow displacement of the at least one bearing bolt in the direction of the opening axis and a pivoting movement of the at least one bearing bolt about the opening axis, and   wherein the at least one inner bearing portion is configured to substantially prevent displacement or a pivoting movement of the at least one bearing bolt in other directions.   
     
     
         5 . The ski boot according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one inner bearing portion defines a cylindrical circumferential surface surrounding the opening axis. 
     
     
         6 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing portion is formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface substantially surrounding the opening axis. 
     
     
         7 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the openings is formed in an insert, which is integrated into a sole portion of the ski boot. 
     
     
         8 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the openings comprises an admission surface at a mouth of the at least one opening, over which the at least one bearing bolt is displaceable in a direction extending transversely of the opening axis prior to entry into the at least one opening, and wherein the admission surface is configured to guide the at least one bearing bolt to the opening axis. 
     
     
         9 . A binding system, comprising:
 a ski boot, wherein the ski boot comprises an opening in each of opposing lateral, front boot portions, wherein the openings define an opening axis along which at least one bearing bolt of a ski binding is introducible into at least one of the openings along the opening axis, in order to hold the ski boot on the ski binding such that the ski boot can pivot about the opening axis,
 wherein at least one of the openings comprises at least one bearing portion, which is configured to come into bearing contact with a top and/or a bottom of the associated at least one bearing bolt, in order to block the at least one bearing bolt from sliding vertically out of the opening, and 
 wherein the at least one bearing portion comprises a substantially horizontally extending bearing face; and 
   a ski binding, wherein the ski binding comprises two clamping levers, which each comprise a bearing bolt, which are introducible into an associated one of the openings in the ski boot.   
     
     
         10 . The binding system according to  claim 9 , wherein the clamping levers are attached to a ski or to an element of the binding system or are constructed firmly on the binding system, wherein movement of the bearing bolts, in relation to the ski or the binding system, for adjusting the ski binding between a closed position and an open position is accompanied by an elastic deformation of at least one of the clamping levers. 
     
     
         11 . The binding system according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the clamping levers comprises a gripping portion configured to allow the clamping lever to be move manually in order to move the bearing bolt of the at least one clamping lever toward an opening direction. 
     
     
         12 . The binding system according to  claim 9 , wherein the ski binding further comprises a release mechanism, which is configured to exert a predetermined tension force on the clamping levers in a closed position of the ski binding, such that the tension force presses the bearing bolts into the associated openings in the ski boot,
 wherein at least one of the openings in the ski boot is delimited horizontally by a release portion and vertically by the at least one bearing portion,   wherein the binding system is configured such that, in the closed position of the ski binding, a horizontal force between the at least one opening and the bearing bolt is capable of causing the bearing bolt to slide horizontally out of the opening against the tension force of the ski binding, wherein the horizontal force extends horizontally and orthogonally to the opening axis and has an absolute value which is greater than or equal to a predetermined fall release force, and   wherein the binding system is further configured such that, in the closed position of the ski binding, a vertical force between the at least one opening and the bearing bolt is capable of causing the bearing bolt to bear vertically against the bearing portion and is prevented from sliding out of the opening, wherein the vertical force extends vertically and orthogonally to the opening axis and has an absolute value which is greater than or equal to a predetermined fall release force.   
     
     
         13 . The ski boot according to  claim 7 , wherein the insert is made of metal. 
     
     
         14 . The binding system according to  claim 11 , wherein the gripping portion is a gripping lever.