Tensioning device

(42) Date of commencement of the patent: 15. 2. 1994 (45) Date of issue: 25.10.1994 (56) Documentation:

(73)

Patentee:

US-PS 5001817 US-PS 4799297 EP-B 27222 DE-Al-3635168 ATTREZZATURE MECCANISMI MINUTERIE SRL EP-A2 + A3 56953 W0-A1-79 / 00770 1-31020 VIDOR (IT).

EP-A1 155596 EP-A2 + A3 297342 (54) TENSIONING DEVICE (57) Tensioning device for a sports shoe, which has a base part (1) which can be fastened to the sports shoe, in which a cable pulley (6) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotary body (17) , which one with a blocking (24. 27) on the base part (1) cooperating toothing (21) has .. The rotary body is further loaded with an axial spring (16) and can assume an initial position (A), a middle position (B) and a freewheeling position (C) by axial mobility. The base part (1) has an intermediate ring (12) supported thereon, with the rotary body (17) via a spring-loaded locking piece (19) and a further toothing (14), consisting of n segments, each with a helical sliding edge and a blocking edge, so coupled that the spring-loaded locking piece (19) moves by axial movement of the rotary body (17) against the axial spring (16) in the middle position (B) against the QQ axial spring (16) along a locking edge and then along a sliding edge until the next locking edge whereby the rotary body (17) is rotated by a certain angle and axially returns to the starting position (A).

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AT 398 158

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AT 398 158 Β

The invention relates to a tensioning device for a sports shoe, especially a ski boot, which has a base element attachable to the sports shoe, in which a rotatable rope pulley connected to an axially movable rotary body is arranged for a rope, wherein the handle having a rotary body is loaded in the axial direction by means of an axial spring and can assume a starting position due to the axial mobility, in which a toothing on the rotary body cooperates with a blockage on the base part, to prevent rotation against the pulling direction of the rope, and can take a freewheeling position against the force of the axial spring when pressure is applied to the handle, in which the blocking of the toothing is released and the rotary body is freely rotatable in both directions.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,001,817 and 4,799,297 (Nordica) disclose ski boot tensioners, a housing with a drum for receiving at least one cable, have a rotary knob for tensioning the cable and an axially lying front toothing with a releasable lock, wherein this lock is formed by a special metal wing or a spring-loaded counter-toothing and can be disengaged by pressing on the push-button with the axial Stirnverhahnung.

Similarly, EP B 27 222 (Nordica) discloses a device for actuating the instep pressure element of a ski boot with a rope extending over the shoe in the instep area and connected to a winding roller rotating with a button which is rotatable and axially movable on a body is stored, wherein both the body and the knob has a spur toothing and these teeth can be separated from each other by pulling the button against spring force.

Furthermore, from the publications DE-A1-3 635 168, EP-A2 + A3-56 953, W0-A1 -79 / 00770, EP-A-1155 596 and EP-A2 + A3-297 342 follower and freewheel devices with face gears, Perforated discs, individually engaging teeth or wings or with a plurality of gears known.

Although, according to the prior art, after the cable has been tensioned, such tensioning devices can be relaxed in steps, a controlled step-by-step relaxing of these devices in small steps is not possible. Furthermore, such devices must be made much more compact for practical purposes and adapted to the footwear.

It is therefore an object of the invention by a special compact mechanical solution to allow controlled relaxation of a cable in small steps.

This task is solved by that an intermediate ring supported on the base part with the rotary body via a locking piece and a further toothing which consists of n segments with helical flanks formed in each case in the axial direction and radially formed blocking flanks, so coupled that by axially moving the rotary body against the axial spring force in a middle position between the starting position and the freewheeling position, the spring-loaded locking piece, which rests against a blocking edge, first moves against the axial spring force along this locking edge and in the presence of a cable in the sequence with simultaneous movement in the direction of the axial spring force along the sliding edge until the next locking edge, whereby the rotary body is rotated by a certain angle and axially returned to the starting position.

The invention with the resulting advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, which is shown in the drawings (Fig. 1 to 5). In these show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of the device according to the invention,

2a shows a section through the longitudinal central axis of the device in exploded view and Figure 2b shows this section through the assembled device,

3a, 3b a horizontal section through the device, on which the operation of the pawl teeth can be seen,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the device, on which the operation of the intermediate ring gear is visible and

Figure 5 shows a detail of the toothing according to the invention on the intermediate ring.

According to Figures 1 and 2, the base part 1 of the device, which simultaneously represents the housing, in two parts with a base 2, which is generally adapted to the shoe shape and attachable to the sports shoe, and a top 30 executed, which forms the corresponding cover of the tensioning device , In the central region of the base part 2 is a cylindrical recess 3 for receiving a pulley 6, which is rotatably supported by a cylindrical projection 8 in a central bore 4 of the base part 2. At the two lateral flanks of the base part 2 are in the region of the median plane grooves 5, 5 'for the cable 45, which open at different axial height in the cylindrical recess 3 and in which the cable 45 slides upon actuation of the device.

The pulley 6, the outer diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the recess 3, has on the cylindrical outer surface of two Seiirillen 7, 7 ', in which two ropes 45 at

AT 398 158 B certain points of the circumference are fixed in a known manner. At the cylindrical projection 8 opposite side, the pulley 6 in the axial direction a central pin 9 for the rotationally fixed connection with a rotary body 17, which has a recess 23 which is a counterpart to the pin 9 and the rotationally fixed, but axially movable coupling with the pulley 6 is used, said pin 9 has a central recess 11 for receiving a Axiaifeder 16. As shown in FIG. 1 and 4 can be seen, the non-rotatable and axially displaceable coupling is realized in the illustrated embodiment by the hexagonal pin 9 and the mating recess 23, between which the axial spring 16 may act further, the pulley 6 has an annular recess 10 whose outer diameter at least the Diameter of the rotary body 17 corresponds, since this, as shown in FIG. 2b can be seen, in a movement against the Axiaifeder 16 penetrates into this recess 10.

According to the invention, between the pulley 6 and the rotary body 17 there is an intermediate ring 12 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, has a special toothing 14 with n uniform segments on the cylindrical inner surface, each consisting of sliding flanks 114 ', 214', ..., n14 '. and blocking flanks 114, 214,..., n14, wherein, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the sliding flanks 114 ', 214',.

Π14 'tangential, helically formed walls and the locking edges 114, 214 ..... nl4 lying in the axial direction, radially oriented triangular surfaces. Below this internal toothing 14, the intermediate ring 12 on the inside a flat cylindrical inner surface 12 ', whose diameter is greater than or equal to the diameter of the rotating body 17. On the outer circumference of the intermediate ring is further a tangentially located recess 13 for supporting a tangential spring 15, by which the intermediate ring 12 is resiliently supported on a correspondingly arranged nose 35 of the base part 1.

On the internal toothing 14 of the intermediate ring 12 according to the invention acts in a lateral recess 20 of the rotary body 17 resiliently mounted locking piece 19th This substantially elongated locking piece 19 has at one end a seat 19 'for acting on this locking piece spring force 18 and is chamfered at the opposite end 19 for adaptation to the internal teeth 14. In the axial direction, this front edge 19 of the locking piece 19 is substantially parallel to the front edge of a locking flank of the internal toothing 14 (see FIG. 4). In another embodiment, the locking piece 19 may be formed as a rotatably mounted Kinkenstück or self-resilient locking lug.

In a further Ansführungsform, which is not shown here, arranged in the illustrated embodiment on the inner surface teeth 14 may optionally be disposed on the outside of the intermediate ring 12, on / in the rotary body 17, or on the base part 1, whereby the locking piece 19 thus at the intermediate ring 12 or is mounted on the base part 1 in order to be able to act on the internal toothing 14 according to the invention.

The axially movable rotary body 17 has on the cylindrical outer surface further a pawl toothing 21 which cooperates with a block 24, 27 so that a rotation of the rotary body 17 and thus the pulley 6 in the pulling direction of the cable 45 is prevented. At the side facing away from the pulley 6, the rotary body as a handle on a pressure pin 22 which is rotatably connected to a rotatably mounted on the base knob 38, with respect to the knob 22, however, axially displaceable.

The blocking of the pawl teeth 21 consists of one or more spring-loaded, arranged along a circle locking lugs 27 which are rotatably mounted by means of axes 28 in holes 33 of the base member 1 and loaded with an open spring ring 24 toward pawl teeth 21, wherein the spring ring 24 through an opening 25 is secured to a detent 34 of the base part 1 against rotation. Likewise, these locking lugs 27 may also be loaded with springs of other types, or be selbstfedernd.

The second part of the housing is formed by the upper part 30, which, like the base part 2, has flanks on both sides, which cover the cable grooves 5, 5 '. In the center of the upper part 30 has an opening 37 through which the free end of the pressure pin 22 of the rotary body 17 is led out of the housing. On the underside of the upper part 30, the following recesses are provided in the housing: a cylindrical recess 31 for receiving the intermediate ring 12, which contains a nose 35 at one point of the circumference, on which the tangential spring 15 is mounted; a groove-shaped recess 32, which is an annular recess in the cylindrical recess 31 and serves to receive the spring ring 24, wherein the groove 32 has at least such a width, that the diameter of the spring ring, as in FIG. 3a, 3b can be seen, according to the radial movement of the locking lugs 27 is variable. The groove 32 is in the effective range of the locking lugs in the radial direction inwardly broken, so that the locking lugs 27 can engage the pawl teeth 21, and has at one point, between two locking lugs 27, a latching lug 34, secured by the spring ring 24 against rotation is. In the openings of the groove 32, in which the locking lugs 27 act, bores 33 are provided in the upper part 30 of the base part 1 along a circle, in which the axes 28 of the locking lugs

AT 398 158 Β are rotatably mounted.

At the top, the upper part 30 has an annular projection 36 on which a knob 38 is rotatably mounted, which has a snug fit axial recess 39 corresponding to the outer shape of the pressure pin 22, whereby this pressure pin 22 rotatably connected to the knob 38, but axially displaceable is stored. In the embodiment shown here, the Ansenform of the pressure pin and the mating recess 39 are formed hexagonal. The knob 38 has additionally in the region of this recess 39 a funnel-shaped recess 41 which allows for easier axial actuation of the pressure pin 22, and on the outer circumference webs or grooves, which ensure a non-slip rotation of the knob.

In a further embodiment, the pressure pin 22 may be integrally formed with the knob 38, wherein the base part 1 is divided along the median plane in the axial direction and thus no longer consists of basic or upper part but two approximately mirror-inverted side parts.

In the following, the operation of a tensioning device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein in particular the operation of the internal gear 14 on the intermediate ring 12 in connection with the locking piece 19 of the rotary body 17, as well as on the different axial positions of the rotary body is discussed ,

When the cable 45 is tensioned, the rotary body 17 is initially shown in FIG. 2b in the starting position (A), in which the locking lugs 27 corresponding to FIG. 3a are engaged in the toothing 21 of the rotary body 17. By turning the knob 38 in a clockwise direction, the rotating body 17 rotating therewith and the pulley 6 rotatably connected therewith rotate, thereby selectively winding one or two ropes 45 sliding in grooves 5, 5 'in corresponding grooves 7, 7' of the pulley 6 become. The locking lugs 27 are, while the rotary body 17 continues to rotate about a tooth of the internal teeth 14, rotated about the axis 28 and as shown in FIG. 3b deflected by the respective fence of the pawl teeth 21 radially outwardly, whereby the spring ring 24 is also urged radially outward. As soon as the rotary body has rotated further by one tooth of the pawl toothing 21, the sperms 27 snap due to the load of the spring ring 24, as shown in FIG. 3a can be seen, again in the pawl teeth 21, whereby the spring ring 24 also gets back to its original size. Such movements of the spring ring 24 and the locking lugs 27 are successively brought about by turning the knob 38 until the cable 45, the desired voltage prevails.

If now the device according to the invention, gradually and metered relaxed, so presses on the pressure pin 22, whereby the rotary body 17 is moved against the axial spring 16 in its center position B. In this middle position B, the locking lugs 27 are separated from the pawl teeth 21 and the locking piece 19 abuts a locking edge 114 of the internal teeth 14 of the intermediate ring 12, whereby initially a rotation of the rotating body 17 counterclockwise and thus relieving the Seiizuges is prevented. If the rotary body in this center position B by pressing on the pressure pin 22 continues to move against the axial spring 16, the locking piece 19 slides, as shown in FIG. 4 is indicated on the hand of the arrow X, first along this locking edge 114 and in the sequence corresponding to the arrow Y along the sliding edge 114 'until the locking piece rests against the next locking edge 214. The inventive construction of the internal toothing 14, the locking piece 19 and thus also the rotary body 17 is thereby moved in the direction of the force of the axial spring 16, whereby the rotary body 17 again reaches the starting position A, but is rotated by a certain angle. The angle of rotation by which the rotary body 17 and thus also the pulley 6 rotates upon a single actuation of this mechanism is substantially 360 / n degrees, where n is the number of Segemente, that is, the number of locking or Sliding edges of the internal teeth 14 is. Such movements of the locking pin on the internal toothing 14 of the intermediate ring are successively brought about by pressing the pressure pin 22 until the desired relief has occurred.

If the rotary body 17 is moved by pressing the push pin 22 against the axial spring 16 so far that the first applied to a locking edge 114 of the toothing 14 locking piece 19 no longer acts on the internal teeth 14, but only on the flat inner surface 12 'of the intermediate ring is located the rotary body in the freewheeling position C, in which the rotary body 17 and thus also the pulley 6 is freely rotatable in both directions and the cable is thus completely relaxed. By releasing the pressure pin 22, the rotary body 17 is brought back into its initial position A, which is mechanically equivalent to the original state before the tensioning of the cable 45.

In the Ansführungsform shown in Fig. 1 to 5 of the intermediate ring 12 is supported by means of the tangential spring 15 on the base part, that this intermediate ring 12 is rotatable by a certain angle, wherein the size of the rotation angle of the tangential spring 15, and the cable controlled is, so that these two sizes are each in equilibrium. This will cause the tensioning device when the rotating body

AT398 158 Β is brought into the middle position B, already slightly relieved before the entry into force of the Entlastmechansimus 14, 19 according to the invention. Further relief of the cable is achieved in the sequence, as described above, by successively moving the rotary body 17 from the starting position A to the middle position B by pressing on the pressure pin 22. The tangential spring 15, which is in the middle position B of the rotary body 17 with the cable in equilibrium and is constantly loaded, either when completely relieving the device by moving the rotary body 17 in the freewheeling position C, or when re-tensioning the device, by turning the knob 38 clockwise, relieved. Especially at high voltages of the cable 45, the stepwise relieving the device is particularly material-friendly and smoothly executable by this tangential spring 15.

Finally, it should be noted that the direction of rotation of the clamping device can be changed by a flat mechanical reversal of the teeth and ropes all up and unwindable traction means such. As strings, chains, metal, leather or plastic bands, can be used.