EP0648142B1 - Device for holding a boot in position on a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for holding a boot on a snowboard, especially, but not exclusively, a snowsurfing board. The device includes a longitudinal shaped support bar (6a, 6b), a support runner (12), and holding means (14) for the end of the boot. The slide (12) is slidingly mounted along the support bar (6a, 6b) which includes a rack (18a, 18b) extending along at least part of its length. The device is characterised by a pushing device (34) with teeth (30, 31), which is guided in a vertical receptacle of the slide (12) and which cooperates with the notches of the rack (18a, 18b) to stop the slide in a predetermined longitudinal position. When the pushing device (22) is in a raised position, it prevents engagement of the boot.

Description

The invention relates to a device for retaining a boot on a gliding board, such as in particular but not exclusively a snowboard.

Snowboarding is a sliding sport that is practiced by means of an elongated board, the front end of which is raised to form the tip. The user's two shoes are retained on the board by retaining elements. Generally, they are immobilized one beside the other on the longitudinal axis defined by the board, and it forms with this longitudinal axis an angle which can vary from 5 to 90 ° on one side or the other. of the axis.

There are many devices for retaining a shoe on such a gliding device. To improve the comfort of the surfer and the performance of the board, the currently known devices generally have adjustments, such as adjustment of the orientation of the feet relative to the longitudinal axis of the board, adjustment of inclination relative to a direction perpendicular to the board, if necessary adjusting the distance between the two feet, ie between the two retaining devices.

Also, to allow the adaptation of the gliding apparatus to shoes of a different nature, length or volume, the currently existing retaining devices are generally equipped with means making it possible to adapt them to different shoe lengths.

Thus, we know from the Swiss patent published under number 677 192 a snowboard binding comprising a slender plate orientable around an axis perpendicular to the board. Towards each of its ends, the plate is equipped with a sliding sliding carriage, on which the shoe sole is intended to rest. The carriage carries a stirrup which is intended to retain an end piece of the shoe. The longitudinal position of the carriage along the plate is defined using a latch fitted with a tooth which engages in one of the openings which the plate has along the longitudinal sliding direction.

Such a device gives good results, but it requires the use of a tool such as a screwdriver to disengage the lock for a new position adjustment.

We also know from the French patent application published under number 2 626 189 a binding of the same type comprising two movable carriages, each equipped with a stirrup for retaining one end of the shoe. The longitudinal position of each carriage relative to the plate which carries it is here produced by means of a long screw oriented in the longitudinal direction of the plate. Such a device also gives good results but requires, like the previous one, the use of a tool to carry out an adjustment. Another drawback of this type of device is that the screw tends to turn itself over time, due to vibrations or shocks to which the board is subjected. Therefore the length adjustment of the retainer is not table in time.

We know from European patent application 398 794 a snowboard binding comprising two sliding carriages.

The position of each of the carriages is fixed by a bolt actuated by a mobile pusher. The pushers are carried and guided by arches integral with the carriages, and they are located set back relative to the carriage with which they are associated respectively.

This recessed position makes the pushers relatively vulnerable. In addition, in its movement, and in its locking function, the pusher guides itself on the hoop, but also on the bolt. The operating conditions of the pusher are not optimal because the guide means and the locking means interfere in their function.

One of the aims of the invention is to improve the design of such a pusher.

One of the aims of the present invention is also to propose a device for retaining a boot on a sliding board for which the adjustment of adaptation to the length of a boot does not require the use of a specific tool for setting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for which this adjustment can be carried out manually.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for which the engagement of the boot in the retaining device is not possible if the adjustment is not carried out completely.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows, this description being however given by way of indication, and not limitation.

The device for retaining a boot on a sliding board according to the invention comprises a longitudinal support profile extending in an approximately horizontal plane, a support carriage with an upper support surface for at least part of the shoe sole, a retaining means for connecting the end of the shoe to the support trolley at least in a longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction, the support trolley being slidably mounted along the profile, moreover, the profile having at least one rack over at least part of its length, the carriage being fitted with a pusher to cooperate with the rack of the profile and allowing the carriage to be immobilized in different longitudinal positions of the profile, the pusher being movable between a low position where it is located under the upper bearing surface of the carriage, and a high position where it projects in part with respect to this e surface.

It is characterized by the fact that the carriage has at its central part a housing opening at its upper surface, that the movable pusher is slidably mounted in the housing and that it has dimensions in section corresponding to the dimensions of the housing.

The invention will be understood by referring to the description below, as well as to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a retaining device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the front of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the various elements visible in FIG. 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 represents seen from below, in perspective, the pusher present in FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 represents a retaining device according to a first implementation of the invention. The device comprises a central base 1 which is intended to be assembled to the gliding board by any suitable means. If necessary, the base is supported by a base not visible in the figures. The base is itself assembled to the board for example by screws, and the base is mounted adjustable in orientation relative to the base around an axis perpendicular to the board. Such an axis is shown diagrammatically at 2 in FIG. 1, and there has also been shown diagrammatically at 3 a central button which makes it possible to lock the base in rotation about axis 2. Such an assembly is known to those skilled in the art, and is not limiting for the invention.

The base 1 carries a slender profile 5. The profile 5 extends parallel to the horizontal plane of the gliding board and defines a longitudinal direction which corresponds to the longitudinal direction defined by a shoe sole.

Referring to Figure 1, the profile is formed in two parts, a front part 6, a rear part 7 which extend in the extension of one another in the longitudinal direction of each side of the base 1. Each part is constituted by a metal arch in the shape of a "U" whose lateral branches, respectively 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b are parallel. Each part of the profile 5 is integrally connected to the base 1.

A support carriage 10, 11 is slidably mounted along each profile part 6, 7. For this purpose, each carriage 10, 11 has an orifice 20, 21 which is crossed by the branches 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b of the profile 5. In the example illustrated, the orifices 20 and 21 are longitudinal orifices of oblong section whose large dimension extends in a horizontal plane, and corresponds substantially to the spacing between the two branches of each part of the profile. The space between the branches of the profile could be closed by an insert. Each orifice of oblong section could also be replaced by two individual orifices for each of the branches of the profile.

The branches 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b carry the carriages 10, 11 and guide them in longitudinal sliding.

Each support carriage has at its upper surface a bearing surface 12, 13 for the shoe sole. In addition, each support carriage 10, 11 is equipped with means for retaining one end of the shoe. This retaining means is of a known type. It is represented in the figure in the form of a stirrup 14, 15, the shape of which is defined to take hold on each of the toes of a traditional shoe. The stirrup 15 is also equipped with a lever 16 which makes it possible to engage and release the shoe voluntarily in the retaining stirrups. Naturally any other suitable means of restraint is suitable.

To adjust the longitudinal position of the carriages along the profile 5, at least one branch of each part 6, 7 of the profile 5, and preferably the two branches, have over a part of their length a succession of notches or notches forming a rack. Preferably, the notches are located on the internal side of the branches, that is to say the side facing the other branch of the part 6 or 7, and they are cut from the branches in a vertical direction. The racks 18a, 18b and 19 thus formed pass through the orifices 20, 21 of the carriages 10, 11 when the latter slide longitudinally along the profile 5.

Each carriage is in turn fitted with a pusher, respectively 22 for the carriage 12, 23 for the carriage 13.

The two pushers 22 and 23 are similar and only the pushbutton 22 of the carriage 12 will now be described in detail.

The pusher 22 generally has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. It is mounted in a vertical housing 26 located in the central part of corresponding dimensions of the carriage 22. The housing 26 opens onto the upper surface of the carriage. Preferably, it crosses the carriage from side to side. The pusher 22 then has a thickness close to the thickness of the carriage 12 at this level.

The housing 26 and the pusher 22 have a width substantially equal to the spacing between the internal sides of the branches 6a and 6b of the profit 5. Along its lateral faces 28 and 29, the pusher has a toothing comprising two teeth 30, 31 projecting, oriented in a vertical direction whose cross-sectional dimensions are equal to or slightly less than the cross-sectional dimensions of the notches 18 of the rack. In section, the notches and teeth have all appropriate complementary shapes, rectangular, semi-circular, trapezoidal or other. In the height direction, the teeth 30, 31 extend in the upper part of the pusher over only part of its height. Their position and height are determined so that the teeth are engaged in notches 18 of the racks 18a, 18b when the pusher is in the low position, and that the teeth are released from the racks 18a, 18b when the pusher is in the high position. That is to say that in the high position of the pusher, the carriage can slide freely along the profit. The pusher can be brought into the low position when its teeth are located opposite notches of the rack 18a, 18b. In this low position of the pusher, the carriage is immobilized in the longitudinal position along the profit 5 by meshing of the teeth 30, 31 in notches of the rack.

In the high position of the pusher, part of the pusher protrudes outside the carriage upwards. FIG. 2 represents the pusher 22 in the high position.

In the low position, the pusher is retracted inside the carriage and its upper surface is flush with that of the carriage. In Figure 1, the pusher is in such a low position.

Thus, the low or high position of the pusher constitutes a visual check indicating whether the longitudinal adjustment operation has been completed correctly or not. In addition, in the high position of the pusher, it is not possible to correctly engage the shoe in its stirrup and to keep it there. In the high position, also, the pusher has a projecting part which it suffices to push manually downwards to immobilize the carriage relative to the notches of the rack.

In the low position of the pusher, engagement of the shoe is possible without difficulty. During the practice of gliding, the presence of the shoe bearing on the upper surface of the carriage prevents any lifting of the push-button, whether accidental or not.

Preferably, stops limit the vertical stroke of the pusher and define its high position and its low position. The low position is limited by two transverse flanges located in the upper part of the pusher. These flanges are housed in cavities 35, 36 at the periphery of the housing 26. Advantageously, these flanges have a width close to the thickness of the wall of the carriage under the cavities 35, 36, so that they overlap the front and rear faces of the carriage, and also constitute gripping means making it possible to manually grasp the pusher for example by pinching and to pull it from its low position to its high position.

The high position of the pusher is defined by the support of two flanges 39, 40 that the pusher carries at the lower part of its lateral faces 28 and 29 against the branches 6a and 6b of the profile. The space between the flanges 39, 40 and the teeth 30, 31 is close to the diameter of the branches 6a, 6b.

For example, the teeth 30, 31 extend in the upper part of the lateral faces 28, 29 of the pusher over a height close to the diameter of the branches 6a, 6b and under the teeth 30, 31 the pusher has up to the edges 39 , 40 of the bare side faces over a height close to the diameter of the branches 6a, 6b of the profile 5. Rounding can reduce these heights while keeping a good grip of the teeth in the notches of the rack.

Naturally any suitable means can be added to mark the low and high position of the pusher with a hard point which must be overcome to move from one position to another.

The base, the carriage and the pusher are made of any suitable material, for example plastic or metal alloy. The profile is for example made of a bent metal wire to form the two U-shaped parts 6 and 7 of the profile 5.

The carriage and the pusher are assembled on the profile by any appropriate means. For example, the flanges 33 and 34, or else 39 and 40 are constituted by an added plate which is assembled to the pusher by a reversible or non-reversible assembly means, for example screws or clips. The carriage is then engaged on its profile part, then the pusher is threaded into its housing 26, finally the plate carrying the flanges is assembled with the pusher. Any other suitable mounting method is also suitable. For example, in the case of parts made of plastic, it can be assembled by playing on their own elasticity and forcing the pusher into position in the carriage.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a variant implementation of the invention. According to this variant, the profile 55 is a plate oriented generally in a horizontal plane. The plate is connected to the board by any suitable means.

The support carriage 62 is assembled to the plate 55 and guided in sliding along this plate by any suitable means and for example by screws 59 which pass through the longitudinal oblongs 56 of the plate and which are screwed into a counter plate 57 located at the lower part of the plate 5. Along its median longitudinal direction, the plate has a series of notches forming a central rack 68.

As in the previous case, the carriage 62 has a pusher 72 housed in a vertical and central housing 76.

The height of the pusher 72 is substantially equal to the thickness of the carriage 62 so that in the low position, the lower surface of the pusher is flush with the upper surface of the plate 55.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the pusher has on its lower surface a toothing comprising for example one or two teeth 80 which are intended to cooperate with the notches of the rack 68.

Apart from this difference, the pusher 72 is similar to the pusher 12 previously described.

The pusher 72 and its teeth 80 cooperate with the carriage 62 and the profile 55 in a similar manner to what has been described above. The raising of the pusher causes the teeth 80 to be disengaged from the notches of the rack 68. The pusher is then projecting above the upper surface of the carriage. The carriage is released along the profile. A simple downward pressure on the pusher brings the pusher back to the low position if, however, the tooth 80 is opposite a notch of the slide 78. The presence of the shoe in the retainer makes any upward movement impossible. of the pusher.

Naturally, the present description is given for information only, and other implementations of the invention could be adopted without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (8)

1. Device for retaining a boot on a gliding board comprising a longitudinal support section (5, 55) extending in an approximately horizontal plane, a support carriage (12, 13, 62) with an upper support surface for at least one part of the sole of the boot, a retention means (14, 15, 16) to link the end of the boot to the support carriage at least along a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction, the support carriage (12, 13, 62) being slidably mounted along the section (5, 55), the section further having at least one rack (18a, 18b, 19, 61) on at least one portion of its length, the carriage (12, 13, 62) being equipped with a thrustor (22, 23, 72) to cooperate with the rack of the section and to enable immobilization of the carriage in various longitudinal positions of the section, the thrustor being movable between a lowered position where it is located beneath the upper support surface of the carriage and a raised position where it protrudes partially with respect to this surface,
      characterized by the fact that the carriage has, in its central portion, a housing that opens on its upper surface, that the movable thrustor (22, 23, 72) is slidably mounted in the housing, and that it has, in section, dimensions which correspond to the dimensions of the housing.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the thrustor (22) has gripping means (33, 34) to be able to manually pull it into a raised released position.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by thefact that the thrustor (22) has abutments (28, 29, 39, 40) that cooperate with the carriage (12) and/or the section (5) to limit the vertical upward and downward course of the thrustor.
4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the toothing (30, 31) of the thrustor (22) is mounted on at least one of the lateral faces (28, 29) of the thrustor (22), and that the rack (18a, 18b, 19) extends laterally in two parts on each side of the thrustor.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the thrustor (22) has a width approximately equal to the space between the two parts (18a, 18b, 19) of the rack.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the toothing (30, 31) extends in the upper part of the lateral faces (28, 29) of the thrustor at a height close to the diameter of the arms (6, 6, 7, 7) that constitute the section (5) and that under the toothing (30, 31) the thrustor has exposed lateral faces at a height close to the diameter of the arms (6, 6, 7, 7) of the section (5).
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the toothing (80) of the thrustor (72) is mounted on the lower face of the thrustorand that the rack (78) is situated under the thrustor, in the median part of the section (55).
8. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the gripping means of the thrustor (22, 23, 62) are two edges (33, 34) situated in the upper part of the thrustor, whose width is close to the thickness of the wall of the carriage at this level.

Images