EP0811402B1 - Holding device for a boot on a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The retainer (1) comprises a dorsal support (7) providing rear support for the lower leg. It has a base (8) which takes the boot sole. The dorsal support is articulated on the base along an axis (Y-Y'). A control peg (11,22) fixed to the boot (2) causes articulation of the dorsal support relative to the base by engaging an arm (18) in the dorsal support. This causes leverage relative to the Y-Y' axis. The dorsal support is articulated from an open position to a closed position in the direction from back to front when the sole is displaced towards the board during fitting. A spring (24) moves the dorsal support relative to the base in accordance with the front to back articulation. A stop (25) limits articulation of the dorsal support in the front to back direction. The dorsal support has an indentation (26) at the level of the boot heel.

Description

The invention relates to the field of devices for retaining a boot on a gliding board intended for the practice of snowboarding. The invention relates more particularly to means for retaining a shoe which comprise a rear lower leg support element.

In the practice of surfing, a user has to put on and take off many times, for example when using various means of ski lifts, or even after a fall. Consequently, it is important that each device for retaining a shoe on the board allows quick and easy putting on and taking off. Of course, the boot should be considered as the operation consisting in securing the shoe to the board, the heaving being the reverse operation.

The prior art has proposed numerous retaining devices which allow quick and easy putting on and taking off (see for example WO 95/33534 and EP 0 705 625). Such devices were initially used with shoes with a relatively rigid upper, made for example with plastic shells. Generally, these devices include means for securing the boot to the board which act substantially at the level of the sole, the upper serving to hold the foot and pass sensory information to the foot and the lower leg. The boot is generally made either by manual action or by the sole action of the foot, which in this case avoids the user having to bend down to intervene with the hands.

A more recent evolution of the materials consists in associating fast-use restraint devices with shoes with a relatively flexible upper, so that the user can make with the legs movements sufficiently large to drive the board. In this case, a lower leg support element is associated with the device so that the user can easily take support on the snow with the rear edge of his board.

However, it appeared that these devices are not really satisfactory. Indeed, the lower leg support element generally has a curved and ergonomic shape which follows the profile of the leg when the user is in an orthostatic position.

It follows that the user is hampered by the support element for fitting or removing shoes, thus losing at least in part the advantage provided by a quick-use restraint device.

On the other hand, the presence of the support element obliges the user to move and tilt the foot forward relative to the support element for fitting, which prevents correct positioning of the shoe. relative to the retainer.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention provides a device for retaining a boot on a gliding board, the device notably comprising a back support element for ensuring the rear support of the lower leg and a base intended for receive in part at least the sole of the shoe, the back support element being articulated on the base along a substantially transverse axis YY 'of the device.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one control means generates an articulation movement of the back support element relative to the base along the axis Y-Y ', d' an open position to a closed position in a postero-anterior direction, when the sole moves towards the board during the fitting operation.

This structure allows the user to bring the support element substantially into contact with the lower leg by the sole action of the foot when putting on.

It is sufficient that a prior movement of the foot has moved the back support element apart for the boot to be easy and precise. Consequently, the support element no longer constitutes a discomfort at the time of putting on.

The device according to the invention is preferably characterized in that an elastic means biases the dorsal support element relative to the base along the axis Y-Y ', according to an articulation movement in one direction anteroposterior.

It follows that the back support element is naturally moved away from the path of the shoe at the time of putting on, thus making the putting on even faster.

The device according to the invention is further characterized by the fact that a stop means limits the articulation movement of the back support element with respect to the base along the axis Y-Y ', in the anteroposterior sense.

Consequently, a movement of the shoe of small amplitude is sufficient to bring the back support element into a position of use after fitting, which has the advantage of further facilitating the fitting.

Preferably, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the back support element has a notch at the heel of the shoe.

This structure allows the user to transmit specific forces to the retaining device, especially in the case of rear edge grip. Indeed, the support is done at the lower leg, giving the user more strength and precision in the handling of the board. An additional advantage is that the notch facilitates the passage of the heel of the shoe when putting on.

According to a first embodiment, the device is characterized in that the control means is a pin integral with the shoe, the pin cooperating with an arm of the back support element to create a leverage effect with respect to axis. YY '. The movement of the back support element is advantageously correlated to the movement of the shoe during putting on.

Preferably, the shoe pin cooperates with a guide means integral with the base, the guide means being a cavity delimited at least in part by a positioning surface of the pin. This structure has the advantage of being simple and easy to manufacture. In addition, it allows the back support element to be brought into a precise position after putting on.

More preferably, the device according to this first embodiment is characterized in that a locking means is able to cooperate with the pin, so that the pin is simultaneously substantially in contact with the positioning surface of the cavity and with the arm of the back support element. The locking means comprises a hook articulated on the base against the action of an elastic means.

This structure allows simultaneous locking of the heel of the shoe and the back support element. In addition, the locking is done automatically after the pin has reached the positioning surface. The advantage is that the driving forces transmitted to the back support element are fully absorbed by the retaining device.

According to a second embodiment, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the control means is a bar secured to the back support element. This structure advantageously makes it possible to use conventional shoes.

According to the second embodiment again, the device is characterized in that the bar connects two arms of the back support element, the bar being able to cooperate with the sole of the shoe to create a leverage effect with respect to to the axis Y-Y '. This structure is such that the driving forces transmitted to the back support element are fully absorbed by the sole of the shoe, the sole being itself secured to the base by any known means. The advantage is that this construction is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

• la figure 1 est une vue latérale extérieure d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une coupe selon II-II de la figure 1 montrant par l'avant une chaussure coopérant avec le dispositif,
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle selon III-III de la figure 1 montrant des détails du dispositif en vue de dessus,
• la figure 4 est une coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 3 montrant des détails du dispositif en vue verticale intérieure,
• la figure 5 est une vue latérale extérieure d'un second mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, by non-limiting examples, how the invention can be implemented, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is an external side view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a section on II-II of FIG. 1 showing from the front a shoe cooperating with the device,
• FIG. 3 is a partial section on III-III of FIG. 1 showing details of the device in top view,
• FIG. 4 is a section on IV-IV of FIG. 3 showing details of the device in internal vertical view,
• Figure 5 is an external side view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a device 1 for retaining a boot 2 on a gliding board 3, according to a first embodiment.

Only the rear part 4 of the shoe 2 has been shown, because it is this part which cooperates with the device 1 near a rear side R of the board 3.

The shoe 2 comprises a rod 5 secured by any known means to a sole 6, the rod 5 bearing on a back support element 7 of the device 1, while the sole 5 is positioned on a base 8 of the device 1.

The back support element 7 and the base 8 are linked to each other by an articulation means, shown here in the form of a rivet 9 of axis 10, the axis 10 being oriented substantially in a transverse direction of the shoe 2 and the device 1.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the means of articulation of the back support element 7 with respect to the base 8 comprises two rivets 9 each having an axis 10, one of the rivets 9 being located d one side of the device 1, while the other is located on the opposite side, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the boot 2 and of the device 1. The longitudinal direction should be understood as being substantially parallel to the length of a foot , i.e. oriented from the toes towards the heel or vice versa.

It can be noted that the longitudinal direction of the device 1 is substantially perpendicular to the axes 10 of the rivets 9, so as to allow an articulation movement of the back support element 7 relative to the base 8, in an antero direction -posterior or in a postero-anterior direction. The antero-posterior direction corresponds to an extension of the foot relative to the leg, the postero-anterior direction corresponding to a reverse movement obtained for example when a user bends the legs.

FIG. 2 also shows two lateral pins 11, 12 which are an integral part of the shoe 2. The pins 11, 12 are for example cylinders connected together by a bar 13, the pins 11, 12 and the bar 13 forming a block which can be made of metal such as steel, the block preferably being embedded in the sole 6 at the time of manufacture.

For a better understanding of the invention, the shoe 2 is represented symbolically, as a transparent object, with the exception of the pins 11, 12 and the bar 13.

The pins 11, 12 are respectively supported on positioning surfaces 14, 15 located in open cavities 16, 17 of the base 8. The pins 11, 12 are in contact with the surfaces 14, 15 because the shoe 2 is in a position for using the device 1. It is noted that in this case there is a space S between the sole 6 and the base 8. This space allows the shoe 2 to cooperate with the device 1 in all cases, even in the presence of foreign bodies, such as snow or ice.

The pins 11, 12 simultaneously fulfill several functions: they position the boot 2 relative to the base 8 at the same time as they respectively press on arms 18, 19 of the back support element 7.

FIG. 4 shows, from inside the device 1, the pin 11 both in position on the positioning surface 14 of the cavity 16 and in abutment on the arm 18 of the back support element 7. For for convenience, shoe 2 is not shown.

FIG. 4 also shows a locking means locking the pin 11 in the cavity 16 against the action of an elastic means. The locking means is represented by a hook-shaped end 20 of a metal wire such as a steel wire.

The elastic means is represented by the other spring-shaped end 21 of the same wire as that forming the hook 20. Consequently, the hook 20 serves both to keep the pin 11 in a fixed position relative to the base 8 and to prevent rotation of the support element dorsal 7 relative to the base 8 in an anteroposterior direction. The back support element 7 is held in a closed position, shown in strong lines, by the hook 20.

Of course, another hook and another spring act similarly for the pin 12 in the cavity 17 and for the arm 19 of the back support element 7.

Thus, when the user gives impulses with the lower leg towards the rear, it is the whole of the device 1 which tends to accompany the shoe 2, consequently allowing the user to take good support from the side back R of board 3.

The pins 11, 12 of the shoe 2 are put in place in the cavities 16, 17 when the user approaches the foot of the device 1. The shape of the hook 20 allows the pin 11 to spread the hook 20 against the action of the spring 21 when putting on.

The same process takes place for pin 12 and the associated hook.

The shape of each hook prevents each pin 11, 12 from leaving the cavity in which it is held.

If the user wants to release the rear part of the shoe 2 from the device 1, he can act on the hooks.

Figure 3 shows in section an example of a means for unlocking a pawn.

For reasons of convenience, only half of the device 1 is shown. This half corresponds to the side of the shoe 2 carrying the pin 11, but a similar structure exists on the side of the shoe 2 carrying the pin 12.

FIG. 3 shows that the wire, constituting both the spring 21 and the hook 20, is extended on the side of the hook 20 by passing through a slot 22 of the base 8 to be housed in a finger 23.

The finger 23 is located outside the device 1 and allows the user to move the end of the wire into the slot 22. It follows that the hook 20 can move in an unlocking direction against the action of spring 21.

When each hook has released the pin with which it is associated, the user can lift the rear part of the shoe 2 to take off the shoes. Of course, the user can also be led to separate any other part of the shoe 2 which would be held on the base 8 by any means known to those skilled in the art.

When the pins 11, 12 are no longer in place on the device 1, the shoe 2 is no longer in contact with the base 8 and the back support element 7 is no longer in contact with the rod 5 at user's lower leg level.

In this case, as shown for example in FIG. 4 in dotted lines, the back support element 7 is placed in an open position thanks to the actions of an elastic means and a stop means. The elastic means is shown in the form of a helical spring 24 wound around the rivet 9, one end of the spring 24 being secured to the base 8 and the other end of the spring 24 being secured to the back support element. , by any known means such as passing through an orifice. The spring 24 biases the back support element 7 in an anteroposterior direction of rotation relative to the base 8. The stop means which limits the movement of the back support element 7 is shown in the form of a projecting part of the base 8, or stop 25.

The spring 24 and the stop 25 allow the back support element 7 to be sufficiently spaced from the path that the shoe 2 follows during the fitting, so as not to hinder the fitting. As it is intended that the device 1 is preferably used with any other means of retaining another part of the boot 2 which allows the retention by the sole action of the foot, the device offers the double advantage of easy donning and specific. Of course, the heaving operation is also facilitated by the release of the back support element 7.

Figure 1 also shows in dotted lines the open position occupied by the back support element 7 after heaving. In order to further facilitate the movement of the boot 2 relative to the device, a notch 26 is provided in the back support element 7.

As shown in Figure 2, the notch 26 is largely delimited by the arms 18, 19 of the back support element 7, so that the passage of the heel of the shoe 2 is free. In fact, the back support element 7 comes into contact with the rod 5 only at the level of the user's lower leg. In this way, the passage of sensory information is made more perceptible by the user.

It is possible to manage a movement of the back support element 7 relative to the base 8 by other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5.

For the sake of convenience, the same elements are designated by the same references.

• la chaussure 2 ne comprend pas de pions,
• l'embase 8 ne comprend pas de moyens de positionnement et de verrouillage de pions,
• les bras 18, 19 situés chacun d'un côté du dispositif 1 sont reliés l'un à l'autre à leurs extrémités respectives par une poutre 27.

This second exemplary embodiment differs from the previous one by the differences below;

• shoe 2 does not include pawns,
• the base 8 does not include means for positioning and locking pins,
• the arms 18, 19 each located on one side of the device 1 are connected to each other at their respective ends by a beam 27.

The other parts of the device 1 are similar to those of the first embodiment.

According to the second mode, when the user comes to put the shoe 2 on in the device 1, the sole 6 pushes the beam 27 towards the board 3 against the action of the spring 24. At the end of the fitting, the sole 6 holds the beam 27 against the part of the base 8 located on the gliding board 3.

Preferably, the parts are dimensioned so that there remains a space S between the sole 6 and the base 8 for the same reasons as in the previous case.

At the end of the boot again, the back support element 7 is in contact with the rod 5 at the level of the user's lower leg.

At the time of heaving, the sole 6 moves away from the base 8, and the spring 24 in turn allows a distancing of the dorsal support element 7 from the rod 5. Again, the stop 25 limits the amplitude of movement of the back support element 7.

In this second embodiment, it is necessary for the sole 6 to be kept pressed against the beam 27 by any known means and not shown in the figure, such as an automatic sole locking system.

Whatever the embodiment, the materials used will be those traditionally used. In particular, the base 8 and the back support element 7 can be produced from reinforced or unarmoured plastics, or from a metal alloy.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments thus described, and includes all the technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the following claims.

In particular, provision may be made to insert a spacer between the base 8 and the board 3, the spacer possibly comprising means for adjusting its position relative to the board 3.

It is also possible to provide a device for simultaneously locking and unlocking the pins 11, 12 in the case of the first embodiment.

Claims (11)

1. Device (1) for retaining a boot (2) on a gliding board (3), the device (1) having in particular a dorsal support element (7) for ensuring the rear support of the lower leg and a base (8) adapted at least partially to receive the sole (6) of the boot (2), the dorsal support element (7) being articulated on the base (8) along a substantially transverse axis Y-Y' of the device (1), characterized in that at least one control means (11, 12, 27) causes an articulation movement of the dorsal support element (7) with respect to the base (8) along the axis Y-Y', from an open position to a closed position in a rear-to-front direction, when the sole (6) is displaced toward the board (3) during the phase of putting on the boot.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic means (24) biases the dorsal support element (7) with respect to the base (8) along the axis Y-Y', along an articulation movement in a front-to-rear direction.
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a stopping means (25) demarcates the articulation movement of the dorsal support element (7) with respect to the base (8) along the axis Y-Y', in the front-to-rear direction.
4. Device (1) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the dorsal support element (7) has a cutout (26) at the level of the heel of the boot (2).
5. Device (1) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the control means is a pin (11, 12) affixed to the boot (2), the pin (11, 12) cooperating with an arm (18, 19) of the dorsal support element (7) to create a lever effect with respect to the axis Y-Y'.
6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the finger (11, 12) of the boot (2) cooperates with a guiding means affixed to the base (8).
7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the guiding means is a cavity (16, 17) at least partially demarcated by a surface (14, 15) for positioning the finger (11, 12).
8. Device (1) according to any of claims 5-7, characterized in that a locking means is capable of cooperating with the pin (11, 12) so that the pin (11, 12) is simultaneously substantially in contact with the surface (14, 15) for positioning the cavity (16, 17) and with the arm (18, 19) of the dorsal support element (7).
9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking means has a hook (20) articulated on the base (8) against the action of an elastic means (21).
10. Device (1) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the control means is a beam (27) affixed to the dorsal support element (7).
11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the beam (27) connects two arms (18, 19) of the dorsal support element (7), the beam (27) being capable of cooperating with the sole (6) of the boot (2) to create a lever effect with respect to the axis Y-Y'.