EP1106217A1 - Interface for a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

Interface element used in the practice of surfing, intended to transmit the supports exerted by the foot of the surfer towards the surfboard (1), said element comprising median longitudinal (5) and transverse (6) planes cutting the area d '' support (3, 4) in four quadrants (11 - 14), characterized in that two (11, 13) of the quadrants arranged diagonally have greater rigidity than the other two quadrants (12, 14), so as to favor the transmission of the supports at the diagonal of the two quadrants of higher rigidity, said diagonal being intended to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. <IMAGE>

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of sliding sports, and more precisely snowboard generally called "snowboard". It concerns more particularly means intended to transmit the supports exerted by the foot of the surfer towards the board, designed to optimize the location efforts and behavior of the board.

Previous techniques

In a known manner, the surf bindings are mounted on the surfboard with a certain latitude of rotation, allowing to adjust the angle of the plane median longitudinal of the binding corresponding to that of the foot, with respect to the axis longitudinal of the board.

In fact, to adopt the most ergonomic position possible, it can be necessary that the front and rear feet have a certain orientation by compared to the board.

This orientation can be different from the front foot compared to the rear foot, and may also vary depending on the type of practice. So in practice "free-style" surfing, the orientation of the feet, and therefore of the binding, is further from the longitudinal axis of the board only for the practice of alpine surfing in which the feet are closer to the longitudinal axis of the board.

In addition, there are two possible orientations of the foot relative to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board.

Indeed, some surfers prefer to place their left foot on the side of the front of the board. Surfers, according to this practice, are called "regular".

Conversely, some surfers prefer to place their right foot on the side of the front of the board. Such surfers are called "goofy". Like the foot rear is generally more perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board than the front foot, it follows that the binding can adopt a very variable angulation depending on whether it is used by a "goofy" or "regular" surfer.

Furthermore, it has been observed that the efforts are generally exerted since the fixation towards the board located mainly at the level of the zones extremities of the binding, corresponding to the front of the foot for "front" turns side "and at the back of the foot by the" back side "turns.

In other words, depending on the orientation of the binding relative to the board, the forces are exerted offset from the edges. The longer the foot is moved away from the perpendicular, the more the supports are exerted in an area away from the edges, and are therefore less effective.

A first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of optimizing the location of the supports exerted since the fixation, whatever or the orientation of the binding relative to the longitudinal axis of the board.

In addition, in the most frequent case where the fixation is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, the two transmission zones supports from the attachment to the board, located at the front and rear of the foot, are longitudinally offset from the board. It follows that the part of the fixing located between these two support zones has a rigidity which adds up and combines with the intrinsic rigidity of the board.

This interference modifies the intrinsic mechanical characteristics resistance of the board and away from its theoretical behavior. Such a modification is detrimental to the resistance to the forces of the board.

Indeed, we have notably observed numerous cases of breakage of the board at the extreme zones of the fixation due to the appearance of too strong constraints when bending the board.

Another problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of unclamping of the fixing relative to the board, and the reduction of the influence the mechanical rigidity of the binding on the intrinsic mechanical properties of the board.

The invention therefore aims to allow optimization of the supports exercised from the fixation towards the board, while allowing a certain unlocking the rigidity of the binding and the board, while remaining compatible with the latitude for adjusting the orientation of the binding relative to the longitudinal axis of the board, according to the different practices, and the different types of users.

Statement of the invention

The invention therefore relates to an interface element used in the practice of surf, intended to transmit the support exerted by the foot of the surfer towards the surfboard. Such an element has longitudinal and transverse planes medians cutting the support area into four quadrants.

This element is characterized in that two of the quadrants arranged in diagonal have greater rigidity than the other two quadrants, so to favor the transmission of support at the diagonal of the two quadrants of higher rigidity.

In other words, on a surfboard equipped with the interface element characteristic, the supports exerted by the user are not localized according to the median longitudinal plane of the boot and the binding, but on the contrary of offset transversely.

The diagonal of the two quadrants of higher rigidity is advantageously oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, so that the quadrants of higher rigidity are found near the edges, which improves the precision of the surfing behavior.

In other words, in accordance with the invention, the volume between the foot of the user and the upper face of the board has a rigidity which is distributed in such a way that the supports are preferentially transmitted according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board.

In addition, thanks to the characteristic interface element, the mechanical influence of the support surface on the board is essentially limited to a reduced area in the longitudinal direction of the board to the two quadrants of greater rigidity. Of the so the incidence of the rigidity of the fixation and the organs associated with it is relatively weak when bending the board. The latter therefore retains its intrinsic mechanical properties and its optimal behavior.

In practice, numerous embodiments make it possible to obtain a structure favoring supports according to the characteristic diagonal.

Thus, according to a first family of embodiments, the characteristic element can consist of a spacer element interposed between the fixing and the face top of the surfboard. It is then an interface plate intended for raise the binding. The rigidity of this spacer element varies over its surface and is upper along a characteristic diagonal.

Thus, in a first variant, the spacer element may comprise two studs of greater rigidity than the rest of the element, incorporated into its structure at level of the two quadrants arranged diagonally.

In this way, when the fixing is arranged on this spacer element, the forces exerted by the skier are mainly transmitted at the level of the higher stiffness, while areas of lower stiffness deform and become compress.

In another embodiment, the spacer element comprises at least two protruding parts intended to fit into openings complementary for this purpose in the base of the binding.

In this way, the user's shoe is in contact with the spacer element. in the two quadrants of higher rigidity, and the forces are therefore transmitted directly via the protruding parts.

According to another embodiment, the base of the attachment may include outgrowth zones, present at the level of the two strongest quadrants rigidity, these protruding areas making contact with the upper face of the board in two areas perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of the board.

To take into account the different orientations corresponding to the practices "goofy" and "regular", the same characteristic interface element is likely to be used in two different orientations of the foot relative to the board, for example by flipping.

In another case allowing dual use, such an element comprises two series of four quadrants, each series being dedicated to a orientation of the foot with respect to the board, and comprising rigidity quadrants higher according to a diagonal different from the diagonal of higher rigidity of the other series, the two series having two quadrants in common.

In other words, such an element comprises six elementary zones intended for form quadrants, four of these areas being used in the "regular" position, the two other zones being used, with two of the first, in practice "goofy".

In another embodiment, the interface element can be directly incorporated into the sole of the user's shoe, in this case the sole of the shoe comprises elements of greater rigidity which are arranged according to a diagonal crossing the median longitudinal plane of the shoe.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une planche de surf sur laquelle sont représentées de façon schématique, les zones d'appui de la fixation.

La figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'une plaque entretoise correspondant à un première manière de réaliser l'invention.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon le plan III-III' de la figure 2.

La figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'une plaque entretoise correspondant à une variante d'exécution du premier mode de réalisation.

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une plaque entretoise et d'une embase de fixation correspondant à un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la plaque entretoise de la figure 5.

La figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une embase et d'une planche de surf conformément à un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 8 est une vue de dessus de l'embase de la fixation de la figure 7.

La figure 9 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'une chaussure correspondant à un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 10 est une vue de dessous de la chaussure de la figure 9.

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow, in support of the appended figures in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a surfboard on which are shown schematically, the support areas of the binding.

Figure 2 is a top view of a spacer plate corresponding to a first way of carrying out the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the plane III-III 'of FIG. 2.

Figure 4 is a top view of a spacer plate corresponding to an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spacer plate and a mounting base corresponding to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the spacer plate of FIG. 5.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a base and a surfboard according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the base of the fixing of FIG. 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a shoe corresponding to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 9.

Way of realizing the invention

As already said, the invention relates to interface elements intended for transmit the support exerted by the surfer's foot towards the board in a preferred direction corresponding substantially to a diagonal of the fixing, oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board.

In this way, the supports are exerted as close as possible to the edges, which increases the handling precision of the surf, and on the other hand allows a certain unclamping of the fixing relative to the board.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the board (1) has a longitudinal axis middle (2) and two locations (3, 4) on which the fasteners are mounted intended to receive the user's shoes.

According to the invention, such support zones (3, 4) have a plane longitudinal median (5) separating the binding of the shoe into two parts respectively right and left.

This median longitudinal plane (5) generally deviates from the perpendicular (7) to the median longitudinal axis (2) of the board (1) for ergonomic reasons. So, as already said, depending on whether the board is used for alpine surfing or a practice of "free-style", this inclination can vary.

In addition, depending on whether the user is said to be "regular" (as illustrated in Figure 1) or "goofy", he directs his foot on one side or the other from the perpendicular (7) to the longitudinal axis (8) of the board (1).

According to a characteristic of the invention, the space between the foot of the user and the upper face of the board, constitutes a support zone (3, 4) which breaks down along the longitudinal median plane (5) and the median plane transverse (6) in four quadrants (11 - 14).

According to a characteristic of the invention, two of these four quadrants (11, 13) have greater rigidity than the other two (12, 14), and are arranged diagonally so that they lie close to the edges (8, 9).

Such a provision therefore allows the supports to be transmitted essentially to proximity of the edges (8, 9), which improves the precision of the driving of the board.

In addition, the transmission of support is essentially channeled at the level of the two quadrants (11, 13) of greater rigidity, which means that the two other quadrants (12, 14) give a certain latitude or a certain capacity to movement of the board with respect to the binding (1). Thanks to this feature, the stresses exerted by the fixing on the board (1) are relatively limited and there is therefore an unclamping of the fixing relative to the board.

Multiple architectures and structures can be used to form bearing zones according to the invention, which is the subject of the four descriptions below.

First way of carrying out the invention

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the interface element can take the form a spacer element (20) interposed between the fixing and the upper face of the board. Such an element (20) has dimensions similar to those of the mounting base.

According to a characteristic of the invention, it comprises zones (21, 23) of greater rigidity, arranged on either side of the longitudinal planes (25) and transverse (26) medians.

More specifically, the spacer plate (20) illustrated in Figure 2 has two zones (21, 23) made of a material different from the rest (22, 24) of the plate, and forming rigid studs made of thermoplastic material, by example in polyurethane, polypropylene or polyamide, while the rest of the plate is made of a material such as cellular foam, for example.

This plate can be manufactured by multi-injection or thermocompression.

The studs (21, 23) can be formed independently of the rest of the plate (20), which then has through housings (27) or not, made for this purpose, and intended to receive the studs (21, 23).

The geometry of the pads (21, 23) and their locations can be optimized to obtain the best possible transmission of forces, and is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In a variant, the studs can do not completely pass through the flexible material, so as to provide more comfort to the user.

To allow the use of the same interface element, according to the two types "goofy" and "regular" practice, the interface element (20) can be either, as illustrated in Figure 3, symmetrical so that it can be turned over and present its areas of higher rigidity in opposite quadrants, or present a more complex geometry as illustrated in Figure 4.

More specifically, in this case, the interface plate (30) comprises six quadrants (31 - 36), four of which (31 - 34) correspond to a position (37) in which the diagonal (39) of greater rigidity is oriented according to a certain direction.

The other series of four quadrants (31, 32, 33, 36), which share with the series previous the two central quadrants (31, 32), have a diagonal (40) of superior rigidity oriented in the opposite direction. So when the plate (30) is used according to a practice, the fixing is arranged above the four corresponding quadrants, while when the plate (30) is used for a fixing arranged according to the other practice, the fixing is then mounted directly above the other series (38) of quadrants.

The rest of the plate does not interfere with the fixing and does not prevent the unleashing.

Second way of carrying out the invention

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the interface element can consist of a plate (50) disposed under the base (52) of the binding, and which comprises at least two protruding parts (51, 53) intended to be embedded in the openings (55) complementary formed for this purpose in said base (52). In order to simplification, and in order not to be limited to a single type of attachment, only the base was represented. It goes without saying that the invention applies to all types of fixing, such as flexible or alpine shell attachment, whatever the means of restraint of the shoe in the binding.

More precisely, the protruding zones (51, 52) can be formed of studs similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, but of markedly thick upper so that they are flush with the upper face (56) of the base (52), on which the sole of the shoe rests.

In this way, these protruding areas (51, 52) come directly to the contact with the sole of the shoe and receive the support they transmit directly towards the board, at the characteristic diagonal (58).

In an embodiment not shown but derived from that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plate located under the base of the binding has two additional growths, made of a more compressible material than that constituting the studs in rigid projection, so as to penetrate into additional openings made in the base.

In this embodiment, the different protruding zones can be made by added elements, placed in a base plate comprising housings, to allow the arrangement of the studs to be modified more rigid, and thus modify the orientation of the more rigid diagonal.

In this case, the geometry of the studs and the corresponding housings in the base plate have a certain symmetry.

Third embodiment

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interface element can be constituted by protuberances (71, 72) of the base (70) of the binding itself, intended for form the contact areas between the base (70) and the board (1) proper.

In this way, the fixing (70) rests on the board (1) at the level only of the two protruding zones (71, 72). Thus, the efforts exerted by the surfer are exclusively transmitted to the board at these contact zones (71, 72).

Of course, the space between the base (70) and the upper face of the board (1) can be filled with compressible foam, so as to avoid the introduction of a snow hold under the base of the binding.

To allow the use of a binding with characteristic optimization of the transmission of forces, it can be provided that the base of the binding can receive attachments, arranged according to one or the other of the diagonals in depending on the surfer's practice. Means of securing the elements in protuberance on the base are then provided.

Fourth way of carrying out the invention

Optimal transmission of forces near the edges, even when the foot is inclined relative to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, can also be obtained by improvements made inside the the user's own shoe.

More specifically, such a shoe (80) may include, like the shoe (60) described in French patent application FR 98.15088, two transverse inserts (81, 82) located at the front and at the rear of the sole (83). According to the invention, such inserts (81, 82) may have rigidity increased on either side of the median longitudinal plane (85) of the shoe.

More specifically, such inserts (81, 82) can be made of a material similar to that of the rest of the sole (83) on one side (86), while the other end (86) of the insert is made of a more rigid material. The disposition reverse (87, 89) is used for the opposite insert (82).

In a different embodiment, the inserts do not extend over the almost the entire width of the sole, but on the contrary the sole (83) comprises zones located only at the level of the characteristic diagonal, and made up of studs of greater rigidity.

Such studs can either be incorporated inside the produced sole by molding, or still be reported under the sole of the sole. These studs can be symmetrical to be returned depending on whether the shoe is used in practical "goofy" or "regular".

• une optimisation de la localisation des efforts à proximité des carres, quelque soit l'orientation du pied par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la planche, ce qui améliore la conduite et la précision ;
• un certain débridage de la fixation par rapport au ski, ce qui confère à la planche équipée de fixations ses propriétés mécaniques et intrinsèques ;

It appears from the above that the means of practicing surfing according to the invention have multiple advantages and in particular:

• an optimization of the location of the forces near the edges, whatever the orientation of the foot relative to the longitudinal axis of the board, which improves handling and precision;
• some unclamping of the binding with respect to the ski, which gives the board equipped with bindings its mechanical and intrinsic properties;

Claims (8)

Interface element used in the practice of surfing, intended to transmit the supports exerted by the foot of the surfer towards the surfboard (1), said element comprising median longitudinal (5) and transverse (6) planes cutting the area d '' support (3, 4) in four quadrants (11 - 14), characterized in that two (11, 13) of the quadrants arranged diagonally have greater rigidity than the other two quadrants (12, 14), so as to favor the transmission of the supports at the diagonal of the two quadrants of higher rigidity, said diagonal being intended to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a spacer element (20) interposed between the binding and the upper face of the surfboard. Element according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer element (20) comprises two studs (21, 23) of greater rigidity than the rest of the element (20), incorporated in its structure at the level of the two quadrants arranged diagonally. Element according to claim 2, characterized in that the spacer element (50) comprises at least two protruding parts (51, 53) intended to fit into complementary openings made for this purpose in the base (52) of fixation. Element according to claim 4, characterized in that the two protruding parts (51, 53) form the zones of greater rigidity. Element (30) according to claim 2, capable of being used in two different orientations of the foot relative to the board, characterized in that it comprises two series of four quadrants (31 - 36), each series (31, 32 , 33, 34; 31, 32, 35, 36) being dedicated to an orientation of the foot relative to the board, and comprising quadrants (31, 33; 31, 36) of greater rigidity along a diagonal (39) different from the diagonal (40) of greater rigidity of the other series, the two series comprising two quadrants (31, 32) in common. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface element consists of protruding parts (71, 72) formed in the base (70) of the binding, and intended to make contact with the upper face of the board according two zones located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is at least partly constituted by the sole (83) of the shoe (89) of the user.

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