EP1702658B1 - Double control binding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a locking mechanism cooperating with a connecting bar (16). An opening system has a lever (38) that is articulated by its front articulation end on a base (12). The system has a slide (44) whose rear end is connected to a head (30). The slide directly controls the opening of the mechanism when it is handled downwards. The lever controls the opening of the mechanism through the slide when the lever is handled upwards.

Description

The invention relates to the field of fastening devices of an article of footwear on a gliding machine.

The invention will be more particularly described in its application to a device for attaching a shoe to a gliding device (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating or roller skating, etc ...), even more particularly in its application to a ski boot binding device on the ski corresponding.

In all cases, such a fastener comprises a locking mechanism intended to cooperate with a connecting member of the footwear, and an opening system manipulable by a user to control the opening of the mechanism.

The locking mechanism may be of very varied types, as well as the corresponding connecting member of the footwear.

In many fasteners, including cross-country skiing, hiking or Telemark, the binding member of the shoe consists of a connecting pin which is intended to be trapped in a jaw. Such a system is for example described in the patent applications FR-2638974 , FR-2645764 , FR-2834473 , FR-2742060 , FR-2856312 , FR-2738158 , EP-551 899 , EP-904 139 .

In other devices, the binding member of the shoe consists of two parts: two parallel connecting axes ( EP-679 415 , FR-2853253 , FR-2843310 , WO-01/93963 ), a forward stop is a rear hooking spout ( FR-2776200 , FR-2733159 , EP-1100601 , DE-10.2004.018.296 ).

Other devices are described, for example in the document EP-1492598 .

All these devices comprise a locking mechanism, which is provided with at least one moving part which is intended to cooperate with the binding member of the boot. This movable piece can be moved between an active position, in which it ensures the locking between the connecting member and the fixing device, and an unlocking position in which it allows the connecting member, and therefore also to the shoe, to be separated from the fixing device.

Some of the known fastening devices are of the "step-in" type, (also called semi-automatic or automatically locking), insofar as they allow the locking of the connecting member on the fixing device to be done without other intervention of the user than to approach the connecting member of the fixing device, and that to exert a certain effort to cause locking. In most cases, it is the interaction of the connecting member (or another part of the shoe), with a corresponding element of the fixing device that causes this automatic locking. In some devices, it is necessary to bring the attachment into an open state (by a separate operation, usually manual), the interaction causing only the closing of the locking mechanism (cf, for example EP-1100601 ). In other devices, the mechanism of locking is in a closed state and the interaction causes the opening of the mechanism which then closes automatically, usually under the effect of an elastic member (cf, for example FR-2645764 ).

In other devices, the user must perform a specific operation of opening and closing for both the boot and the heaving.

In all cases, however, the locking mechanisms include an opening system that allows the user to control the mechanism to its open (or unlocked) state, in order to allow the user to release, at will and without excessive stress, the footwear article of the fastening device. The opening system (usually a lever, a zipper or a button) must thus be brought from a first position to a second position to cause the unlocking. The user manipulates this system either by hand or with the aid of an accessory, for example a ski pole. Optionally, this manipulation can be a two-step manipulation, with a pre-opening (consisting for example of causing the lifting of a gripping member), then an actual opening (by manipulating the previously updated gripping member ). In the prior art, for a given opening system, the open position is always the same and the handling direction of the opening system to cause the unlocking is always the same.

For various reasons, including considerations of space, weight, reliability and need not to allow inadvertent opening of the fastener, the opening systems are not always perfectly ergonomic. Or, they are relatively ergonomic in most situations, but not enough in other situations in which the user is.

Thus, in the case of fixing intended for children, one can be in the case where the system is quite easily usable by the child who uses the fixing device, but can not easily be used by an outside person, for example an adult who would like to help the child unlock the fastening system. In other cases, it is possible that the fastening system is particularly complex to handle by the user when it has fallen and it wants to disengage, while in normal use, the system gives full satisfaction.

The object of the invention is to propose a new design of a fixing device whose handling is even easier in all cases.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for fixing an article of footwear on a sports article, of the type comprising a locking mechanism intended to cooperate with a connecting member of the footwear, and of the type comprising a system aperture manipulable by a user for controlling the opening of the mechanism, characterized in that the opening system is capable of being manipulated, directly or indirectly, indifferently in at least two distinct directions of manipulation to control the opening opening of the mechanism. As a result, the user or a person assisting the user can choose the most appropriate control mode for him.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the opening system comprises at least two distinct control members which can each be manipulated in one of at least two directions of manipulation, thus favoring the possibility of better adapting the geometry of the control member to each of the two modes of manipulation. In this case, it can be provided that the opening system comprises a first control member which, when manipulated in a first direction, directly controls the opening of the locking mechanism, and a second control member which, when it is manipulated in a second direction of manipulation, controls the opening of the mechanism via the first control member

Alternatively, the opening system may comprise a single control member which is manipulable in the at least two different handling direction, thus favoring simplicity, low cost, and reliable operation of the device.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'ensemble illustrant une chaussure de ski de fond montée sur un ski par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif de fixation conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la partie avant du dispositif de fixation de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de cette partie avant;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de cette partie avant ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues similaires à celle de la figure 3, illustrant les deux directions de manipulation du dispositif d'ouverture ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe longitudinale d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de fixation selon l'invention ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues similaires à celle de la figure 7, illustrant les deux directions de manipulation du dispositif d'ouverture ;
• les figures 10, 11 et 12 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 7, 8 et 9, illustrant un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 13, 14 et 15 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 7, 8 et 9, illustrant un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 16, 17 et 18 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 7, 8 et 9, illustrant un cinquième mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• les figures 19, 20 et 21 sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 7, 8 et 9, illustrant un sixième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description, as well as on the following drawings:

• the figure 1 is a schematic overview illustrating a cross-country ski boot mounted on a ski by means of a fastening device according to the teachings of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a side view of the front part of the fixing device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of this front part;
• the figure 4 is a top view of this front part;
• the Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to that of the figure 3 illustrating the two directions of manipulation of the opening device;
• the figure 7 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention;
• the Figures 8 and 9 are views similar to that of the figure 7 illustrating the two directions of manipulation of the opening device;
• the Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to those of Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 13, 14 and 15 are views similar to those of Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 16, 17 and 18 are views similar to those of Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
• the Figures 19, 20 and 21 are views similar to those of Figures 7, 8 and 9 , illustrating a sixth embodiment of the invention.

The invention will be described here in its application to fixing devices for cross-country skiing.

The first embodiment of a fixing device 10 illustrated on the Figures 1 to 6 comprises a base 12 which is intended to be fixed on a sports article 11, in the occurrence therefore a ski, but that could also be directly integrated in the latter. The base 12 could also be made of several parts, some or none of these parts being optionally integrated in the sport article 11.

In the example shown, the device is intended to ensure the attachment of a shoe 14 having two-part connection means. The shoe comprises two connecting bars 16, 18 which are arranged in the sole of the shoe so as to be flush with it below. Link strips 16, 18 of this type are described in the patent applications EP-A-913102 and EP-A-913103 which will be usefully referred to for more details. Thus, it is here two cylindrical bars of revolution arranged across a longitudinal groove in the underside of the sole. The front bar 16 is for example located in the vicinity of the front end of the sole and the rear bar 18 is shifted rearwardly by a distance defined to be arranged at or in front of an area of the corresponding shoe to the metatarsophalangeal flexion zone of the user's foot. This arrangement of the binding areas is particularly appreciated in cross-country skiing because it allows, with a soft sole shoe, to maintain a flexion of the shoe corresponding to that of the foot. However, the invention could be implemented with connecting members having another geometry or another configuration, for example non-circular section bars, hooks, nozzles or grooves formed directly in the material of the sole, etc ...

The front bar 16 is intended to cooperate, in a manner known per se, with a locking mechanism 19 comprising a mobile jaw 20, hook-shaped, and a transverse edge 22 of the base constituting a fixed jaw, for the rotary locking of the shoe on the article of sport. Once locked in the locking system, the front link 16 can pivot freely inside the jaw, thus providing an articulated attachment of the front end of the shoe.

The rear bar 18 is intended to allow the attachment of an elastic return system integrated in a guide edge 24 of the device. Such an elastic return system is for example described in the document EP-768 103 in the name of the plaintiff. It thus comprises a connecting rod 26 having a hook-shaped front end 28 (intended to hook onto the rear bar 18), and a rear end connected to the base 12 so as to be able to slide longitudinally and pivot around it. a transverse axis. Elastic return means (not visible) tend to return the link 26 to the rest position illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . In this way, when the heel of the boot is raised, by pivoting the boot around its front bar 16, the rod 26, hooked on the rear bar 18, can follow the upward and forward movement of the shoe. rear bar 18, while exerting on it a return force which tends to bring the sole of the shoe towards the upper face of the ski.

The invention may also be implemented for devices comprising other elastic return means, for example having, in front of the fixing device, a elastic buffer against which the front end of the shoe bears when its heel lifts. In the latter case, the shoe may then comprise only a link bar.

The Figures 2 to 6 illustrate more particularly the locking mechanism 19 of the front bar 16 of the shoe. For clarity of the drawings, only the strip 16 of the shoe is illustrated on the figures 3 , 5 and 6 . The principle of operation of the locking mechanism is here perfectly known from the prior art (as for example in the systems marketed by the applicant under the trade name "SNS Profil Auto"), and it is described here only as a indicative, knowing that the invention can be implemented with other types of locking mechanisms.

As indicated above, the locking mechanism 19 essentially comprises a carriage 30 which is movable longitudinally between a rear locking position (illustrated in FIG. figure 3 ), and an advanced unlocking position ( Figures 5 and 6 ). The carriage, for example made of molded plastic material has an upper hook 32 curved upwardly and rearwardly. The carriage may comprise a metal reinforcement 34 which protects the inner face of the hook 32, which is intended to form a housing for the front bar of the boot. Indeed, when the carriage 30 is in the retracted position, the hook 32 is facing the transverse edge 22 of the base 12 to delimit with it a housing, open transversely at both ends, adapted to receive the bar 16. When the bar 16 is received in the housing and the carriage is in the retracted position, the bar is locked there and can only pivot about its axis. On the contrary, when the carriage 30 is brought to its advanced position, the housing opens upwards, allowing the output of the bar out of the housing, or its introduction into the housing.

Examples of fasteners 10 to be described are provided with self-locking mechanisms. It can be seen indeed that the locking mechanism comprises a compression spring 36 which is supported on the one hand on the base 12 and on the other hand on the carriage 30 to push the latter to its rear locking position. Furthermore, it can be seen that the hook 32 of the carriage and the transverse edge 22 comprise portions of ramps forming a V-shaped profile. A user can thus engage the front bar 16 of his shoe resting on the ramps of the hook and the edge. transverse of the base and, by simple vertical support, cause, thanks to the ramps, the advance of the hook, against the action of the spring 36. Once the carriage 30 has advanced sufficiently, the bar 16 can engage inside the housing, and the spring 36 can cause the carriage 30 to return to its locking position in which the hook 32 prevents the bar can go out of the housing. Such an automatic engagement locking mechanism is advantageous because it allows the locking of the boot on the fastening device without particular intervention of the user, unlike other mechanisms where the locking of the shoe requires one or more manual operations of the user.

In a known manner, the fixing device comprises a system that can be manipulated by a user in order to control the opening of the locking mechanism. However, according to one characteristic of the invention, the opening system that will be described is capable of being manipulated, directly or indirectly, indifferently in at least two distinct directions of manipulation to control the opening of the mechanism.

In the examples described, the opening of the locking mechanism requires causing the carriage 30 to move longitudinally forward of its locking rear position to its open forward position. Of course, with other locking mechanisms the opening control could require to control other movements of the moving part (translation, rotation or combination of both), and / or the same type of movement but with a different meaning .

In the first embodiment of the invention, the opening mechanism is arranged at the front end of the fixing device, and it comprises two separate control members which are each manipulable in one of at least two directions of manipulation.

The first control member is a lever 38 which is articulated by its hinge front end on the base 12 about a transverse axis A1. The lever is extended by a gripping pallet 40 which, in its rest position illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2 to 4 , it extends substantially horizontally rearwardly above the base 12. The latter is provided on its lateral faces, recesses 42 which make it very accessible to the user's hand the lateral edges of the gripping pallet 40 of the lever 38.

The second control member is a drawer 44 whose rear end is connected to the carriage 30 by a hinge pin 46 of transverse axis A2. The hinge pin 46 makes the slide 44 integral with the carriage 30 in translation. The front end of the slide 44 is connected to the lever 38 by a connecting rod 48 of transverse axis A3. The rod 48 passes through the front end of the slide 44 transversely from one end and has two transverse end portions which are received in slots 50 formed in parallel flanges 52 of the lever 38, which flanges extend vertically and longitudinally under the gripping pallet 40. Note that the front of the drawer 44 is transversely framed by the two flanges 52 and the two lights 50 are inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees forward and downward. The connecting rod 48 thus connects the slide 44 to the lever 38, allowing the two elements to have relative displacements in translation and in rotation.

Moreover, it can be seen that the drawer 44 comprises, in its front part, a head 54 which extends upwardly so as to project outwardly through an opening 56 arranged in the center of the gripping pallet 40 of the lever 38.

At rest, as illustrated on Figures 2 to 4 the lever 38 is resting in a low position on the base, while the spool 44 is itself, under the effect of the spring 36 and via the carriage 30, in a retracted and high position in which the connecting rod 48 which is connected to the slide 44 is received substantially at the high rear end of the oblique slots 50 of the lever 38.

According to the invention, the user can cause the opening of the locking mechanism by two separate actions.

First, as can be seen in particular in figure 5 , the user can exert on the head 54 of the drawer 44 a substantially vertical pressure from the top to the bottom, for example with the hand or with the end of a ski pole (the use of a stick allowing him to 'open the device without having to bend down). Under the effect of this pressure, the connecting rod 48 which is connected to the slide 44 will slide in the slots 50 of the lever 38. Indeed, the latter then remains stationary because it is in abutment on the base 12. Sliding in the oblique lumens 50, the connecting rod 48 will cause a transformation of the vertical force exerted by the user in a combined movement of the slide 44 (as in a cam system), this movement being the combination of a translation longitudinal forward and rotation about the axis A2 (anti-clockwise in the figures). Because the slide 44 and the carriage 30 are connected by a pivot connection, the longitudinal translational component of the movement of the slide 44 is directly transmitted to the carriage 30, which is thus controlled to its position before opening. Of course, as soon as the user releases his effort on the head 54 of the drawer 44, the spring 36 returns the slide 44 to its rest position, and, at the same time, the carriage 30 to its locking rear position.

Secondly, as illustrated in figure 6 , the user can grasp the handle pad 40 of the lever 38 and lift it upward, thereby causing the lever to rotate about the axis A1 (counter-clockwise in the figures). By this movement of rotation, the slots 52 of the flanges 54 of the lever 38 drive with them the connecting rod 48 which is integral with the slide 44. The slide 44 is thus driven forward, taking with it the carriage 30 to its position before unlocking. As in the first case of opening, as soon as the user releases the lever 38, the spring 36 returns the carriage 30 and the slide 44 to their rest position, and the latter brings back, via the connecting rod 48, the lever 38 to its initial position.

According to the invention, the opening system can therefore be manipulated in two ways. The first way is a pressure exerted essentially down. The second way is essentially pulling upwards. At any time, the user can choose how to control the opening of the mechanism that will be most convenient for him.

In this first exemplary embodiment, the slide 44, when it is handled downwards, directly controls the opening of the locking mechanism, and the lever 38, when it is handled upwards, controls the opening of the mechanism. through the drawer 44, so indirectly. Note also that the two control members move in different natures movements. It is also noted that the locking mechanism and its opening system share a single elastic return member, in this case the spring 36.

Other embodiments of the invention will be described very briefly below, with reference to the drawings, also very schematic, intended to illustrate different possible opening control systems. These exemplary embodiments are described in the context of fixing devices whose locking mechanism is designed as a sliding carriage, such as that which has just been described in a little more detail. In addition to other mechanisms are possible, it will be satisfied here with a schematic and summary description, elements identical or similar to those just described can thus be designated by the same reference numerals. In particular, to simplify the reading, these schematic diagrams do not show elastic return systems of the locking mechanism and / or the control members of its opening. Those skilled in the art can easily adapt known return systems, for example systems similar to the spring system 36 described above.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 it also comprises two distinct opening control members, but, unlike the first embodiment, these two members are animated, when manipulated by the user, of a movement of the same nature, in the occurrence a rotational movement.

Thus, the carriage 30 of the locking mechanism comprises a forward extension which terminates in a raised beak 58 having a bearing face 60 substantially vertical and facing rearwardly.

The opening system comprises a lever 38 which is articulated on the base 12 about a transverse axis A4. A rocker 62 is articulated on the lever and / or on the base around the same axis A4. It could possibly be articulated on an axis offset from the axis A4.

The rocker 62 comprises two substantially perpendicular arms which extend substantially radially from the axis A4. An upper arm 66 extends in a substantially horizontal direction towards the rear and has an upper face 68 on which a user can come to exert a vertical pressure directed downwards, for example with a ski pole. A lower arm 70 extends substantially downwardly and comprises a control finger 72 which bears forwards against the bearing face 60 of the raised beak 58 of the carriage 30. When the user presses down on the upper arm 66, 68 (see figure 8 ), it causes rotation of the rocker 62 about its axis A4 (clockwise in the figures), the finger 72 of the rocker 62 then pushing the raised beak 58 of the carriage forward, to its front position unlocking.

Note also that a stop 74 is provided to limit the rotation of the rocker 62 in one of two directions. The stop is carried by the lever 38.

When the user grasps the front end of the lever 38 and lifts it upwards (cf. figure 9 ), it causes a rotation of the lever 38 around the axis A4, but it also causes, via the stop 74, the rotation of the rocker 62, which, as seen above, causes the displacement forward of the carriage 30. In the example shown, the lever 38 has a lift pull 76 which facilitates the gripping and manipulation of the lever. However, this pull tab 76 is optional; it could be replaced by a flexible cord or by a particular geometry of the lever or be omitted, and it is not a control member separate from the lever.

In this embodiment, Figures 7 to 9 , the opening system comprises two control members: the rocker 62 which directly controls the opening of the locking mechanism, independently of any displacement of the second control member, the lever 38 which controls the mechanism indirectly via the rocker 62.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 , wherein the opening system of the locking mechanism comprises only one control member. As is apparent from the figures, the system is identical to the previous one, with the difference that the lever and the rocker are combined in one and the same piece: the rocker 78 which is articulated on the base 12 about the axis A4 and which comprises on the one hand an upper bearing surface 68 arranged behind the axis A4, and on the other hand front gripping means (in this case the pull tab 76) arranged in front of the axis A4, so that, to cause the same rocking movement of the rocker 78, the user can either press down on the rear surface 68 or pull up the front gripping means 76. In both cases, the rocker rotates about the axis A4 and, by means of a control finger 72, controls a translation towards the front of the carriage 30.

The fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention respectively described in Figures 13 to 15 and to Figures 16 to 18 they also comprise a single control member of the opening of the locking mechanism, which is, according to the invention, capable of being handled indifferently in two different directions of manipulation to control the opening of the mechanism. However, unlike the previous embodiment, the two manipulation directions correspond to movements of the locking member which are not of the same nature.

Thus, in both cases, the control member is a lever 80 which is connected to the base 12 by a connecting rod 82. This link rod 82 of transverse axis A5 is integral with the rear end of the lever. 80 and it is received in a slot 84 of the base 12 (or several parallel lights). The lumen 84 is substantially rectilinear and elongate in the longitudinal direction so that the connection between the lever 80 and the base 12 allows the lever to pivot about the axis A5 and to translate longitudinally. Furthermore, the lever 80 is supported by its front end on an inclined portion 86 of the base. The inclined face 86 is a face facing upwards and forwards, whose profile is thus inclined downwards and forwards. The lever has, for example, a peg or a roll 88 which is in contact with the inclined face 86. Furthermore, the lever 80 has, at its front end, an upper bearing surface 68, on which the user can exert an substantially vertical downward force, and side edges 90 forming gripping means to allow a user to grasp the front end of the lever to lift upwardly. Note therefore that the lever 80 is connected to the base 12 by a connection to at least two degrees of freedom.

In the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 to 15 , the lever comprises, at its rear end, an eccentric cam 92 which is arranged around the axis A5 and which is intended to bear against the rear bearing face 60 of the raised beak 58 arranged in front of the trolley 30. This cam 92 has an eccentricity such that, when the user causes the lifting of the lever 80 by pulling its front end upwards, the lever 80 then rotating about the axis A5 of the connecting rod 82, the cam surface 92 pushes the carriage 30 forwards (cf. figure 15 ). Note that the lever 80 can not then translate backward relative to the base 12 because the connecting rod 82 is locked back against the rear end of the light 84. The movement of the lever is then a pure rotation.

When the user presses down on the bearing surface 68 of the lever, the pin 88 tends to slide on the inclined face 86 so that it causes (by a camming system effect) a translation towards the before the lever 80. This translation is enabled by the fact that the connecting rod 82 can then translate forward in the light 84. The translation of the lever 80 is accompanied by a slight rotation of the lever around A5 axis of the rod, but it is essentially the overall translation of the lever that it carries with it the carriage 30, through the cam surface 92.

The fifth embodiment illustrated in Figures 16 to 18 differs from the previous only in that the rod 82 is in contact with the rear face 60 of the raised beak 58 of the carriage 30, and in that the lever has a rear face forming cam 94 which is intended to bear against face corresponding contact 96 of the base 12.

When the user presses on the upper bearing surface 68 of the lever (cf. figure 17 ), the lever 80 translates forward, as for the previous embodiment, and drives the carriage 30, this time through the connecting rod 82.

When the user raises the front end of the lever 80 (cf. figure 18 ), the cam 94 causes, as a function of the lifting angle, a horizontal translation towards the front of the rear end of the lever. This translation is then directly transmitted to the carriage 30 by the connecting rod 82. The movement of the lever here is a combined movement of rotation and translation.

In the sixth embodiment of the invention illustrated on the Figures 19 to 21 , the opening system comprises a single control member which is a slider 100 mounted to move in translation in the vertical direction in the base 12. The slider 100 has a central locking position ( figure 19 ) and two low and high opening positions ( Figures 20 and 21 ). The slider 100 is connected to the carriage 30 by a connecting element 102 which is mounted in the base 12 so as to be able to slide only longitudinally. The front end of the connecting element 102 comprises a transverse pin 104 which is received in a slot 106 formed in the slider 100. The light 106 has two branches: an upper branch 106a oriented upwards and forwards, and a lower branch 106b oriented downward and forward. In side view, as shown in the figures, the light 106 thus has a V-shaped profile whose tip is directed longitudinally backwards. When the slide 100 is in the central position, the pin 104 of the connecting element is engaged in the light 106 at the intersection of the two branches, at the tip of V.

When the user pushes the slider 100 downwards, the pin 104, which can not move vertically, is forced forward by the upper leg 106a of the light ( figure 20 ), driving with it the connecting element 102 and the carriage 30 forwards.

When the user lifts the slider 100 upwards, the pin 104 is forced forward by the lower leg 106b of the light ( figure 21 ), carrying with it the connecting element 102 and the carriage 30.

For the handling of the slider 100, for example, it has been provided that it comprises an upper bearing face 68 and a folding pull-piece 76.

Each of the embodiments of the invention makes it possible to design a fixing device that is particularly ergonomic in all circumstances. In embodiments with two separate control members, preference is given to the convenience of use, having the ability to better adapt the geometry of the control member to each of the two modes of manipulation. Thus, depending on whether the control member is to be pulled or pushed, for example, it is possible to better specify the control surfaces for, for example, facilitating manual gripping or support with an accessory. It is also easy to design control members having lever arm effects adapted to the effort that the user can provide according to the corresponding manipulation direction, in order to control with an equivalent facility the locking mechanism according to the two handling directions. In embodiments with a single controller, simplicity, low cost, and reliability of operation are preferred. Depending on the practice for which the fixing device is intended, or depending on the type of user targeted, one can thus choose one or the other of the embodiments, or even other embodiments derived from those illustrated or described.

Claims (18)

1. Device for binding a footwear (14) to a gliding apparatus (11), of the type including a locking mechanism (19) adapted to cooperate with a connecting member (16, 18) of the footwear, and of the type including a user-manipulable opening system for controlling the opening of the mechanism, characterized in that the opening system is directly or indirectly manipulable, independently along at least two distinct directions of manipulation for controlling the opening of the mechanism.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening system comprises at least two distinct control members, which are each manipulable along one of the at least two directions of manipulation.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening system comprises a first control member, which is manipulable along a first direction of manipulation for which it directly controls the opening of the locking mechanism, and a second control member, movable along a first direction of manipulation for which it controls the opening of the mechanism by means of the first control member.
4. Device according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the two control members are movable according to movements of the same type.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening system comprises a lever (38) and a rocker (62) that are movable according to a pivoting motion, in that the rocker is connected to a movable element (58, 60, 30) of the locking mechanism in order to directly control the opening thereof, and in that the lever (38) and the rocker (62) are connected by an abutment (74), such that the pivoting of the lever triggers a corresponding pivoting of the rocker, which controls the opening of the locking mechanism.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rocker (62) pivots independently relative to the lever (38).
7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the lever (38) and the rocker (62) pivot about the same axis (A4).
8. Device according to any of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the two control members are movable according to different types of movements.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening system comprises a pivotally movable lever (38), and a tilting slide (44) connected to a movable element (30) of the locking mechanism in order to directly control its opening, and in that the lever (38) and the rocker (62) are connected (48), such that the pivoting of the lever triggers a corresponding displacement of the rocker, a displacement which comprises at least one translational component that triggers the opening of the locking mechanism.
10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening system comprises a single control member (78, 80), which is manipulable along the at least two distinct directions of manipulation.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the two directions of manipulation are substantially opposite.
12. Device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the two directions of manipulation correspond to movements of the control member (78) of the same type.
13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the control member is a rocker (78) that moves according to a pivoting motion about its axis (A4), and which comprises two surfaces of manipulation (68, 76) arranged on both sides of the pivoting axis (A4).
14. Device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the two directions of manipulation correspond to different types of movements of the control member (80).
15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the control member (80) is connected to a baseplate of the device by a connection having at least two degrees of freedom.
16. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the control member (80) comprises at least one cam-type system (48, 50, 86, 88, 92, 60, 94, 96) to transform a movement of the control member into a movement for opening the locking mechanism.
17. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism is of the self-locking type.
18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises elastic return means (36) that also act on the opening system.

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