EP0350411B1 - Releasable binding system for snow-boarding - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a releasable binding system for a snow board, such as, in particular, a monoski. The binding system comprises two individual binding members 2, 3, each member having elastic retention means intended to hold one of the feet of the user. Means 40, 41 connect each individual binding member 2, 3 to the retention means of the other binding member 3, 2 so that, when a boot is released, the retention means of the other binding member are disarmed, thus permitting the release of the other boot. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a set of triggerable bindings for retaining the two boots of a skier on the same gliding board, in particular, but not exclusively, a snowboard or a monoski.

Non-triggerable type bindings are known which are capable of retaining a shoe on a gliding board, without the possibility of tripping. These bindings do not allow the skier to practice this sport safely because, in the event of a fall, there is no possibility of shoe release.

Also known, in particular for monoski, bindings of the triggerable type, which are capable of releasing the boot when it exerts on the binding which retains the stress exceeding a predetermined threshold. However, there is no connection between the bindings which hold the two boots so that one shoe of the skier can be held on the gliding board, while the other was previously released due to excessive stress. This also presents a danger for the skier because, in the event of a fall, a shoe may remain tied to the monoski.

Faced with these known devices, the invention relates to a set of triggerable bindings for gliding boards in which the release of a shoe, following excessive stress, results in the release of the other shoe.

Such a device is known from US Pat. No. 4,652,007. This document describes a set of four traditional fasteners, two front fasteners, two rear fasteners which retain, in a triggerable manner, intermediate plates. On these intermediate plates, the shoes are fixed integrally. The two central fixings are mounted on a sliding plate. When an intermediate plate is released, the sliding plate has the possibility of moving, which increases the spacing between the two fasteners which hold the remaining intermediate plate. As a result, this remaining intermediate plate is in turn released.

This device gives good results, but however has the disadvantage that the four fastening elements must be aligned on the same axis for proper operation. In addition, the release of an intermediate plate acts on the spacing of the fastening elements which retain the other intermediate plate, and not on the restoring force which retains the other intermediate plate on the gliding board. In other words, the intermediate plate which is released last is not released by an opening or disarming of the fixing means which hold it.

Consequently, after releasing the two feet, manual intervention is necessary to re-center the sliding plate on the one hand, and to replace the bindings in the open position, ready to be fitted.

In addition, if, by accident, the sliding plate does not move after release of one shoe, the other shoe will not be released safely.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a device which connects, in a triggerable manner, the two boots of a skier on a gliding board, the relaxation of a boot furthermore causing the release of the other boot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which requires a limited number of operations to make it ready for fitting, after releasing the two shoes.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device in which the release of a shoe exerts an action directly on the energy which retains the other shoe.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will emerge during the description which follows.

The invention is defined according to the terms of claim 1. Particular embodiments of this invention are set out in dependent claims 2 to 10.

• la figure 1 représente une vue générale d'un sud de neige équipé de deux organes individuels de fixation, et de moyens de liaison ;
• la figure 2 représente, en coupe transversale, une plaque intermédiaire pour supporter la chaussure ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de côté de la plaque intermédiaire de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente, en coupe transversale, un organe individuel de fixation, en position normale de ski ;
• la figure 5 représente, en vue de dessus, et en coupe partielle, l'organe de fixation de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 représente l'organe de fixation de la figure 5, après relâchement accidentel de la chaussure ;
• la figure 7 représente l'organe individuel de la fixation de la figure 4 après relâchement de l'autre chaussure ;
• la figure 8 représente, en vue de dessus, et en coupe partielle, l'organe individuel de fixation, dans sa position de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 illustre une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 10 est relative à un détail de construction du dispositif de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est relative à une autre variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 12 représente le dispositif de la figure 11 en position normale de ski ;
• la figure 13 représente, en vue de dessus, et en coupe partielle, le dispositif de la figure 11 ;
• les figures 14 et 15 illustrent le fonctionnement du dispositif des figures 11 à 13 ;
• la figure 16 illustre une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 17 illustre une autre variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 18 représente un détail de réalisation de la figure 16 ;
• la figure 19 illustre une autre variante de réalisation.

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

• Figure 1 shows a general view of a snow south equipped with two individual fastening members, and connecting means;
• Figure 2 shows, in cross section, an intermediate plate for supporting the shoe;
• Figure 3 is a side view of the intermediate plate of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows, in cross section, an individual fastening member, in normal ski position;
• 5 shows, in top view, and in partial section, the fixing member of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 shows the fastener of Figure 5, after accidental release of the shoe;
• Figure 7 shows the individual member of the binding of Figure 4 after release of the other shoe;
• Figure 8 shows, in top view, and in partial section, the individual fixing member, in its position of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 10 relates to a construction detail of the device of Figure 9;
• Figure 11 relates to another alternative embodiment;
• Figure 12 shows the device of Figure 11 in the normal ski position;
• Figure 13 shows, in top view, and in partial section, the device of Figure 11;
• Figures 14 and 15 illustrate the operation of the device of Figures 11 to 13;
• FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment;
• FIG. 17 illustrates another alternative embodiment;
• Figure 18 shows a detail of embodiment of Figure 16;
• Figure 19 illustrates another alternative embodiment.

In Figure 1, there is shown a gliding board 1 which is a snowboard. It goes without saying that this is not limiting, and that the invention also applies to other gliding boards on which the two feet of the skier are held, for example the monoski which is a gliding board on which the two feet of the skier are held side by side.

Two individual fastening members 2 and 3 are fixed to the south 1 by any appropriate means, and in particular by screwing.

The individual fastening members 2 and 3 are intended to retain the skier's rear and front boots respectively.

As is known, the individual fastening members 2 and 3 can be mounted on the surfboard 1 according to variable orientations. Preferably, they are aligned on the longitudinal axis 4 of the surf 1, but this is not limiting.

Each individual member of the binding is in the form of a rectangular housing 5 whose upper surface has an opening 8 (respectively 6 and 7 for the members 2 and 3 of Figure 1).

The individual members 2 and 3 are intended to retain, in a triggerable manner, on the surf 1, the intermediate plates such as those represented in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each intermediate plate 9 has a support plate 10, on which the shoe is placed. , which is also equipped with traditional means for retaining the boot, for example a stirrup 11 at the front, and a rear spur 12, with a lever 13 for securing.

Under the support plate 10, the intermediate plate 9 has a core 15 which preferably extends in the middle region of the support plate 10.

Referring to Figure 2, the core 15 has, in cross section, a pointed end 16, and on each side, the core 15 has two recesses 18 and 19 which each have the shape of a cylinder portion in such a way that the width of the core decreases at the level of its recesses 18 and 19.

The skier's boots are intended to be retained in the individual fastening members 2 and 3 by intermediate plates similar to plate 9, the cores 15 of the intermediate plates being engaged inside the openings 6 and 7.

Referring to Figure 4, each individual fixing member comprises, inside its housing 5, two rollers 20 and 21 intended to engage in recesses 18 and 19 of the core 15, thus ensuring a retention of the core and the intermediate plate 9. The radius of the rollers 20 and 21 is preferably less than or equal to the radius of curvature of the recesses 18 and 19.

The rollers 20 and 21 are mounted in rotation about an axis. This is not, however, limiting, and the rollers could be replaced by stops of complementary shape to the recesses 18 and 19.

Preferably, the axis of one of the rollers, for example the roller 20, is mounted fixed relative to the housing 5, and the axis of the other roller 21 is movable in a horizontal plane, the spacing of the rollers 20 and 21 causing the release of the core 15, and therefore of the shoe.

The movable roller 21 is mounted on a support carriage 25, guided inside the housing 5. Two springs 26 and 27, located at each of the ends of the roller 21, urge the support 25 in a direction corresponding to the approach of the roller 21 and of the roller 20. The other end of the springs 26 and 27 bears against a support plate 30 which is maneuvered by a lever 31.

The lever 31 is movable between a closed position (Figure 5) and an open position (Figure 8). In its closed position, the lever 31 exerts a thrust on the support plate 30 which causes an elastic stress on the roller 21 in the direction of the roller 20, by means of its support 25 and the springs 26 and 27. The movable roller 21 is then finds himself in an armed position.

In this closed position, the lever 31 is held by a trigger 32 which is articulated, and which has a hooked end 33 for retaining the end of the lever 31.

In the open position of the lever, shown in FIG. 8, the action of the springs 26 and 27 causes the support carriage 25 and the plate 30 to separate from each other. This also causes the spacing of the roller 21 relative to roller 20. The movable roller 21 is then in the disarmed position.

To reach the open position of FIG. 8, the trigger 32 has tilted so that its hooked end 33 releases the lever 31. Preferably, a spring 35 recalls the trigger 32 in its initial position, that is to say that corresponding to figure 5.

Connection means also connect the two individual members of the binding 2 and 3.

These means are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 in the form of two flexible connecting elements 40 and 41. These elements are, for example, flexible and inextensible cables guided inside a sheath.

The connecting element 40 connects the support carriage 25 of the fixing member 2 to the trigger 32 of the fixing member 3. Conversely, the connecting element 41 connects the support carriage 25 of the member 3 to the trigger 32 of member 2.

Figure 5 shows for a fixing member the end of the two connecting elements. Thus, for one of the elements, the sheath 43 is retained in the wall of the housing 5 by a sheath stop 44, on the side of the support plate 30. The cable 45, guided inside the sheath 43, passes through the wall of housing 5, then the support plate 30, then the spring 27, and finally, it is crimped at its end onto the support carriage 25.

On the other side, in the same way, the sheath 46 of the other connecting element is retained at the wall of the housing 5. On the other hand, the end of the cable 47 is crimped on the trigger 32 in such a way that a pull on the cable 47 towards the outside causes the tilting towards the opening of the trigger 32.

Referring to Figure 4, in normal skiing, the two rollers 20 and 21 are biased towards each other by the springs 26 and 27, which has the consequence that the intermediate plate 9 is retained by its core 15. The movable roller 21 is in the armed position.

Figure 6 illustrates the case of an accidental release of the fastening member, shown in Figure 4, which caused the release of the shoe and its intermediate plate.

In the absence of the core 15, the roller 21 has the possibility of approaching the roller 20, which moreover causes the displacement, to the left of the figure, of the support support 25. This movement also produces the placing under pulling of the cable 45. This generates the opening of the trigger 32 of the other individual fastening member, and the release of the other shoe, in the same way as what will now be explained relative to FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, it is the other shoe which has been released by its individual fastening member. This relaxation causes the cable 47 to be put under tension in a manner similar to what has been described for FIG. 6; this traction generates the opening of the trigger 32 and the tilting of the lever 31, as can be seen in FIG. 8. Following this tilting, the plate 30 moves to the right of the figure, which also causes decompression springs 26 and 27. The roller 21 is biased towards the roller 20 by a decreasing force, and if necessary, which is canceled out. The roller 21 is actuated in the disarmed position. Therefore, at the slightest request, the plate 9 is released from the individual fixing member which retains it.

Thus, the release of a shoe causes the release of the other shoe by disarming the retaining means which hold this other shoe.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment according to which the two connecting elements 40 and 41 constitute the connecting means, and respectively connect a trigger 32 of an individual fastening member to the intermediate plate 9 of the other shoe. In this way, when a shoe is released by its intermediate fastening member, it causes tension of the connecting element 40 or 41 which is associated therewith, and an opening of the trigger 32 and of the lever 31 of the other fixing member. In this way, the other shoe, in turn, is released.

In addition, in this embodiment, the boots remain connected to the surf via the connecting elements 40 and 41, which prevents the surf from continuing on its own in the event of the skier falling.

After an accidental release, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, and in the variant of FIG. 9, the boot is made by placing the intermediate plates in their respective fixing member, then by closing the levers 31 in the closed cocking position, until they are locked by their trigger 32, which actuates the movable rollers 21 in the cocked position.

In the case where a single lever has opened, after an accidental release, it is this lever that the user must close after putting on his shoes.

The embodiment of Figure 9 has the advantage that the shoes can be raised in the fasteners 2 and 3 individually, that is to say one after the other. This has an advantage, for example in queues for ski lifts.

FIG. 11 represents a variant of the invention according to which the springs, which ensure the return of the movable rollers 21 of the two individual fixing members 2 and 3, are grouped in a central box 50.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, the movable roller 21 of the member 2 is connected by means of a tie rod 51 to the end of a compression spring 53.

Similarly, for member 3, the movable roller 21 is connected by a tie rod 52 to a spring 54.

The two springs 53 and 54 are substantially co-axial and arranged symmetrically. In addition, it is the inner ends of the spring 53 and 54 which are stressed respectively by the tie rods 51 and 52 so that the movement of the movable roller 21 of one of the members 2 or 3, in the direction of a spacing of the fixed roller 20, produces a compression of the spring 53 or 54 to which it is connected by the tie rod 51 or 52, respectively.

Inside the housing 50 are also arranged two drawers 55 and 56 which are guided in translation in the direction defined by the axis of the springs. The outer end of each spring 53 and 54 is in abutment against a drawer, respectively 55 and 56. The drawers can be brought closer to each other by a lever 57 which works in the manner of a toggle. This reconciliation of the two drawers 55 and 56 is made against the return force of the two springs 53 and 54.

FIG. 11 represents the device in the disarmed position, the lever 57 being in the open position. In this position, the springs 53 and 54 push the two drawers 55 and 56 on each side, and at the bottom of the housing 50. The two movable rollers 21 are in the disarmed position.

Figure 12 shows the device in normal ski position. In this position, the toggle formed by the lever 57 is closed, which brings the two drawers 55 and 56 closer together. The two springs 53 and 54 are compressed, which elastically urges the mobile rollers 21 of the two fixing members 2 and 3, in the direction of their respective fixed roller. The movable rollers 21 are actuated in FIG. 12 in the armed position.

In the armed position of FIG. 12, the two drawers 55 and 56 form, with the lever 57, a rigid assembly in the direction defined by the axis of the springs.

Figure 14 schematically illustrates the set of bindings in the normal ski position. The two drawers 55 and 56 are kept apart from each other by a distance D, and the two springs 53 and 54 tend to move them apart from one another.

FIG. 15 illustrates the case where one of the intermediate plates 9, for example that of the member 3, is released. In this case, the movable roller 21 of the member 3 approaches the fixed roller by a distance C. This approximation allows each spring 53, 54 to relax by C / 2, which moreover causes the disarming of the roller mobile 21 of the other fixing member 2. The intermediate plate 9 of this other member 2 can then be released following a very low stress.

To raise the two feet, following an accidental fall, it suffices to open the lever 57, that is to say to place it in the position of FIG. 11, to engage the two cores of the plates intermediaries 9 in their respective fixing member, then replace the lever 57 in the closed position of FIG. 12.

Preferably, the closed position of the lever 57 is a stable position.

FIG. 16 represents a variant according to which the tie rods 51 and 52 are replaced by flexible connecting members. Thus, FIG. 16 represents a cable 61 which connects the support 25 of the movable roller 21 to the inner end of its return spring 53, the cable being moreover guided inside a flexible sheath 60 between the outlet of the housing 5 of the fixing member and the inlet of the central box 50. Only part of the fixing assembly is shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 represents another variant according to which the lever 59 is locked by a trigger 32 similar to that which has been described in relation to FIG. 5. Unlike the previous case, the closed position of the lever is an unstable position, and this is the trigger 32 which ensures its locking in the closed position. A flexible link 71, 72 also connects each intermediate plate 9 to the trigger 32. In this way, in the event of an accidental fall, and the release of one of the intermediate plates 9, not only the retaining means which hold the other intermediate plate are disarmed, but also by means of one or other of the cables 71, 72, the release lever 59 is also actuated in the open position, following the tilting of the trigger 32 in the direction of an opening.

It should be noted that, in this case, the flexible links 71 and 72 still connect the skier's feet to the surf after the skier has fallen, which can prevent the surf from continuing its course.

FIG. 19 shows a variant according to which it is the shoe itself which is retained between the stops 20 and 21 respectively mobile and fixed.

These stops retain the shoe sole 90, at the recesses 91 and 92, similar to the recesses 18 and 19 of the intermediate plate 9 of the preceding figures. The difference with the above is that the initial spacing of the stops 20 and 21 is greater since it corresponds substantially to the width of a shoe sole.

The operating principle on the other hand is unchanged.

Claims (10)

1. Releasable binding assembly for gliding board, comprising two individual binding members (2, 3), each binding member presenting elastic retaining means adapted to retain and to release one of the user's boots when it exerts on its binding member a stress exceeding a predetermined threshold,
      these retaining means comprising, for each binding member (2, 3), two stops (20, 21) acting by elastic grip of a part of the boot or of an intermediate plate added to the boot, one of the stops (20) being intended to be connected rigidly to the board, the other stop (21) being mobile,
      and connecting means (40, 41, 51, 52) joining the mobile stops (21) of the two binding members (2, 3) so that, when one boot is released by its binding member, the other mobile stop (21) can be disengaged from its gripping position, thus releasing the second boot,
      each mobile stop (21) exerting its grip in the direction of the fixed stop (20) under the action of at least one spring (26, 27), which is urged in pre-stress by mobile pre-stress means (30, 55, 56) passing from an inactive position to an active position, at least one lever (31, 57, 59) being mobile between an open position and a closed position to actuate the spring pre-stressing means, in reversible manner by passing them from their inactive position to their active position.
2. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that each individual binding member (2, 3) is equipped with a lever (31) for actuating the means (20) for pre-stressing the spring or springs (26, 27) by causing them to pass from their inactive position to their active position, the closed position of each lever (31) is an unstable position in which the lever is urged by the pre-stress spring or springs (26, 27) towards its open position, a trigger (32) is adapted to block the lever (32) in closed position, and the connecting means comprise two cables (45, 47) which each join the mobile stop (20) of one of the binding members (2, 3) to the trigger (32) for blocking the lever (31) of the other binding member.
3. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that each individual binding member (2, 3) is equipped with a lever (31) for actuating the means (30) for pre-stressing the spring or springs (26, 27) by causing them to pass from their inactive position to their active position, the closed position of each lever (31) is an unstable position in which the lever is urged by the pre-stress spring or springs (26, 27) towards its open position, a trigger (32) is adapted to block the lever (31) in closed position, and the connecting means comprise two cables (45, 47) which each connect one of the boots or their support plate to the trigger (32) for blocking (31) the binding member of the other boot.
4. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each individual binding member (2, 3) comprises a box (5) inside which are housed the fixed stop (20) and the mobile stop (21), the lever (31) and the trigger (32) are articulated in rotation with respect to the box so that the free end (33) of the trigger can retain the free end of the lever in its closed position, and the cable (45, 47) of the connecting means acts on the trigger so that the trigger may release the free end of the lever.
5. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that, for each individual binding member (2, 3), the mobile stop (21) is borne by a mobile support (25), compression springs (26, 27) are in abutment between the mobile support (25) and a support plate (30), and the lever (31) exerts a direct action on the displacement of the support plate (30) against the return force of the compression springs (26, 27).
6. Releasable binding assembly according to one of Claims 2 and 4, characterized in that each cable (45, 47) of the connecting means connects the mobile stop (21) of one binding member (2, 3) to the trigger (32) and the other binding member (3, 2) so that a movement of the mobile stop (21) in the direction of the fixed stop urges the cable (45, 47) in traction, and the movement of the cable, under the effect of this urge in traction, acts on the mobile trigger (32) for it to release the free end of the lever (31).
7. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the respective springs (53, 54) of the two binding members (2, 3) are disposed in a central box (50), substantially coaxially, each inner end of each spring (53, 54) is urged by a traction means (51, 52, 60/61) connected to the mobile stop (21) of the associated individual binding member (2, 3), the outer end of each spring is in abutment against a slide member (55, 56), guided in translation inside the central box (50), and a lever (57, 59) connects the two slide members (55, 56) together so as to bring the slide members closer together, in closed position of the lever (57, 59), and to maintain the slide members close against the return force of the two springs (53, 54).
8. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the traction means is a tie rod (51, 52).
9. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the traction means is a cable (61) guided inside a sheath (60).
10. Releasable binding assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the lever (59) is locked in closed position by a trigger (32) and a supple tie (71, 72) connects the trigger (32) to each of the boots or intermediate plates (9) which bear the boots, so that a traction on one of the supple ties (71, 72) provokes opening of the trigger (32).

Images