EP0582803B1 - Skiboot - Google Patents

Abstract

Alpine ski boot including a shell base (5) surmounted by an upper (2) obtained in one or more parts (3), (4) at least partially pivoting in the rear/front direction and including a device (35) for locking and unlocking with respect to the shell base (5), which consists of a stop zone (13) obtained on the latter and of an oscillating lever (11) forming a rocker, articulated on a spindle (12) arranged on the part (4) of the upper (2), and capable of interacting in terms of locking with the stop (13) through the action of a control member (10) which is accessible from the outside of the boot, the locking position of the latter corresponding to an adjustable reference initial advance position, from which the upper (2) is capable of deflecting angularly with respect to the shell base (5). According to the invention, the adjustment of the initial advance position of the upper (2) is effected by means (40) capable of modifying, in a vertical direction, the position of the articulation spindle (12) of the rocker (11) with respect to the front part (4) of the upper (2) which supports it, according to at least two adjustment values. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an alpine ski boot comprising a shell base surmounted by a rod which has a front part and a rear part obtained in one or more parts, the rear part of said rod being at least partially pivotable in the direction postero-anterior and / or antero-posterior and comprising a device for locking and unlocking the rod relative to the shell base, which is constituted by a stop zone obtained on said shell base and by an oscillating lever forming rocker, articulated on a transverse axis disposed on the rear part of the upper, perpendicular to its vertical median plane and able to cooperate in locking with the stop under the action of a control member accessible from the outside of the shoe acting against a return spring of said lever.

In this type of shoe, the initial position of the locking lever corresponds to an initial advance position with adjustable reference, from which the upper is capable of angularly struggling according to a predetermined amplitude relative to the shell base.

For this, it is known from European patent application No. 0 286 586, means for adjusting the advance of the rod consisting of having an adjustable connecting member between a rear part of the rod and an intermediate tilting cover, bearing , moreover, the scale which cooperates itself with the hull base, according to the aforementioned criteria.

Such a device is penalizing in terms of the construction of the shoe because it involves the implementation of an additional element, namely the tilting hood.

We can think that the device described in French patent application No. 2 647 649 solves this problem, by proposing a solution consisting in obtaining an advance adjustment, by making variable, either the length of the arm of the rocker, or the relative position of the stop.

Of course this leads to the creation of additional parts and consequently an increase in the assembly time of the shoe.

In other words, if the latter device solved one problem, it created another.

In addition, in the case of a variation in the length of the rocker arm, it must be admitted that the reliability of the latter, in the locked position, is made random, when it is known that it withstands compression / buckling, extremely important efforts.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing means for adjusting the advance of the rod which does not intervene in its structure, while retaining both a fixed and simple shell base stop. and an unchanged and proven monobloc type rocker, therefore capable of withstanding the forces applied to it over time.

To this end, the invention relates to a shoe of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the adjustment of the initial advancement position of the upper is effected by means capable of modifying the position of the axis in a vertical direction. articulation of the rocker with respect to the front part of the rod which supports it, according to at least two adjustment values.

The means for adjusting the position of the articulation axis of the rocker consist of two symmetrical elements capable of being housed in corresponding fixed housings formed respectively on either side of the internal and external faces of the rear part of the rod, which elements support the ends of said articulation axis in radially eccentric zones, relative to their fixed virtual center, merging with that of their respective housing so that a rotation of said elements around said virtual center causes the modification of the vertical position of said axis relative to the virtual center, hence the rod.

• La figure 1 est une vue de côté d'une chaussure de ski dont une partie, en coupe verticale, montre des moyens de réglage de l'avancée de la tige, selon l'invention, représentés en position de verrouillage.
• Les figures 2 et 3 représentent en coupe des vues de côté partielles de la chaussure, selon des positions d'avancée respectivement maximum et minimum et selon un premier mode de réalisation des moyens de réglage de ces positions.
• Les figures 4 et 5 représentent en coupe des vues de côté partielles de la chaussure comportant des moyens de réglage d'avancée identiques à ceux des figures précédentes, mais dont le dispositif de commande en verrouillage ou en déverrouillage est différent.
• La figure 6 est une vue en plan à échelle agrandie des moyens de réglage de la tige en position d'avancée minimum selon les figures 3 et 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VI VI de la figure 6.
• La figure 8 est une vue en plan à échelle agrandie des moyens de réglage de la tige en position d'avancée maximum selon les figures 2 et 4.
• La figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IX IX de la figure 8.
• La figure 10 est une vue en plan des moyens de réglage d'avancée de la tige selon un second mode de réalisation.
• La figure 11 est une vue en plan des moyens de réglage d'avancée de la tige selon un troisième mode de réalisation.
• La figure 12 est une vue en plan des moyens de réglage d'avancée de la tige selon un quatrième mode de réalisation.
• La figure 13 est une vue en plan des moyens de réglage d'avancée de la tige selon un cinquième mode de réalisation.
• La figure 14 est une vue en plan des moyens de réglage d'avancée de la tige selon un sixième mode de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, illustrating, by way of nonlimiting example, how the invention can be performed and in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a ski boot, part of which, in vertical section, shows means for adjusting the advance of the rod, according to the invention, shown in the locked position.
• Figures 2 and 3 show in section partial side views of the shoe, according to respectively maximum and minimum advance positions and according to a first embodiment of the means for adjusting these positions.
• Figures 4 and 5 show in section partial side views of the shoe having means of advance adjustment identical to those of the previous figures, but whose locking or unlocking control device is different.
• FIG. 6 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the means for adjusting the rod in the minimum advance position according to FIGS. 3 and 5.
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line VI VI of FIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the means for adjusting the rod in the position of maximum advance according to FIGS. 2 and 4.
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line IX IX of FIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a plan view of the means for adjusting the advance of the rod according to a second embodiment.
• FIG. 11 is a plan view of the means for adjusting the advance of the rod according to a third embodiment.
• FIG. 12 is a plan view of the means for adjusting the advance of the rod according to a fourth embodiment.
• FIG. 13 is a plan view of the means for adjusting the advance of the rod according to a fifth embodiment.
• FIG. 14 is a plan view of the means for adjusting the advance of the rod according to a sixth embodiment.

By way of illustrative, nonlimiting example, the shoe 1 designated overall, and represented in FIG. 1, is of the "mixed entry" type.

According to the invention, the ski boot 1 comprises a rod 2 having a front part 3, and a rear part 4 or rear cover, and a shell base 5 to which the rear part 4 of the rod 2 is connected by the intermediate rivets 6, the front part 3 of the rod 2 consisting of an extension of the shell base 5.

A three-point tightening system 7 a , 7 b , 7 c , and of closing the rod 2 on the lower leg of the skier, comprises, in a manner known per se, three tensioning levers 8 a , 8 b , 8 c separate which subject tension elements such as cable loops 9 a , 9 b , 9 c partially surrounding the rod 2 to its front part to be tensioned by said tensioning levers 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , fixed by example on the lateral wings coming from the rear cover 4 for the levers 8 a and 8 b and on the front part of the shoe for the lever 8 c .

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the shoe 1 is provided with an immobilizing device 35 of the upper 2, acting only in the anteroposterior direction; this immobilization device has a control member 10 acting on an oscillating lever 11 around a transverse axis 12 fixed in the rear part of the rod 2; the lever 11 oscillates in two positions, one in which a lower end portion 11a of the lever 11 abuts against a rear stop 13 of the shell base 5 in the heel for a selected tilt position to the front of the rod, corresponding to an active position for skiing, and the other in which said lower part 11 has escaped from the rear stop 13 of the bottom of the shell 5 to release the rod from any angular positioning constraint , the rotary control member 10 then acting on another part 11 b opposite the end 11 a of the oscillating lever against an elastic member 14, which elastic member is disposed in a housing 15 formed at the part lower 11 a of the lever 11 and acts in reaction against a lower part 16 a of a stiffening beam 16 constituting the wall of the rear cover 4 of the rod 2. The axis 12 of the lever 11 is mounted in and between the walls 16 b of the stiffening beam 16. The rotary control member 10 is able to swirl in a coaxial housing 17 forming a bearing formed in said rear part 4 of the rod 2, and in which said rotary member 10 is fixed, free to rotate. swing lever; for this purpose, the rotary member 10 comprises respectively, arranged on either side of the wall of the beam 16, an external gripping part 18 which can be actuated manually in rotation, and an internal part 19 acting by means of a cam 19 a on part 11 b of the oscillating lever 11, which in fact constitutes the feeler member of the cam, the two parts 18 and 19 being interconnected by means of a cylindrical bearing 20 housed in the bearing 17 practiced in rod 2.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the cam 19 a is constituted by the very front end of the internal part 19 of the rotary control member 10, and acts on the end 11 b of the lever 11 opposite its lower end 11 a , between which ends 11 a , 11 b is located the transverse axis 12.

The front cam 19 a of the control member 10 is preferably hollow, that is to say comparable to the end of a tube, and constituted by an inclined plane forming a ramp whose peripheral zone is in contact permanent with one of the ends 11 b of the oscillating lever 11. This cam has a low point 24 and a high point 25 which correspond respectively to an immobilization position in the antero-posterior direction or, conversely, to a position angular freedom thereof, for a certain angular rotation in one direction or the other applied to the gripping portion 18 of the rotary actuator 10.

In the present example also, the gripping part 18 of the rotary actuator 10 is constituted by a flywheel 18 a , 18 b arranged radially with respect to the longitudinal axis xx 'of said member 10 and forming between them a flat angle.

Of course, this gripping portion 18 of the operating member may be of any other shape, such as for example generally circular and in the form of a drum. In all cases, the gripping part 18 of the control member 10 is rigidly connected to its cylindrical axis 20, for example by means of a drive square 21. It is essential to note that the gripping part 18 of the rotary actuator 10 generates a volume of revolution substantially corresponding to that of a housing 22, formed in the rod 2 in which takes place said gripping part 18, remaining in a single plane, without offset relative to the external wall of the rod 2, whatever the relative position of the cam 19 a with respect to the oscillating lever 11.

The retaining of the rotary actuator 10 on the wall 16 a of the rod 2, which wall here constitutes part of the stiffening beam 16, is ensured by pinching said wall between the gripping part 18 and a circular shoulder 19 b of the internal part 19 forming the cam 19 a .

Also, the cam 19 a has, at its highest part, a retaining zone 19 c which corresponds to the high point of unlocking in the form of a bowl on which the corresponding end 11 b of the lever 11 is positioned to offer a stable unlocked position. . This position is obtained by exerting a simple rotation in the direction F1 around the axis xx ', exerted on the fins 18a, 18b of the gripping part 18.

The rotation of the cam 19 a , thus caused, then causes the end 11b of the lever 11 in an angular displacement around its axis 12 according to values such as the difference in height between the low point 24 of the ramp and its high point 25 corresponds at least to a pivot angle of the lever 11 allowing its lower part 11a to escape from the stop 13 in order to assume an unlocking position capable of making free the angular movement of the rear part 4 of the rod 2.

Such a locking and unlocking device 35 is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking and unlocking device 35A essentially differs from the previous one in that the control member, not shown in this case, is accessible not from the rear but on the side of the shoe and acts in rotation on a rotary cam 30 whose eccentric profile 31 is able to rotate about an axis 32 under the action of the lateral control member. The cam 30 acts on the lever or rocker 11 in two positions: one of locking corresponding to the pressing of the end 11 b of said lever 11 on a flat 30 a of the cam 30, distant from the fixed axis 32 at a given distance and the other for unlocking (not shown), corresponding to the pressing of the end 11 b on another flat 30 b of the same cam 30, opposite the flat 30 a and distant from the axis 32 along a distance greater than that of said flat 30 a with respect to the same axis 32.

According to the invention, the adjustment of the initial advance position of the rod 2 is carried out by means 40 capable of modifying in a vertical direction the position of the articulation axis 12 of the rocker 11 relative to the rear part 4 of the rod 2 which supports it, according to at least two adjustment values x, x 'corresponding to a position 12A and a position 12B.

It can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5 that the value x separating the axis 12 from the upper end 11 b of the lever 11 corresponding to its position 12B, is greater than the value x ', separating the same axis 12 in its reverse position 12A, from said end 11b .

Consequently, and as also particularly well shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the advance value Y separating the lower zone 4 a from the rear part 4 of the rod 2 from the zone 5 a from the shell base 5, is more greater than the distance Y 'obtained after turning the hinge pin 12 (fig 2 and 4) from its position 12B to its position 12A (fig 3 and 5).

More specifically, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, the means for adjusting the position 40 of the hinge pin 12 of the rocker 11 are constituted by two symmetrical elements 50 adapted to be housed in housings fixed correspondents 51 formed respectively on either side of the internal 4 b and external 4 c faces of the rear part 4 of the rod 2, which elements 50 support the ends of said articulation axis 12 in zones eccentrically radially, with respect to at their fixed virtual center 0, merging with that of their respective housing 51 so that a rotation of said elements 50 around said virtual center 0 causes the vertical position of said axis 12 to change relative to virtual center 0, d 'or rod 2.

According to the example of Figures 1 to 9 and more particularly in Figures 6 and 8, we see that when the axis 12 located on the horizontal line W, W '(fig 6) leaves its position 12A for a new opposite position 12B (fig 8), the distance "d" separating these two positions 12A-12B is equal to twice the distance "d1" separating said line W, W 'from the horizontal line Z, Z' passing through the virtual center 0 of the elements 50.

Furthermore, and logically, the above-mentioned distance "d" is equal to the difference xx 'corresponding to the above-mentioned values separating the end 11b of the lever 11 relative to the axis 12 according to its position 12A or 12B.

Furthermore, a mechanical connection of the hinge pin 12 relative to its support elements 50 from which the rear part 4 of the rod 2 is effected by the same axis 12, one end 12 a of which has a head 60 maneuverable in rotation, bearing on one of the elements 50, and the other end 12 b of which has a threaded part cooperating with a tightening nut 61 bearing on the other element 50.

The head 60 of the axis 12 and / or of the nut 61 are embedded in their respective support element 50.

In the present embodiment of the advance adjustment means, the support elements 50 of the hinge pin 12 are of oblong shape, the ends of which are rounded. But of course they can also be generally quadrangular.

Thus, for example, the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 essentially differs from the previous one in that the support elements 50A are of rectangular shape.

According to a third embodiment shown in Figure 11 the support elements 50B of the hinge pin 12 are square in shape to allow vertical adjustment of said hinge pin in four positions I, II, III, IV, by successive rotations at an angle of 90 °, around their virtual center 0.

According to the first and second cases mentioned above, the support elements 50, 50A of the hinge pin 12 are reversible by rotation on themselves at an angle of 180 ° around their virtual center 0 to allow vertical adjustment of the hinge pin 12 in two extreme positions.

According to a fourth alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the support elements 50C are in the form of an equilateral triangle, so as to be able to take three positions I, II, III by rotation of 120 ° around the virtual center 0, positions II and III being offset relative to the rod 2 but being at the same level relative to the vertical.

According to a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the support elements 50D of the hinge pin 12 are circular to allow vertical multi-position adjustment I, II, III, ..., of the hinge pin , around their virtual center 0 and comprising means of immobilization in rotation, after adjustment.

The means for immobilizing the circular support elements 50D consist of radial teeth 70 produced peripherally on the face of the elements 50D, starting from their virtual center 0 and cooperating with at least one corresponding notch formed in a corresponding zone of the bottom of the housings of said elements 50D.

According to a sixth alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, this differs essentially from the previous one in that the means for immobilizing the circular support elements 50E consist of peripheral teeth 80 produced on the said elements 50E and cooperating with corresponding notches 81 produced in the housings of the elements 50E.

In all the aforementioned cases, the position of the hinge pin of the lever or rocker 11 changes position by loosening the nut 61, by rotation exerted on the screw head 60 using a appropriate and sufficient tool to allow the support elements 50 to 50E to be extracted from their respective housing, then after adequate positioning according to the chosen advance of the rod, a tightening of the screw-nut assembly 60 is carried out, 61.

Claims (11)

1. Alpine ski boot comprising a shell base (5) surmounted by an upper (2) having a front portion (3) and a rear portion (4) made of one or several pieces, said rear portion (4) of the upper (2) pivoting at least partially in a rear/front and/or front/rear direction and comprising a device (35) for locking and unlocking the upper (2) in relation to the shell base (5), which is constituted by a stop zone (13) provided on the said shell base (5) and by a pivoting lever (11) forming a rocker device articulated on a transverse axis (12) on the rear portion (4) of the upper (2), perpendicular to its medial vertical plane and adapted to cooperate in locking said upper in position by cooperating with the stop (13) when acted upon by a control device (10) accessible from the outside of the boot acting in opposition to a return spring (14) associated with the said lever (11), the locked position of the latter corresponding to an initial adjustable forward extension reference position from which the upper (2) can pivot angularly in relation to the shell base (5) at a predetermined amplitude, characterized in that the adjustment of the initial forward extension position of the upper (2) is effected through the intermediary of means (40) capable of modifying vertically the position of the axis of articulation (12) of the rocker (11) in relation to the rear portion (4) of the upper (2) which supports it, according to at least two adjustment values determining different positions (12A and 12B) of the axis of articulation.
2. Boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (4) for position adjustment of the axis of articulation (12) of the rocker (11) are constituted by two symmetrical elements (50, 50A to 50E) capable of being housed in corresponding stationary recesses (51) provided on either side of the inner (4b) and outer faces (4c), respectively, of the rear portion (4) of the upper (2), which support elements (50, 50A to 50E) support the ends of the said axis of articulation (12) in areas offset radially from their fixed virtual center (0), merging with that of their respective recess (51) in such a way that a rotation of the said elements (50, 5A to 50E) around the said virtual center (0) causes modification of the vertical position of the said axis of articulation (12) relative to the virtual center (0), and thus of said upper (2).
3. Boot according to claim 2, characterized in that the support elements (50, 50E) of the axis of articulation (12) are circular, so as to allow vertical multiple-position adjustment (I, I, III...) of the axis of articulation around their virtual center (0) and comprising means for arresting rotation after adjustment.
4. Boot according to claim 2, characterized in that the support elements (50A, 50B) of the axis of articulation have an overall quadrilateral shape.
5. Boot according to claim 4, characterized in that the support elements (50B) of the axis of articulation (12) are square, so as to allow vertical adjustment of said axis of articulation between four positions (I, II, III, IV) by successive rotations at an angle of 90° around their virtual center (0).
6. Boot according to claim 4, characterized in that the support elements (50) of the axis of articulation (12) are oblong and have rounded edges.
7. Boot according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that wherein the support elements (50, 50A) of the axis of articulation (12) are rotationally reversible on themselves at an angle of 180° around their virtual center (0), so as to allow vertical adjustment of the axis of articulation (12) according to two ends positions (12A, 12B).
8. Boot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanical link from the axis of articulation (12) to its support elements (50, 50A to 50E), and thus from the rear portion (4) of the upper (2), is effected by the axis (12) itself, of which one end (12a) comprises a head (60) that can be rotated and that is supported on one of the elements (50, 50A to 50E), and of which the other end (12b) comprises a threaded part cooperating with a tightening nut (61) resting on the other element (50, 50A to 50E).
9. Boot according to claim 8, characterized in that the head (60) of the axis (12) and the nut (61) are embedded in their respective support elements (50, 50A to 50E).
10. Boot according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for immobilization of the circular support elements (50E) are constituted by peripheral teeth (80) provided on the said elements (50E) and cooperating with corresponding notches (81) provided in the recesses of the elements (50E).
11. Boot according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for immobilization of the circular support elements (50D) are constituted by radial teeth (70) produced on the said elements (50D), from their virtual center (0) and cooperating with at least one corresponding notch cut in a corresponding area of the bottom of the recesses of the said elements (50D).

Images