EP0729771A1 - Support plate for a ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The thrust unit consists of a supporting plate (15) which is able to move transversely relative to the lengthwise axis of the ski, surmounted by a thrust plate (16) which can rotate relative to the supporting plate about the lengthwise axis (46), performing a limited movement. The supporting plate can turn about a vertical pivot (23) and is returned to its central position by a spring (31). It is mounted on top of a base plate (13) which has an upper surface film (20) with a low friction coefficient and is attached to the top of the ski.

Description

The invention relates to a support plate intended to be interposed between a gliding board and a shoe releasably retained on the gliding board in the practice of sports such as skiing, surfing or the like.

The invention also relates to a retaining element comprising such a support plate.

In the case of skiing, the boot is held on the ski by a front retaining element and by a rear retaining element.

Each retaining element has a movable jaw against the return force of a spring. The jaw is carried by a body, itself connected to the ski by a base plate. The jaw is provided to retain one end of the shoe, and to release this end in the event of excessive stresses.

The shoe rests on the front and rear on a support plate. The front support plate plays a particularly important role.

Indeed, in a case where the front retaining element is urged to release the boot, then the front part of the boot performs a relative movement relative to the retaining member in a lateral direction of the ski.

The prior art has proposed support plates which have a movable upper part in a transverse direction to accompany the front of the shoe during its lateral release.

Such support plates allow better control of the friction between the boot and the ski, insofar as the friction which delays the release of the boot is located between two movable elements of the plate, instead of being located between the shoe and skiing.

In certain cases, the movement of the support plate can modify the intensity of the restoring force that the spring opposes to the release of the shoe.

Such support plates are described for example in the French patent application published under the number FR 2 663 856, or else the European patent application published under the number EP 31 740.

The patent application published under the number WO 91/09654 also discloses a support plate movable relative to a base around a longitudinal axis. Such a support plate according to this document improves the connection between the boot and the ski, in order to have good contact with the snow.

An object of the invention is to improve the existing movable support plates to facilitate the release of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to propose a simple construction, inexpensive and easy to produce.

A support device for a shoe, according to the invention, is intended to be associated with a shoe retaining element on a board, the retaining element comprising a retaining jaw carried by a body, the assembly being movable at least laterally, the device comprising a support plate movable in rotation over a limited amplitude around a longitudinal axis.

The support device is characterized by the fact that the support plate is surmounted by a support plate, and by the fact that the support plate is movable along the support plate in a transverse direction.

One can imagine a reverse arrangement of the support plate and the support plate.

In this case, the support device for a shoe, according to the invention, is intended to be associated with a shoe retaining element on a board, the retaining element comprising a retaining jaw carried by a body, l the assembly being movable at least laterally, the device comprising a support plate movable in the transverse direction.

The support device is here characterized by the fact that the support plate is surmounted by a support plate which is movable in rotation relative to the support plate over a limited amplitude around a longitudinal axis.

In both cases, the advantage is that the two functions of transverse mobility and of mobility in rotation about a longitudinal axis are combined to facilitate lateral release of the shoe, in particular in the case where the front of the shoe tends to twist in its retaining jaw.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'un ensemble de retenue d'une chaussure sur un ski,
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée d'un dispositif d'appui,
• la figure 3 est une coupe transversale du dispositif d'appui selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une coupe longitudinale partielle du dispositif d'appui selon IV-IV de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue éclatée d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 6 est encore une variante de réalisation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, by way of nonlimiting example, how the invention can be implemented and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a view of a set for retaining a boot on a ski,
• FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a support device,
• FIG. 3 is a cross section of the support device according to III-III of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal section of the support device according to IV-IV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment,
• Figure 6 is still an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 1 represents an assembly 1 comprising a boot 2 held on a ski 3 by front 4 and rear 5 retaining elements.

The boot 2 and the ski 3 are partially represented without this detracting from the description of the invention. The length of the ski defines a longitudinal reference axis XX ′ situated for example on the upper face of the ski 3.

The letter X is located towards the rear of ski 3 while the letter X 'is located towards the front of ski 3.

The shoe 2 is supported on the front 6 and rear 7 support devices.

Each of the support devices 6 and 7 corresponds to the spirit of the invention. It will therefore be sufficient subsequently to describe only one, for example the front support device 6.

On the front side 11 of the boot 2, a base plate 13 secured to the ski 3 is both connected to the front support device 6 and to a front retaining element 4 well known to those skilled in the art.

The front retaining element 4 comprises a body 10 fixed relative to the ski 3 and a jaw 9 movable relative to the body 10 against the action of a spring not shown.

The jaw 9 maintains the front part 11 of the shoe 2 in position on the front support device 6.

By analogy, on the rear side of the boot 2, a base plate secured to the ski 3 is connected to the rear support device 7 and to a rear retaining element 5, which also includes a fixed body and a jaw movable against the spring action.

Such a retaining element 5 is well known to those skilled in the art and maintains the rear part of the shoe 2 in position on the rear support device 7.

The boot 2 is therefore immobilized with respect to the ski 3, under normal operating conditions.

However, it sometimes happens that the boot 2 detaches from the ski 3, in particular during a fall known as pre-torsion. In this case, the jaw 9 of the front retaining element 4 moves relative to the ski 3 in order to allow the shoe 2 to be separated, and the support device 6 behaves in a manner which facilitates this separation.

A non-limiting example of a support device is shown in exploded view in FIG. 2. It is in this case the front support device 6 which comprises a support means movable in rotation cooperating with a movable support means in translation on the base plate 13.

The axis XX ′ makes it possible to locate a longitudinal direction of the base plate 13; it is oriented along the length of the ski.

The base plate 13 is held on the ski 3 by means not shown, which can be screws passing through four orifices 14 in the base plate 13.

The support means movable in translation is for example in the form of a plate 15, intended to cooperate with the base plate 13 in the manner of a drawer.

Such a device and its operating mode are described in document WO 92/00126 of the applicant.

The support plate 15 bears on the base plate 13 through a film 20 with a low coefficient of friction, the film 20 however not being essential.

A rear tab 26 of the support plate 15 is inserted into a groove 19 of the base plate 13.

A front tongue 25 of the support plate 15 comes into contact with edge regions 24 of the base plate 13 and a tongue 40 of a cover 39 intended to be secured to the base plate 13.

It follows that the support plate 15 is held longitudinally and vertically with respect to the ski 3, while being able to move by translation on one side or the other of the ski 3.

Means are provided for limiting the amplitude of translation and for permanently urging the support plate 15 towards a position of median equilibrium of the device.

These means are shown in the form of two guide pieces 35 mounted at the two ends of a spring 31 in the form of a hairpin.

The guide pieces 35 cooperate both with an arcuate groove 21 of the base plate 13 and an edge 42 of a cavity 41 of the support plate 15, to imitate the amplitude of translation. The spring 31 is housed in a space 37 delimited by a cavity in the base plate 13 and the cover 39. The spring 31 permanently urges the support plate 15 via the guide pieces 35.

The support plate 15 is designed to cooperate with the support means movable in rotation which is for example in the form of a support plate 16.

Means allow the relative articulation of the support plate 15 and the support plate 16.

These means are shown in Figure 2 in the form of a pivot connection, along an axis 46 substantially parallel to the axis XX 'when the support plate 15 is in its median equilibrium position.

Two studs 43 and 44 are secured to the upper face 49 of the support plate 15. A stud 45 is secured to the lower face 50 of the support plate 16. The pots 43 and 44 and the stud 45 are each pierced by a hole, which allows the passage of a rod 47 along the axis 46 for the articulation of the support plate 15 relative to the support plate 16.

Of course, the amplitude of the relative movement in rotation is limited by contact of the plates 15 and 16 at their ends.

FIG. 3 provides a better view of the structure of the support device 6.

Only the essential elements are represented. The base plate 13 surmounted by the film 20 with a low coefficient of friction is linked to the upper face of the ski 3. The support plate 15 is in contact with the film 20 and able to move transversely, either in the direction of the arrow T1 , or in the direction of arrow T2. The support plate 16 is able to rotate relative to the support plate 15 along the axis 46 of the rod 47, in the direction of the arrow R1 or in the direction of the arrow R2.

A film 51 with a low coefficient of friction is attached to the upper face 52 of the support plate 16. This film is in direct contact with the shoe 2 and contributes to further reducing the friction which can generate a release of the shoe 2 by fall.

The section according to FIG. 4 shows the guide elements of the support plate 15 and of the support plate 16 at the same time.

The support plate 15 slides on the plate 13 and is guided by the groove 19, the edge zones 24 and the tongue 40 of the cover 39.

The support plate 16 pivots along the axis 46 of the rod 47 which passes through the studs 43 and 44 and the stud 45.

During a heaving, the support plate 16 accompanies the shoe 2 in a movement which is the combination of a translation and a rotation. The combined movement has the advantage of facilitating the lateral release of the shoe 2, in particular in the case where the shoe 2 tends to twist in the retaining element 4 around the axis XX ′ or a neighboring axis.

The embodiment which has just been described corresponds to a structure where the element movable in translation is situated on the side of the ski 3 while the element movable in rotation is situated on the side of the boot 2.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, one can imagine a reverse arrangement, such as that proposed in FIG. 5.

A base plate 70 is held on the ski 3 by means such as screws passing through holes 71.

A support plate 75 is connected to the base plate 70 by means allowing relative rotation between the plates 70 and 75.

These means are for example two studs 72 and 73 projecting from the upper face 74 of the plate 70 and provided to articulate, along an axis 76 around a pin 77, with a yoke 78 of the lower face 79 of the plate 75.

A support plate 80, for example made of stainless steel, is housed on the upper face 81 of the support plate 75, so as to be able to move relative to the latter in a transverse direction relative to the axis X- X '.

Two indented tabs 82 and 83 guide the plate 80 in two complementary grooves 84 and 85 of the plate 75.

The relative translation of the plates 75 and 80 is limited in one direction or the other as explained below.

The support plate 80 has a recess to form a cavity 86 opposite the upper face 81 of the support plate 75.

Two helical springs 87 and 88 are housed in the cavity 86, being separated by a pin 89.

Pawn 89 has a T-shape; it projects into the cavity 86 through a slot 90 located at the bottom of the yoke 78.

The pin 89 is immobilized by contact on the face 79 and on the pin 77.

As the plate 80 moves relative to the plate 75, whatever the direction of movement, one of the springs 87 and 88 opposes the movement until its turns are joined. At this time, the system is in abutment.

The springs 87 and 88 are preferably identical in order to ensure an elastic return of the support plate 80 in a middle position above the support plate 75. This structure of a device 6 combines rotation and translation as in the first example.

We can also propose an alternative embodiment such as that described in FIG. 6.

This variant has in common with the previous the following elements: the base plate 70 pierced by holes 71 on the upper face 74 from which two studs 72 and 73 protrude, as well as the pin 77 with an axis 76 substantially parallel to the 'X-X axis'.

A support plate 100 provided with a yoke 78 is articulated by the pin 77 on the studs 72 and 73 of the base plate 70 along the axis 76.

A belt 101 surrounds the plate 100 in a transverse direction of the ski substantially perpendicular to the axis XX '.

The belt 101 is guided by edges 102 and 103 of the plate 100, so that it can move according to the arrows F1 or F2 in the same way as a belt mounted on a conveyor belt.

The movement of the belt 101 can be likened to a lateral translation of a support plate. In the event of a fall causing the shoe 2 to become detached from the front retaining element 4, the belt 101 rotates around the plate 100 at the same time as the plate 100 pivots along the axis 76.

In all the examples given, the device 6 facilitates the release of the shoe 2 by associating a translation and a rotation.

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

In particular, a device 6 can be provided where a support plate is mounted directly on the ski 3.

Claims (6)

Support device (6) for a shoe (2) intended to be associated with a retaining element (4, 5) of the shoe (2) on a board (3), the retaining element (4, 5) comprising a retaining jaw (9) carried by a body (10), the assembly being movable at least laterally, the device (6) comprising a support plate (75, 100) movable in rotation over a limited amplitude around a longitudinal axis (76), characterized in that the support plate (75, 100) is surmounted by a support plate (80, 101) and that the support plate (80, 101) is movable the along the support plate (75, 100) in a transverse direction. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support plate (80) is resiliently biased in a middle position above the support plate (75) by at least one spring (87, 88). Support device (6) for a shoe (2) intended to be associated with a retaining element (4, 5) of the shoe (2) on a board (3), the retaining element (4, 5) comprising a retaining jaw (9) carried by a body (10), the assembly being movable at least laterally, the device (6) comprising a support plate (15) movable in a transverse direction, characterized in that the support plate (15) is surmounted by a support plate (16) which is movable in rotation relative to the support plate (15) over a limited amplitude around a longitudinal axis (46). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the support plate (15) is resiliently returned to a central position by at least one spring (31). Support device (6) for a shoe (2) intended to be associated with a retaining element (4, 5) of the shoe (2) on a board (3), the retaining element (4, 5) comprising a retaining jaw (9) carried by a body (10), the assembly being movable at least laterally, the device (6) comprising a support plate (100) movable in rotation over a limited amplitude around an axis longitudinal (76), characterized in that the support plate (100) is surrounded by a belt (101) in a transverse direction of the ski (3), and that the belt (101) is movable in translation along the support plate (100). Retaining element (4), characterized in that it has a support device (6) according to any one of the claims.

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