EP0740945B1 - Snowboard with blocks for raising the bindings - Google Patents

Abstract

The snow board (1) has a maximum thickness (E) and a width (L) in the central zone. Its lengthwise axis (2) corresponds with its direction of travel. Each boot has front and rear fixings (8,9) on a plate of thickness (F), set at an angle to the board's lengthwise axis and mounted on top of a wedge (14) with a height (H) above the surface of the board. At least one boot/fixing assembly projects over the edge of the board by a distance D. The height H of the wedge is equal to or greater than D-(E+F), and is more than 30 mm. The wedges can be made from wood, a metal alloy, a composition material or a plastic, and can have a vibration damping layer of a viscoelastic material. Their upper surfaces can lie parallel to the surface of the board or inclined downwards towards the toe of the boot.

Description

Technical area

The invention constitutes an improvement in gliding boards used in a unique way, and more specifically concerns the shims of raising the fasteners mounted on such boards.

Prior art

Snowboarding techniques are underway devolution. After a period during which we used surfing especially in powder snow and making relatively large turns wide, slalom in groomed snow, with turns close and fast attracts more and more surfers. The edges are therefore more frequently put into action, with inclination angles of the most important board.

For this mode of use, with regard to the shape of the surfboards, the current trend is therefore to make the area narrower and narrower median of the board. This reduces the toggle time from edge to edge, to increase the ability to chain turns tight and therefore speed up the speed in slalom. In addition, we increase thus the grip power of the edge.

However, the width of the surf is mainly conditioned by the length of the surfer's shoe. The disadvantage observed on existing surfboards (see for example the one disclosed in FR-A-2 669 237) is that if the ends of the shoe protrude, during the inclination of the board, they may touch the snow, so to cause the surfer to fall.

To use high performance boards so relatively narrow, some surfers are forced to change their position feet, in particular the angle of the attachment with the longitudinal axis of the surf, so as to prevent the ends of the shoes from reaching touch the snow. This adaptation leads to a position which is not natural for the surfer and which therefore does not allow a practice optimal.

To give an order of magnitude, traditional surfboards have a central area of approximately 260 mm wide, while the surfboards performers have a narrow area of about 160mm wide.

In addition, we also know another practice of sliding to using a single board in which the feet are arranged one behind the other on a narrow board, as illustrated in particular in US Patent 4,867,470. The position of the feet arranged substantially one behind the other allows the use of narrower planks, width generally between 100 and 200 millimeters, for which the risks of contact of the shoe with snow are all the more important.

Statement of the invention

The objective of the invention is to allow the use of a unique gliding board with narrow middle area avoiding snagging bindings or shoes on snow, and this in the case where the feet are substantially arranged across the board.

• la planche de glisse est d'épaisseur maximale E et de largeur minimale L dans la zone centrale et présente un axe longitudinal correspondant sensiblement à son axe de déplacement ;
• les deux fixations respectivement avant et arrière comportent une platine d'épaisseur F, et présentent chacune un axe longitudinal médian qui forment avec l'axe longitudinal de la planche des angles respectifs α et β, l'angle α étant compris entre 20° et 90°, l'angle β étant compris entre 45° et 110°, ces fixations étant destinées à recevoir les chaussures de l'utilisateur pour former des ensembles chaussures-fixations,

et comprend des cales de rehaussement des fixations par rapport à la planche, de hauteur H.
Il se caractérise :

• en ce que la largeur L de la zone centrale est comprise entre 160 et 200 mm ;
• et en ce que au moins un ensemble chaussure-fixation déborde, au moins d'un coté de la planche d'une distance D non nulle
• et en ce que la hauteur H de la cale mesurée au plus bas de la cale du côté de la planche où l'ensemble chaussure-fixation déborde vérifie la formule suivante: H ≥ D-(E+F) dans laquelle D représente la distance entre l'arête de la carre d'une part et la projection dans le plan de la surface inférieure de la planche du point le plus extérieur de l'ensemble chaussure-fixation d'autre part.

To solve this problem, the single gliding board-binding-shoe assembly in accordance with the invention is of the type in which:

• the gliding board is of maximum thickness E and minimum width L in the central zone and has a longitudinal axis corresponding substantially to its axis of movement;
• the two fasteners respectively front and rear comprise a plate of thickness F, and each have a median longitudinal axis which form with the longitudinal axis of the board respective angles α and β, the angle α being between 20 ° and 90 °, the angle β being between 45 ° and 110 °, these bindings being intended to receive the user's shoes to form shoe-binding assemblies,

and includes shims for raising the bindings relative to the board, height H.
It is characterized :

• in that the width L of the central zone is between 160 and 200 mm;
• and in that at least one shoe-binding assembly protrudes, at least on one side of the board by a distance D not zero
• and in that the height H of the block measured at the bottom of the block on the side of the board where the shoe-binding assembly overflows verifies the following formula: H ≥ D- (E + F) in which D represents the distance between the edge of the edge on the one hand and the projection in the plane of the lower surface of the board from the outermost point of the shoe-binding assembly on the other hand.

In this way, the height is raised sufficient to obtain a maximum attachment angle limiting the risks of contact of the shoe-binding assembly with snow, that is to say less than the stall angle.

Remember that the attachment angle is the angle formed by the plane from the bottom surface of the board and the surface of the snow when the plank is inclined around the lower edge of the edge, so so that the end of the shoe-binding assembly protruding from the board, touch the snow.

The angle of attachment on a gliding board conforming to the invention is therefore equal to or greater than 45 °.

In the practice of sliding on a narrow board, up to present, the user is obliged to minimize the angle made his foot with the longitudinal axis of the board to avoid any lateral overflow, which can be uncomfortable or even unstable.

The use of a wedge according to the invention allows the surfer to find a more natural, therefore more efficient, foot position, maintaining a satisfactory stall angle.

To further improve the stability and the ability to chain turns, we will prefer a hooking angle greater than 60 °, that is to say a wedge whose height H verifies the following formula: H ≥ 1.73.D- (E + F)

In a first embodiment, the upper surface of the wedge is parallel to the upper surface of the board.

In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface of the wedge is inclined towards the front of the shoe relative to the upper face of the board. In other words, the wedge raises the rear more than the front of the shoe to match the natural position of the user. In this case, the height H used in the formulas is, of course, the height of the hold at the lowest point of the shoe-binding assembly.

In practice, the wedge is made of a material chosen from the group containing wood, metal alloys, composite materials, and plastics.

Advantageously, the wedge also has a layer of viscoelastic material which absorbs part of the vibrations generated by the board.

In a variant allowing the weight reduction of the board sliding and customization of the raising, the wedge is made in two distinct parts located respectively in the area anterior and in the posterior zone of the shoe.

In a more sophisticated form of the invention, the wedge has recesses able to lighten it.

Always in order to get a hold as light as possible, it can be made up of two parts, namely a width pad on which rests a tray of dimensions compatible with the securing of the attachment. In this case, the height H to be taken account is the distance from the top of the surfboard to the base of the shoe-binding assembly.

Brief description of the drawings

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which follow, will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiment which follows, in support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a surfboard on which the feet are substantially across the longitudinal axis of the board.

Figure 2 is a top view of a narrower board in which feet are positioned substantially along the axis longitudinal of the board, but which does not fall within the scope of the claims.

Figure 3 is a section along the longitudinal plane of a shoe, of the board-wedge-binding assembly, showing the sizes features of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a variant of the invention shown in Figure 3 having an inclined wedge.

Figures 5 and 6 are sections also according to the plan longitudinal of a shoe of the invention for which the wedge is in two parts, respectively juxtaposed and superimposed.

Ways to realize the invention

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the unique gliding board consists of a board (1) of generally elongated, symmetrical shape relative to a median longitudinal plane (2). Of course, the invention also relates to surfboards having ends and / or asymmetric dimension lines.

This board has a tightening in its middle zone (3). The width L of this area is an important factor, because as already said, the current trend is to make increasingly narrow surfboards.

In known manner, the board receives two fasteners (4,5) which are arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the board. To take into account the natural position of the surfer, these fasteners (4,5) are placed across the longitudinal axis (2). According to users and type of practice, the tilt angles are different between the front foot and the rear foot. Typically in the practice with a board as illustrated in Figure 1, the axis (40) of the front leg (4) is oriented at an angle (a) between 20 ° and 90 ° by relative to the longitudinal axis (2), the toe being well heard directed forward from this position. For its part, the angle (β) that forms the axis (50) of the rear leg (5) with the longitudinal axis (2) is included between 45 ° and 110 °, i.e. the tip of the foot can be slightly directed either forwards or backwards from the surf, at the convenience of the user. The most commonly adopted position corresponds to 45 ° for α and 80 ° for β:

At the same time, practice with a board as illustrated in Figure 2 which does not fall within the scope of the claims, wherein the feet are substantially one behind the other, and where the board is relatively narrower, the axes (40, 50) front (4) and rear (5) feet are oriented at an angle (α, β) included between 0 and 20 ° relative to the longitudinal axis (2) of the board.

The shoe (6.7) and the binding itself (8.9) form a assembly (4,5) whose length or width exceeds the width of the board, especially with the new trend of narrow surfboards.

The difference between the length of the shoe-binding assembly and the width of the surf at the location of this attachment, allows determine the portion of the shoe-binding assembly that is overhanging the outside of the board, and which therefore risks catching during tight turns.

Obviously, on the same surf, this overhanging part (D) varies depending on the position of the bindings and their orientation by relative to the longitudinal plane of the board.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the invention consists in raising the fixing (8,9) thanks to a shim (14) so as to increase the value of the angle Ω which conditions the tilt limit of the front board the hanging.

This angle Ω is at the top of the edge (10) of the edge (11). It is measured between the plane (12) of the lower surface of the board (1) and the plane (13) tangent to the shoe-binding assembly (4,5). This angle corresponds to the tilt limit that the board can take when tight turns, without the binding touching the snow and causing so the fall.

E : correspond à l'épaisseur de la planche au niveau des axes (40,50) des ensembles chaussure-fixation (4,5).

F : est l'épaisseur de la platine de fixation, c'est-à-dire la distance entre la base de la semelle de la chaussure et la base de la fixation.

D : mesure la partie de l'ensemble chaussure-fixation débordant de la largeur de la planche, c'est-à-dire la distance entre l'arête de la carre et la projection dans le plan de la surface inférieure de la planche du point le plus extérieur de l'ensemble chaussure fixation.

According to the invention, this angle is chosen to be greater than 45 °, and even preferably to 60 °, which implies a minimum height at the raising block (14), this height being determined according to the characteristic parameters E, F and D can be identified in FIG. 3 and the definition of which is recalled below.

E: corresponds to the thickness of the board at the axes (40.50) of the shoe-binding assemblies (4.5).

F: is the thickness of the fixing plate, that is to say the distance between the base of the sole of the shoe and the base of the binding.

D: measures the part of the shoe-binding assembly extending beyond the width of the board, that is to say the distance between the edge of the edge and the projection in the plane of the bottom surface of the board of outermost point of the shoe attachment assembly.

Of course, the quantities E, F and D are expressed in the same unit of length, for example in millimeters.

In a variant illustrated in Figure 4, the shim (14) has a upper face (15) inclined relative to the upper face (16) of the board (1). This inclination corresponds in some cases to a particular natural position preferred by the surfer because it allows a bending of the user's leg. In this case, the height H used for the calculation is the distance between the surface (16) and the most shoe-binding assembly.

To facilitate manufacturing and assembly, it is possible to raise the front (20) and rear (21) of the binding using two independent wedges (22,23) (see fig. 5). In this case, we can get a inclination similar to that of the previous variant by choosing wedges (22,23) of different heights.

In the same spirit, the wedge can be made in several parts of different types and / or sizes, as illustrated in Figure 6. The portion (31) in contact with the board is a bearing surface stud reduced, making it possible to reduce the mass of the assembly. Above this stud rests a plate (30) capable of receiving the binding. In this case of figure, the height H to be taken into account is the cumulative height of the stud (31) and plate (30) assembly.

The shims characteristic of the invention can be made in all materials conventionally used in the field of surfing, especially wood, metal alloys, composite materials and plastics.

In a more sophisticated form, we can add to the wedge (14,31) a layer of viscoelastic material to absorb the vibrations generated by surfing. Note that these vibrations appear more easily in an aggressive surfing practice, with tight turns.

It is clear from the above description that surfing according to the invention combines the possibility of using a narrow surf (160 mm instead of the 260 mm conventionally used in the area narrowest median), therefore having a good ability to chain rapid edge changes while maintaining a position of optimal feet, i.e. either the rear foot being practically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the surf in case the feet are side by side, or feet slightly oriented transversely in the case where these are substantially one behind the other.

Claims (10)

1. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes comprising :

   a board (1) of maximum thickness E and a width L in the central zone, having a longitudinal axis (2) corresponding substantially to the axis along which it moves;

   two bindings, respectively front (8) and rear (9), including a plate of thickness F, each having a longitudinal mid-axis (40, 50) and which form respective angles α and β with the longitudinal axis of the board, said angle α being between 20° and 90°, said angle β being between 45° and 110°, these bindings (8, 9) being intended to accommodate the shoes (6, 7) of the user in order to form shoe/binding assemblies (4, 5);

   wedges (14), of height H, for raising the bindings relative to the board (1),

   characterized in that :

   the width L in the central zone is between 160 and 200 mm ;

   at least one shoe/binding assembly overhangs, at least on one side of the board, by a distance D different from zero,

   and wherein the height H of the wedge (14) measured at the lowest level of the wedge on the side of the board where the shoe/binding assembly overhangs, satisfies the following formula : H ≥ D - (E + F) in which D represents the distance between the corner of the edge, on the one hand, and the projection of the shoe/binding assembly (4, 5) into the plane of the lower surface of the board at the outermost point (52), on the other hand.
2. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height H of the wedge (14) satisfies the following formula : H ≥ 1,73 .D - (E + F)
3. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge (14) has a height H greater than 30 mm.
4. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper face (15) of the wedge (14) is parallel to the upper face (16) of the board (1).
5. The combination of a single giiding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface (15) of the wedge (14) is inclined toward the front of the binding relative to the upper face (16) of the board (1).
6. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wedge (14) is made of a material chosen from the group containing wood, metal alloys, composites and plastics.
7. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wedge (14) also has a layer of viscoelastic material.
8. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wedge (14) is made in two separate parts (22, 23) located respectively in the anterior zone (20) and in the posterior zone (21) of the binding.
9. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wedge (14) has recesses capable of reducing its weight.
10. The combination of a single gliding board, bindings and shoes, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge (14) is composed of a plurality of parts, namely a block (30) of reduced width on which a plate (31) having dimensions compatible with the fastening of the binding (8, 9) rests.

Images