EP0765680A1 - Element and device for holding a boot on a surf-board - Google Patents

Abstract

The binding consists of a jaw (4) which can be moved between retaining and release positions, a body (2) which carries the jaw and is attached to the ski by a base, and a jaw return mechanism with a spring (15) and a locking member (16), and a feeler which provides local support for the boot sole, e.g. at the heel end. The binding incorporates a connector between the feeler and the return mechanism, comprising a moving lever (66) designed to augment the pressure of the spring (15), and a neutraliser (69) to prevent the movement of the lever. It also has a regulating screw (20) to control the pre-tension of the return spring (15). The neutraliser (69) comprises an elbow joint or flexible vanes within the length of a slider.

Description

The invention relates to a shoe retaining element on a gliding board, in particular on an alpine ski. The invention also relates to an assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding board, in particular an alpine ski. Secondly, the invention relates to a fixing assembly intended to retain a boot bearing on a ski.

In the case of alpine skiing, it is known to hold a boot in abutment by a front retaining element and a rear retaining element, which respectively hold the front and rear ends of the boot.

Each retaining element generally has a jaw carried by a body, the body being connected to the ski by a base. The jaw is movable between a position where it retains the shoe, and a position where it allows the release of the shoe. An elastic return mechanism, generally constituted by a compression spring, opposes a force of resistance to the movement of the jaw.

The resistance force is determined by the stiffness of the spring, as well as by an adjustment means, usually a screw or a threaded plug, which makes it possible to adjust the initial compression of the spring. The adjusting means usually makes it possible to adjust the hardness of the fastening element on a hardness scale which is defined by the nature of the spring. The hardness is significant of the effort that the shoe must overcome to be released.

During skiing, this force is only influenced by the friction of the boot in its retaining jaw.

Known from the German patent application published under number 29 16 352 a return mechanism comprising in parallel a spring and a damping member which opposes the compression of the spring a resistance all the higher as the stress on the opening of the jaw is more violent.

Such a mechanism makes it possible to increase the force that the jaw must overcome to release the shoe as a function of the speed at which the shoe biases the jaw upon opening. Thus, for low speeds, corresponding overall to situations where the skier is stopped or skiing slowly, the force to be overcome is relatively low. On the contrary, If the skier skis faster, his shoe stresses the jaw more violently, and the jaw offers stronger resistance to opening.

The implementation of such a construction proves to be difficult because it is necessary to control the damping member which must be compact, and the flow of the fluid inside of it. In addition, to obtain a reliable effect, the fluidity of the fluid must be insensitive to temperature variations.

The problem posed by the invention is to improve the operation of the existing retaining elements.

The invention proposes to adapt, during skiing, the hardness of the binding element to the conditions of use of the binding element.

It aims in fact to obtain an effect of the same type as that obtained with document 29 16 352, but by other means basing the increase in the restoring force of the jaw on a different source of information, in particular the force support that the skier transmits to the ski by supporting the heel of the boot.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device which adapts the hardness of the fastening element, the effect of which is neutralized under certain circumstances, in particular in certain configurations of falls.

Another object of the invention is to propose a binding assembly which has an action on the pressure distribution of the ski on the snow.

These and other objects which will appear during the following description are achieved by the invention as defined in claim 1.

It should be noted that there are known compensation mechanisms using a feeler located under the shoe which acts on the jaw return mechanism. Such a device is for example described in the German patent application published under the number 33 07 022.

These mechanisms however have an opposite effect to that sought by the present invention. Indeed, these mechanisms lower the restoring force that the jaw must overcome to release the shoe, in order to compensate for the increase in friction between the shoe and the jaw. As will become apparent from the following description, the invention is not incompatible with such mechanisms.

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

Figure 1 is a general side view of a set of fasteners implementing the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial top view of the assembly of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view in section of the front fixing element of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 represents in top view and in two half-sections along different planes the fixing element of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, in the presence of the shoe.

Figure 6 shows in side view and in partial section the assembly of Figure 1 at the rear fixing element.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a component of the fixing element shown in FIG. 3.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1, and illustrates the mode of operation of the device.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 8 and illustrates another phase of operation of the device.

Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention.

Figure 11 shows schematically another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 represents the middle part of a ski which is equipped with a set of fastening elements comprising a front retaining element and a rear retaining element, and an intermediate connection between the two elements.

The front fixing element 1 represented in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 is essentially known from the French patent application published under the number FR 2 640 516.

It comprises a body 2 connected to a base 3 which is integrally connected to the ski by any suitable means and for example by screws. Seen from above, the base has a "U" shape open towards the rear, with two lateral branches 3a and 3b.

The body is movable vertically relative to the base, for example by a deformable link, located in zone 9 at the junction between the body and the base. The body and the base are connected continuously by this deformable zone and form a one-piece element.

Preferably, the body has in its lower part a centering stud 2a, which is designed to be engaged between the two branches 3a and 3b of the base.

The body 2 carries a jaw 4 for retaining the front end of the shoe. The jaw 4 comprises two lateral retaining wings 5 and 6, respectively articulated to the body 2 around axes 7 and 8. The jaw 4 also includes a sole clamp 12 for vertical retention of the shoe.

The wings 5 and 6 are movable in response to the stresses of the shoe, against the restoring force applied to them by a spring 15.

The spring 15 is housed in the body. It actuates a piston 16 also housed and guided in the body for a longitudinal translational movement. The figures show that the piston is housed and guided in a housing 17 of the body, and that the spring is engaged inside the piston. Its front end bears against the bottom of the piston, located on the front side of the fixing element. A screw 20, the head of which is retained at the front of the body moreover passes through the piston and the spring, and has a nut 21 towards the rear which retains the rear end of the spring. A rotation of the screw moves the rear end of the spring 15, which makes it possible to adjust the initial compression of the spring.

The wings 5 and 6 have, beyond their axis of articulation to the body 7 and 8, a small arm 5a, 6a, which drives the piston 16 towards the rear, bearing against a shoulder 23 situated in the upper rear part of the piston 16.

The fastening element 1 also comprises a support device for the front end of the shoe sole.

The support device has a support plate 25 on which the shoe sole rests. The plate 25 can be equipped in its upper part with any suitable coating intended to facilitate lateral sliding of the shoe, for example a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) plate. It has a width which is of the order of the width of the ski at this level. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 25 is articulated around a transverse axis 26, which is carried by a bearing secured to the base 3 or connected integrally to the ski.

The element 1 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 also has a compensation mechanism which alleviates the restoring force that the spring 15 exerts on the wings 5 and 6.

This mechanism comprises a rocker 30 which is partly housed between the branches 3a and 3b of the base 3. The rocker is articulated around an axis 32 carried by these branches.

The rocker 30 has an approximately horizontal wing 33 which is accessible on the rear of the fixing element between the branches 3a and 3b of the base. The front of the plate 25 is designed to be able to rest on the end of the branch 33.

The rocker 30 also has an approximately vertical arm formed by two lateral pads which pass on each side of the piston 16, and which each carry on a shoulder 37 which the piston presents under the shoulder 23 of the wings. Only the shoe 35 is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Advantageously, a spring 38 recalls the plate 25 in a rest position which places its front end above the wing 33 of the rocker. When the shoe is engaged, the plate is lowered until it comes into contact with the branch 33. An automatic adaptation of the fastening element to the thickness of the shoe sole is thus achieved.

The rocker has dimensions such that a vertical downward force exerted on its branch 33 is transmitted to the piston 16 in the form of a rearward stress, that is to say in the same direction as the stresses from the wings. The rearward movement of the piston 17 is accompanied by a rotation of the rocker 30 about the axis 32. The stress transmitted by the rocker to the piston 17 decreases the force as much as one of the wings must itself even exercise on the piston to move it enough back so that the opening of the wing allows the release of the wing.

This mechanism compensates for the increase in friction between the shoe sole and the support plate 26 in the event of a front fall.

A connecting rod 39 also connects the rocker, in front of the axis 32, to the upper part of the body. In the event of a fall backwards, the body 2 rises by deformation of the zone 9. This movement is transmitted to the rocker by the link 39. This causes a stress on the piston which goes in the same direction as the previous stress. . This compensates for the increase in friction between the shoe and the sole clamp. If the stress on the sole is strong enough, the sole clamp lets the shoe sole escape upwards.

Naturally, other compensation or adaptation mechanisms to the thickness of the sole may be suitable.

In addition, the construction of the fixing element in itself is not limiting. It shows a mode of construction of the fastening element with which the present invention is compatible. Other constructions are suitable, in particular other simplified constructions.

The assembly shown in FIG. 1 also has a rear retaining element 40. This element is of a known type. It has in particular a movable jaw 41 carried by a body 42. In a manner also known, the body 42 is movable along a slide 43.

The fastening assembly also has a support plate 44 for the rear of the shoe sole which is located in front of the slide 43.

The device according to the invention has a feeler capable of picking up stresses on the shoe.

It also has a connection between the probe and the front fixing element. This connection is intended to increase the restoring force that the spring opposes to the opening of a wing with the intensity of the stress picked up by the probe.

In the illustrated embodiment, the probe is the support plate 44 located at the front of the slide 43. The connection between the probe and the front element comprises a plate 46, the front end of which is connected to the front fixing element, and the rear end of which is movable. The rear end has a pallet 45 on which the shoe rests which arrives at the support plate 44 in the presence of the shoe. This is visible in Figure 5. Optionally, as shown, the plate 46 is in two parts assembled together, to be able to adapt the length of the plate to the spacing of the front and rear retaining elements.

In addition, the slide is connected to the ski by a base plate 48 to which it is articulated around a transverse axis 49. The transverse axis is materialized by the cooperation of the rear end of the slide with the rear edge of the base plate. A hinge pin formed by a pin or any other suitable means may also be suitable. Preferably, the connection between the slide and the base is provided to allow the front end of the slide to lower vertically, and to impede the roll movements between the slide and the base, so as to allow vertical suspension of the shoe while preserving good transmission of lateral forces, in particular when taking edges.

A block of damping material 50 located between the slide and the base plate resiliently brings the slide 43 upwards, against a stop 51 for example secured to the base plate. The block 50 can be replaced by any suitable means, for example a spring.

The slide can thus oscillate vertically downwards from the position defined by the stop 51, against the return force of the block 50. In particular, when the plate 46 is in the position of FIG. 6, the slide can oscillate towards the bottom under the impulse of the solicitations of the shoe. The support plate 44 then forms a feeler which picks up the vertical stresses on the shoe, or more precisely the variations in the support force exerted by the rear end of the shoe sole.

Figure 6 best illustrates the connection between the plate 46 and the slide 43. Under the support plate 44 is a rocker 52 articulated around a transverse axis 53 carried by the base 48. The rocker has a horizontal branch 55 engaged under the slide, and it further has a substantially vertical bearing face 56 against which comes a complementary face 57 located at the rear end of the plate, when the plate is in the low position.

In this way, the downward oscillation of the slide causes the rocker to rotate and the forward movement of the plate 46, by pressing the rocker 52 on the rear face 57 of the plate.

The plate 46 is preferably connected at the front by a hinge, and at its rear end, it is urged upwards by a device forming a ski brake 58. In particular, this device comprises two articulated arms 59 recalled by a spring 60.

The front fastening element is itself mounted on a base plate 62 integrally connected to the ski. The base plate extends between the base and the ski. It is provided with a longitudinal housing inside which a slide 63 is guided. The slide opens out at the rear of the base plate and it is connected to the front of the plate 46 by articulation produced for example by the cooperation of complementary forms.

The connection is also ensured by a flexible tongue 64, each end of which is secured to the base plate and to the plate, respectively. Any other means of connection may also be suitable.

At the front, the slide is in abutment against the lower end of a lever 66. This part enters the body 3 by a vertical recess 67 located on the front, its central part is crossed by the screw 20 and takes support under the screw head. Its upper end rests on the body beyond the screw. Under the action of the slide 63, the lever 66 acts on the screw head like a lever, resting on the body 2. At rest, the screw head presses the lever 66 against the wall 68 of the recess 67.

A more pronounced support of the skier on the rear, for example during the driving phase, at the end of a turn, causes the feeler 44 to lower, the slide 43 to oscillate downwards, against the elastic restoring force of the block 50. The connecting plate 46 is pushed forward by the rotation of the rocker 52. This movement is transmitted to the lever 66 which forces the screw 20 to move forward. The spring 15 undergoes additional compression which makes the wings 5 and 6 more difficult to open. This operating phase of the device is illustrated in FIG. 9.

As soon as the solicitation of the shoe ceases, the screw 20 and the lever 66 are returned to their initial position, that is to say the position where the lever is in abutment against the wall 68 of the body.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a means which neutralizes the action of the slide on the spring in certain circumstances, in particular in certain cases of fall. In the case of a rear fall, for example, each shoe of the skier exerts an upward force on the jaw of the front retaining element, and a downward force on the support plate which supports the heel of the shoe, that is to say here the support plate 44. But an increase in the hardness of the spring is not desirable in these circumstances.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the neutralization means is shown in the form of a toggle 69, which is integrated in the slide 63. The toggle 69 comprises two levers 70 and 71 connected together by a joint. The joint is located under an element of the body which moves vertically when the body lifts. Advantageously, this element is the centering stud 2a which passes through the base 3 of the retaining element. In the body rest position, the stud 2a maintains the knee switch in the flattened position in a position close to the total extension, without however reaching this extension. In addition, the articulation of the two levers can move longitudinally under the stud with the displacement of the slide 63. Optionally, a wedge or any other suitable means can be provided to prevent the levers of the toggle joint from reaching and exceeding a fully extended position.

Thus, in the position represented in FIG. 3, the toggle joint is capable of transmitting the longitudinal forces coming from the connecting plate 46. It is also capable of imposing on the entire slide the longitudinal movement which is imparted by the connecting plate 46. Given the fact that the toggle is close to the extension, the vertical reaction induced in the pad 20 is relatively weak.

In the event of lifting of the stud 2a, for example following a rear fall urging the body upwards, the kneepad tends to fold back. The lever 66 and the screw 20, if they had previously moved, are returned by the spring 15 to the rest position, that is to say the position where the lever 66 is in abutment against the wall 68. The longitudinal movement of the connecting plate 46 is then absorbed in the folding of the toggle joint, and the vertical forces of the shoe on the plate 44 are taken up by the block 50.

The effect that the displacement of the connecting plate could have caused on the compression of the spring is thus neutralized.

In parallel, the compensation mechanism of the retaining element is activated due to the elevation of the body. The rod 30 translates upward, causing with it the rotation of the rocker 30. By its shoes, the rocker exerts a thrust on the piston 16 which adds to the stresses coming from one or the other of the wings which is requested upon opening. The release of the shoe is thus facilitated.

This operating phase of the retaining element is illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the event that the stress is not sufficient to cause the release of the shoe, the body returns to its initial position when the stress ceases. The rocker 30 pivots towards its initial position, the stud 2a, by lowering, recalls the two levers of the toggle joint substantially in alignment with one another, the toggle joint is again ready to transmit the forces and the longitudinal movements of the connecting plate.

The compensation mechanism for the fastening element is also active in the case of a front fall, that is to say a fall where the front of the shoe exerts a strong pressure on its support plate 25. In this case, in fact, the support plate 25 exerts on the rocker 30 a force which has the same effect on the compensation mechanism as a force due to a rear fall. In particular, the support plate 25 transmits the support force to the rocker 30 which in turn transmits it to the piston 16. The opening of the wings is facilitated in this case.

However, the body of the retaining element does not rise due to the link with play between the rocker 30 and the link 39. The opening of the toggle joint 69 is not modified in this case.

The cases of fall, the compensation mechanisms which have just been described and their mode of operation are not limiting for the invention. It may be that the neutralization of the movement of the connecting plate also occurs in forward fall. It would suffice to replace the link with play between the rocker 30 and the link 39 by a link without play. It could also be that there is no compensation means, or that an active compensation mechanism in in the case of a fall forward or a fall backwards, or any other appropriate compensation mechanism.

In addition, it should be noted that the folding amplitude of the toggle joint 69 can be modified by varying the position of the stud relative to the hinge zone 9 of the body, or else the length of the links. In this regard, the stud as an element which controls the means for neutralizing the toggle joint is not limiting, and any other appropriate element could provide this control function, for example one of the branches of the rocker 30, or still the support plate 25 or an element controlled by this support plate.

One could also replace the knee brace by a flexible zone of a blade whose buckling is controlled under the effect of the forces transmitted by the plate 46, depending on the vertical position of an element of the body located in the belly zone of blade deformation.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. This figure shows a front retaining element 81, of the same type as the previous element, to which a connection plate 83 is connected. The rest of the fixing assembly is identical to what has been previously described.

The front fixing element 81 is essentially identical to the element previously described. The difference lies in the means which connect the slide 86 and the front retaining element. The function of these means is here to slow down, or even block, the movement of the slide when its effect is not desired.

To illustrate this, the retaining element shown has a centering stud 87 provided with an opening 88 which the slide 86 passes right through. Optionally, as shown in the figure, in this area, and towards the front, the slide has a reduced thickness.

The centering stud has in its lower part a shoe 89 which delimits the lower part of the opening 88.

When the body is in the normal position, that is to say the position in FIG. 10, there is a space between the shoe 89 and the lower surface of the slide 86.

In the case of a rear fall, for example, the stud 87 rises, which brings the shoe into contact with the slide. The movement of the slide is thus braked. Braking can be more or less accentuated depending on the nature of the pad surfaces and the slide in contact. One can also perform a unidirectional braking with reliefs in asymmetrical teeth, that is to say a braking which blocks the slide in the direction of a movement forward, but allows a movement of return backwards.

Braking can also be achieved progressively by inserting a block of deformable material, for example an elastomer block, between the pad and the slide.

Other variants or different construction methods may also be suitable.

As in the previous case, the effect of the displacement of the connecting plate on the spring is neutralized in certain circumstances, for example in the case of a fall backwards. As in the previously described case, the same result can be achieved in the case of a forward fall, or any other type of fall. In addition, the braking action of the slide can be coupled to a compensation effect, for example according to one of the modes described above.

FIG. 11 illustrates another variant implementation of the invention. According to this variant, the support plate 90 on which the front of the shoe rests, or one end thereof, is held suspended by a spring 91 or any other suitable means, for example an elastomer block. Under the hanging end of the support plate is a lock 92 slidably mounted in a vertical direction. The lock has a central housing which is traversed by the slide 93. This housing is delimited downwards by the upper surface of a shoe 95 for braking the slide. A spring 96 or any other suitable means resiliently recalls the latch upwards. The set has dimensions and characteristics such that in the absence of a stress raised downwards exerted by the shoe on its support plate, the latch 92 is recalled upwards by the spring 96. It slows any movement of the slide forward. Optionally, the surfaces of the shoe and of the slide in contact can be coated with complementary toothing or any suitable means for achieving unidirectional braking, which blocks the movement of the slide forwards while allowing it to return to the rear.

In the event of high stresses exerted on the support plate, the latter is lowered enough for the shoe 95 to release the slide. Then, the slide can drive the lever 97 forward, under the impulse of a force exerted on the rear support plate and transmitted by the connection plate.

The invention is not limited to the various constructions which have been described, it encompasses the variants, the equivalents, and in general all the constructions which are defined by the appended claims.

In particular, the invention is not limited to the front fastening element which has been described. It applies to any other known construction of a front retaining element.

The invention is also not limited to the case where the probe is associated with the rear fixing element. The probe that causes the longitudinal displacement of the slide could be located in another area of the shoe.

The movement of the probe is not necessarily vertical. The feeler could also pick up the rolling stresses of the front or rear end of the shoe.

Claims (10)

Element for retaining a shoe on a gliding board, in particular an alpine ski, comprising a retaining jaw (4) movable between a position for retaining the shoe and a position for releasing the shoe, a body (2, 82 ) carrying the jaw and intended to be assembled to the ski via a base, a jaw return mechanism comprising a return spring (15) acting on a locking member (16) to oppose to the jaw a elastic resistance force at its distance from its retaining position, a feeler (45) intended to support at least locally the sole of the shoe, the feeler being designed to be movable in a determined direction, a connection (46, 63, 66, 69, 83, 86, 93, 95, 97) between the feeler and the return mechanism, characterized in that the connection comprises a movable lever (66, 97) intended to increase the compression of the spring with the movement of the feeler, and a means of neutr alisation (69, 89 92), to prevent movement of the lever (66). Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeler (45) is provided to support the rear end of the shoe. Element according to Claim 1, in which the fixing element has an adjusting screw (20) making it possible to adjust the pre-stress of the return spring (15), characterized in that the connection comprises an element (66) acting as a lever on the screw to translate it in the direction of additional compression of the spring (15), and a slide (63) movable located under the retaining element, to drive the lever. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises a toggle (69) integrated in the length of the slide (63), comprising two levers connected by a hinge, and a movable control means (2a) for control the altitude of the articulation of the two levers. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises a flexible blade integrated in the length of the slide, the buckling of which is controlled by a mobile control means. Element according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the element comprises a body (2) movable vertically relative to a base, characterized in that the control means is a stud (2a) located at the bottom of the body which passes through the base. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises a shoe (89, 95) provided for braking or blocking the slide (86, 93). Element according to Claim 7, in which the element comprises a body (2) movable vertically with respect to a base, characterized in that the shoe (89) is the lower part of a stud (87) connected integrally to the body. Element according to claim 7, in which the retaining element has a support plate (91) movable vertically, at least in part, characterized in that the shoe (93) is carried by a latch (92) situated under the part mobile of the support plate, the latch (92) being vertically movable and resiliently biased upwards. Shoe retention assembly on a ski, characterized by the fact that it comprises a retention element according to any one of the preceding claims.

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