EP0785002B1 - Binding element assembly for boots on skis - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamp consists of a base surmounted by a body (2) with lateral retaining jaws (5, 6) and a main spring (15), and an active asymmetry member (51) which provides for an asymmetrical movement of the jaws and is accessible from outside the clamp after assembly. It is also movable and can be reversed. The two jaws are able to move against the effort of the main spring, and the asymmetry member comprises at least one elastic block which opposes the movement of a jaw, complementing the action of the main spring. It can be in the form of two blocks (51, 52) of different shapes and strengths, made e.g. from a synthetic rubber of the butadiene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene group. In addition, the clamp's supporting plate has an upper surface covering of an anti-friction material, e.g. PTFE.

Description

The invention relates to a shoe retention element on a ski.

More specifically, the invention relates to a front retaining element which is designed to releasably retain the front of a shoe. In known manner, a such element has a jaw which is movable against the restoring force that it opposes an elastic return means, for example a spring.

For example, patent applications FR 2 540 735, FR 2 625 911, EP 320 854 and EP 692,288 describe various constructions of this type.

Among the known retaining elements, the invention relates to those whose trigger is asymmetrical, i.e. they release the shoe more easily on one side than on the other. We know that the leg of a skier is able to endure higher twists for rotation from the forefoot to the outside only for a rotation towards the other foot. It therefore appeared interesting to make retaining elements which take this asymmetry into account.

Patent applications published under the numbers FR 1 503 849, or DE 2 919 266 describe such elements which release the shoe in a way asymmetric.

However, these constructions have the disadvantage of being complicated to achieve. Indeed, the trigger asymmetry results from a design asymmetrical of the whole element or at least of master pieces of this element. As a result, manufacturing is complicated, since it practically amounts to separate the right and left elements separately. It exists also a significant risk of assembling incompatible parts, i.e. provided for different elements.

An object of the invention is to propose a trigger retaining element asymmetrical which is simpler to realize, including the number of specific pieces for a right element or a left element is very reduced, and whose mode assembly reduces or even cancels the risk of assembling incompatible parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will emerge during the description who will follow.

The retaining element according to the invention comprises a base, supporting a body, a jaw carried by the body comprising two lateral retaining wings, the jaw being movable at least laterally with respect to the body on one side and the other from a central rest position, against the return force of a spring main and an active dissymmetry member intended to produce a displacement asymmetrical wings of the jaw according to their direction of movement. The elements that are the base, the jaw and the main spring are symmetrical with respect to in the median plane of the retaining element, and the active asymmetry member is accessible from outside the retaining element and removable once the retaining element retainer assembled.

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

Figure 1 is a top view of a front retainer according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the element in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view in partial section of the element of Figure 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view in partial section of the element in FIG. 1.

Figure 5 is a top view of a retaining element according to another mode of implementing the invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the retainer of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a top view in partial section of the retaining element in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a side view in partial section of the retaining element Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the elastic member of Figure 5 in returned position.

Figure 10 is a top view of a retaining element according to another mode of implementing the invention.

Figure 11 is a top view in partial section of the element of the figure 10.

Figure 12 is a top view in section through a plane located at one level inferior.

Figure 13 is a side view in section through a vertical and longitudinal plane median of the element in figure 10.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the element in FIG. 10.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the asymmetry member.

FIG. 1 represents a retaining element 1. This element comprises a body 2 mounted on a base.

The front fixing element 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 is known for the essential according to the French patent application published under the number FR 2 640 516.

It includes a body 2 connected to a base 3 which is designed to be joined together to the ski by any appropriate means and for example by screw. 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 by a link deformable, located in zone 9 at the junction between the body and the base. The body and the base are continuously connected by this deformable zone and form a monobloc element.

The body 2 carries a jaw 4 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 retaining axes 7 and 8 are located approximately in the middle of the thickness of the wings. Between each outer edge 5b, 6b of a wing 5, 6 and the side wall of the body, there is a sufficient space to allow the wing to rotate. 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 main spring 15.

The spring 15 is housed in the body. It activates 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 is pressed against the bottom of the piston, located on the front side of the fixing element. A screw 20 whose head is retained at the front of the body, moreover passes through the piston and the spring, and has a nut 21 at the rear which retains the rear end of the spring. A rotation of the screw drives the nut 21 in translation, which allows 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 backwards, bearing against a shoulder 23 located in the upper rear part of the piston 16.

Element 1 also has a compensation mechanism which lightens 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 arm 33 which is accessible on the rear of the fixing element between the branches 3a and 3b of the base. The arm 33 offers rearward support for a control pedal. This pedal will be described in more detail later.

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

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the compensation also has a connecting rod 36 which connects the rocker 30 to the rear part of the body 2. The articulation of the rod 36 to the rocker 30 is located at front of the axis 32. The rod transmits to the rocker 30, and therefore to the piston 16, the body elevation movements that occur especially during a vertical loading of the shoe in the jaw.

Towards the rear, the retaining element has a support plate provided for support the front part of the shoe sole. The backing plate includes a support plate 41 for the sole. The upper surface of the plate support 41 is advantageously coated with pellets of anti-friction material, by example of polytetrafluoroethylene.

The support plate rests on an axis 42 carried by an extension towards the rear of the base 3. The axis 42 is located in the median vertical plane of the element retaining, it is oriented in a longitudinal direction, and its front part is guided in the vertical opening of a stud 43. The support plate 41 can oscillate vertically with axis 42. It can also tilt laterally around this axis 42 on one side or the other with respect to a horizontal position of reference.

On each side of the axis 42, the support plate rests against the branches 46 and 47 of a loop 48 made of spring wire. The front ends of branches are provided to rest on the arm 33 of the rocker 30.

A spring 49 resiliently recalls the support plate 41 upwards, the axis 42 to which the plate is attached, and the branches of the loop 48. The the front ends of the branches are then raised a few millimeters in relation to the rocker arm 33.

When the shoe is engaged, the plate 41 lowers until the ends of the branches 46 and 47 come to bear against the arm 33. From there, each of the branches 46, 47 activates the element compensation mechanism retaining, in response to the tilting of the plate around its axis 42, under the effect of the lateral tilting demands of the shoe.

This construction is not limiting for the invention, and other constructions may be suitable.

Note that the different parts that have been described so far are symmetrical, i.e. they are identical for a retaining element right and a left retainer of a pair of trigger elements asymmetric. In particular, the piston 16 and the wings 5 and 6 are symmetrical by relation to the median longitudinal vertical plane defined by the ski.

In accordance with the invention, the asymmetry is here produced by organs of auxiliary elastic return which are located on the outside of the retaining element. That is to say that these auxiliary organs are visible from the outside, and that, from preferably they are assembled to the rest of the retainer at the end of manufacturing process.

Thus, the manufacture of the retaining element is not complicated because of the symmetry. Indeed, the right and left retaining elements which are distinct in themselves, are assembled with identical parts in a fashion identical assembly. It is only at the end of assembly that the elements are polarized, that is, they are made asymmetric as elements right or left elements.

Preferably, the asymmetry members are visible from the outside. This makes it easy to identify in which direction the asymmetry operates, and therefore to identify a retaining element as a right or left element. It is enough to have bodies with different aspects, or to provide them with a particular marking. Of plus, the asymmetric organs themselves identify the polarization of the element at the same time that they polarize the retaining element.

According to the invention, the asymmetry members are accessible from the outside and removable. This allows for example the retailer or the informed user to itself to polarize retaining elements, or to exchange the polarization right and left of the skis without having to dismantle the retaining elements. It is enough in this case to exchange only the asymmetry organs.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 4, the organs of asymmetry are two blocks of elastically deformable material 51 and 52. These blocks are placed in the space between the outer edge 5b, 6b of each wing 5, 6 and the side walls 53 and 54 of the body 2. Preferably, they are attached to the body and to the wing by any suitable means, for example projecting pawns which penetrate in a cavity. Other means may be suitable, for example a rod substantially vertical through each block whose ends would be forcibly imprisoned in housings provided in the body.

The blocks are made of an elastically deformable material, by example a synthetic rubber, and, given their position, they participate actively recalling the wings to their original position. That is to say, the rotational movement of a wing simultaneously causes a translation of the piston 16 and a compression of the deformable block associated with the wing.

According to an important feature of the invention, the two blocks 51 and 52 have overall a different hardness, that is to say that for the elastic return of wings, they each add a different restoring force to the restoring force spring town 15.

Not only do the blocks have a different hardness, but they also have a different appearance, for example a different color, marking, or any other appropriate means. This different aspect is useful for differentiating blocks when their assembly with the rest of the retaining element, and possibly for differentiate between right and left skis during each boot taking into account the fact that they are visible from the outside.

One solution is for example to equip the left retaining element of a pair with a left block of red color, a right block of color by example white or the same color as the body, the right element would be equipped a left block of the same color as the previous right block, and a block left green. So, when skiing, there are two controls the correct position of the skis, one by the red and green colors of the outer blocks which is similar to the coding used in navigation or aviation, the other by the identical color of the internal blocks.

The shape of the blocks is not limiting. For example, as can be seen in Figure 3, each block such as block 52 has two bearing faces 52a and 52b whose planes form between them a dihedral of acute angle. Each of the faces 52a and 52b carries a 52th assembly pin to the walls of the body and the wing. The part center of a block is hollowed out. Figure 3 shows the outer wall 52c shaped like a bellows, with a central lip 52d for centering. other shapes may also be suitable, for example a cube shape or other pierced with vertical ducts. The blocks 51 and 52 are provided for working in compression, and special means can be provided to prevent their creep, by example a partial embedding in the body and or the wing.

The material of the blocks is of any suitable type. This material is chosen for its elastic properties. It is for example a thermoplastic rubber synthetic from the BEBS family (butadiene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) with a Shore hardness hardness of between 40 and 60 Shore-A.

The difference in stiffness of the blocks can be produced by a different shape, or by a material of a different nature, in particular a chemical composition or a different Shore hardness.

The restoring force to which each of the wings is subjected presents a common component induced by the spring 15, and an individual component induced by block 51, 52 associated with the wing. As the blocks are stiff different, it is this last component that creates the asymmetry of the element of detention. The hardness of the retainer which is usually displayed on a scale of 3 to 10 takes into account the stiffness of blocks 51 and 52. Preferably, it is determined based on the stiffness of the steepest block.

Because the blocks are stressed in compression, they also provide sealing function between the body and the wing.

In view of what has just been described, it is understood that the only organs asymmetrical present in a pair of retaining elements are blocks 51 and 52. There are several sets of blocks 51 and 52 of different stiffness provided for be assembled with right and left elements, and to identify by the same occasion nature, that is to say the orientation of the asymmetry of these blocks. The assembly of this asymmetrical stiffness retaining element is therefore simplified since the right and left retainers are built identically, and it’s only at the end of the assembly process, that asymmetry is created with the assembly of blocks 51 and 52. With the possibility to dismantle and reassemble blocks, the asymmetry can be modified, i.e. interchanged between two elements of a pair. A retailer may also have stock of elements, spare retainer not fitted with blocks, and assemble itself the asymmetry blocks at the last moment depending on the straight nature or left of an item to exchange.

Figures 5 to 9 show another embodiment of the invention.

According to this embodiment, the retaining element comprises a body 55 mounted on a base 56, and a jaw 57 carried by the body. Jaw is here in one piece, it comprises two wings 58 and 59 connected by a central part. The jaw also includes a sole clamp 57a for vertical retention of the shoe.

The body has forwardly a housing 60 for a main spring 61. The housing is closed by a threaded plug 62 screwed into the body. Backwards, the housing 60 opens into a cavity delimited by a wall substantially vertical 64.

The jaw has on the front an extension 65 which is engaged in this cavity. The extension is designed to bear against the front of the wall 64. It is guided in the cavity so as to be able to tilt around one or the other of two substantially vertical support lines 66, 67 located on the face front of the wall 64.

The extension is held in abutment against the wall 64 by a piston 69 which is guided in the housing 60, and pushed against the front face of the leg by the spring 61. The front face of the extension 65 preferably has a succession of facets forming between them edges. These facets and edges determine the movement of the piston 69 and therefore the compression of the spring 61 as a function of the rotation of the jaw 57 around one or the other of the support lines 66 and 67. It note that the spring, the piston, and the jaw, including the support facets, are symmetrical with respect to the vertical and longitudinal median plane defined by the ski.

The asymmetry is here created by an elastically deformable member 70 in shape deck comprising two side blocks 71 and 72, joined by a tongue of link 73.

The two blocks 72 and 73 generally have a shape parallelepiped, they are designed to be placed between two shoulders lateral 74 and 75 located in the rear part of the body, and the jaw. Blocks have a different elasticity. For example, as shown, the central part of the two blocks is hollowed out, and the recess in block 72 is overall less bulky than that of block 71. Naturally, any other suitable form is suitable. Since the member 70 is in one piece, the asymmetry is preferably induced by shapes or recesses of different geometry. We could also play on the chemical composition of the blocks during their manufacture by techniques of the bi-material injection type, or different temperatures depending on the parts of the manufacturing mold.

FIG. 9 shows hooking pins 77 and 78 which are designed to be engaged in holes in the jaw and body. Any other means for attaching or embedding blocks in the body and the jaw is suitable also.

Preferably, the organ has an identification means for viewing in what sense the asymmetry operates.

This means is illustrated in FIG. 1 in the form of an arrow 80 produced by example in relief on the upper surface of the link 73. The arrow 80 is here oriented from the elastically least stiff block to the steepest. Any other means suitable is also suitable.

As in the previous case, the only element of asymmetry of the element of retainer is member 70. To polarize a retainer as a straight member or left, just have two sets of organs 70, with blocks 71 and 72 reverse stiffness. The assembly of this asymmetrical retaining element is simplified since the right and left retainers are built identically, and it’s only at the end of the assembly process, that asymmetry is created with the assembly of organ 70.

With the possibility of dismantling and reassembling the member 70, the asymmetry can be modified, that is to say interchanged between two elements of a pair. A retailer may also have spare retainers not in stock with blocks, and assemble the asymmetry blocks himself at the last moment according to the right or left nature of an item to be exchanged.

Figures 10 and following illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

The retaining element concerned has a base 81 surmounted by a body 82 in the form of a hood raised relative to the base, and connected to the base in its front part. The retaining jaw includes two wings restraint 83 and 84 articulated to a cross member 85 around two axes substantially 87 and 88 verticals. The axes 87 and 88 are themselves carried by two arms 89, 90 articulated to the body and to the base around substantially vertical axes 91, 92. Beyond axes 87 and 88, the wings have extensions 83a and 84a

The arms and the crosspiece form a deformable structure on both sides from a centered position. A spring 93 bearing against a ramp 94 located on the edge of the crosspiece 85 opposes the deformation of the structure, and reminds it of elastic in its centered position.

The wings are held substantially in the extension of the arms by locking means as long as the deformation of the structure does not not exceed a specified amplitude. For a deformation exceeding this amplitude, a cleat, or any other appropriate means causes the unlocking of the locking means, thus allowing the opening of the wings.

Referring to the figures, the locking means are formed by two levers 95 and 96 articulated together like a toggle. Levers connect the wing extensions 83a and 84a. When the levers are in the extension from each other, the knee brace they form is in a stable position, and its length is provided to ensure the orientation of the wings in the extension of the arm, and prevent their rotation around the axes 87, 88.

As shown in Figure 13, the levers are located below the level of the spring 93 and ramp 94. This is not, however, limiting.

Levers 95 and 96 present in the area of their connection with the wings two returns 97 and 98 oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of each of the levers.

A stopper 99 is located between the two returns. The cleat is designed to hold either of the two returns beyond the determined amplitude of deformation of the structure and then cause the opening of the toggle. Referring to the FIG. 12, the cleat 99 is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical and longitudinal plane median, the trace of which is shown diagrammatically at 100 in FIG. 12. Thus, the opening of the toggle intervenes at different amplitudes of deformation, depending on whether the structure deforms to the right or the left of the median vertical plane.

The stopper 99 is for example hollowed out on one side, and on this side, the opening of the knee switch comes later.

The stopper 99 is assembled on a support 101 which is embedded in the base 81 in a housing provided for this purpose on its underside. At this level, the base has an opening that the cleat crosses.

Advantageously, the cleat, its support, the support housing are symmetrical with respect to a vertical and transverse plane, so that the support and its cleat can be assembled in two different positions, which correspond to reverse polarizations of the retainer.

We understand that the support with its cleat are assembled to the rest of the retaining element at the end of the element assembly process.

In addition, the support and its cleat are reversible, that is to say that they can be assembled in two different positions corresponding to a polarization different from the retainer. Asymmetrical organs are reduced to minimum, and the manufacture of asymmetric retaining elements is thus facilitated.

Advantageously, the support is accessible from below the base, so that once the retaining element is assembled on a ski, it is no longer accessible.

We can also provide that the support is removable to change the polarization of a retainer, or allow for example a retailer to determine the polarization mode of an element itself.

The support is associated with a visualization means which makes it possible to identify the direction of polarization of the element. According to the figures, this means is formed by at minus one of the lateral ends of the support which is visible on the side of the body. This end is for example colored according to a code determined in advance. All another means is suitable.

Security can also be provided to prevent the assembly of the ski retaining element, or its operation in the absence of a support.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the description of the various embodiments which has just been made, it also encompasses other variants and equivalents. In particular, the retaining jaw could have another structure as that described, for example for the first mode of implementation described work, instead of having two independent wings articulated on the body, the jaw could include two wings hinged together about an axis substantially vertical, the assembly being pressed by the spring against the body as this is described in the German patent application published under the number DE 37 42 483. Also, there could be an intermediate connecting plate located between the jaw and the body, as described for example in the international patent application published under number WO 92/17250.

Claims (9)

1. Element for retaining a boot on a gliding board, in particular a ski, having a base (3, 56, 81) overlaid by a body (2, 55, 82), a jaw moveable with respect to the base having two lateral retaining wings (5, 6, 58, 59, 83, 84) moveable at least along a lateral direction on both sides of a centered resting position against the return force of a main spring (15, 61, 93), an asymmetry active member (51, 52, 70, 99) provided to produce an asymmetrical movement of the wings along their direction of displacement,
      characterized in that the elements constituting the base, the jaw and the main spring are symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the retaining element and in that the active asymmetrical member (51, 52, 70, 99) is accessible from the exterior of the retaining element and removable once the retaining element is assembled.
2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the asymmetry active member (99) is reversible.
3. Element according to claim 1, where the wings (5, 6, 58, 59) of the jaw are moveable against the return force of a main spring (15, 61), characterized in that the asymmetry member (51, 52, 70) is at least one deformable elastic block that opposes an elastic resistance to the displacement of at least one wing, in addition to the return force opposed by the main spring (15, 61).
4. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the asymmetry member includes two blocks (51, 52, 71, 72) located respectively between a wing (5, 6, 58, 59) and the body (2, 55).
5. Element according to claim 4, characterized in that the two blocks have a different elastic stiffness.
6. Element according to claim 5, characterized in that the blocks (51, 52, 71, 72) have a different aspect.
7. Element according to claim 5, characterized in that the blocks (71, 72) are joined by a connecting tongue (73).
8. Element according to claim 1, where the jaw has two wings (83, 84) borne by arms (89, 90) that are movable against the return force of a spring (93), a locking means (95, 96) provided to maintain the wings substantially in the extension of the arms, and an unlocking means (97,98,99) provided to unlock the locking means, characterized in that the asymmetry member is an asymmetrical catch (99) of the unlocking means.
9. Element according to claim 8, characterized in that the catch (99) is integral with a support (101) that is accessible from beneath the base (81).

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