EP0825892B1 - Device for holding a boot on a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/00751 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 21, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 21, 1997 PCT Filed May 20, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/36407 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 21, 1996A retention device for a boot for use on glide boards adapted to be used for snowboarding. At least one attaching device of the retention device is offset laterally with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the boot and is positioned in the vicinity of only one side of the boot, either the lateral side or the medial side of the boot.

Description

The invention relates to the field of gliding boards intended for snowboarding and relates more particularly to a device for retention of a shoe relative to the gliding board, as well as a shoe and a harness.

The practice of snowboarding is traditionally done with a board slides, called "board", that a user drives by pulses it generates with body and limb movements. These pulses are transmitted to the board by the lower limbs through shoes and means of retention of shoes with respect to the board, called "restraint means". he it follows that the driving of the board is partly at least conditioned by the characteristics of footwear and restraint, regardless of any other parameter.

The user must be able to drive the board on the snow following the path he wants, and he must also be able to lift the board off the highest ground possible to perform artistic figures or pass obstacles.

The prior art has proposed at least two large families of shoes and means for retaining shoes in relation to a board.

A first family is that of flexible shoes, or "boots", maintained to the board by cleat and strap systems, an example of which is given by document DE 91 13 766. The flexibility of the boots and straps facilitates user's leg movements.

On the other hand, the fitting operation is not of great convenience; in especially for tightening and adjusting the straps which consume a lot of time.

In addition, these systems are bulky and do not facilitate storage or transport of boards.

The second family is that of the more rigid shoes, maintained at the board by one or more bindings which generally cooperate with the heel and the tip of the base of the shoe shell, an example of which is given by the document EP (A1) 525 580. The rigidity of the shoe / binding assembly facilitates the board handling precision. However, the holding is too rigid and does not allow no possibility of laxity of the shoe compared to the board.

Document FR 2 673 546 provides for a solution with a support of shoe mounted pivoting on a base around an axis oriented along a longitudinal direction of the shoe. However, the principle is also based on a concept of means of retaining a shoe with a rigid shell. The shoe is mounted on the support by means of pivoting brackets which hold the point and the heel of the shoe. The shoeing operation remains quite delicate and inconvenient. It is carried out by engaging the heel in one of the pivoting stirrups and by manually operating a lever secured to the second stirrup to close the fixation while keeping the sole of the shoe flat on the support plate. In addition, such a fastening means is only suitable for retaining a surf boot with rigid shell and is not suitable for retaining flexible rod mud or semi-flexible, more appreciated by today's practitioners.

Document WO 95/09035 proposes a system for fixing a boot of the type flexible which overcomes the straps, buckles and stirrups of traditional bindings. The system is based on a mechanism of jaws connected to a base, and which allows the engagement of an anchoring means integral with a shoe.

One of the disadvantages is that the shoe is made "blind"; that is to say that the user does not have the precise vision of the anchoring elements and the jaws in opposite when fitting and must therefore proceed with the correct positioning of the shoe and anchoring thereof by trial and error. Under certain conditions, as in deep snow, it becomes very difficult if not impossible to board fitting.

Another drawback is the need to connect the central jaw to the control mechanism by a relatively long transverse rod which undergoes significant bending and torsional stresses which could damage the locking device.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the disadvantages of the systems fixing the prior art. In particular, one of the goals is to propose a device restraint that facilitates the fitting operation by minimizing the number anchor points and locating them so that they remain visible, to the user.

Another aim is also to propose a construction of the retaining device simpler and lighter than those known from the prior art.

Another object is to limit the size of the retaining device.

Another aim is to propose a device which resists the constraints important without risk of damage.

Another aim is to propose a construction which makes it possible to obtain, if necessary, flexibility and lateral laxity of the shoe.

For this, the invention provides an assembly comprising a shoe and a restraint device as characterized in claim 1.

Thus, the fitting operation is simplified by a lateral grip of a single side of the shoe on the board. Convenience also involves allowing the user to have a direct vision on the connection means which is thus offset on one side of the sole of the shoe. User can control visually that the boot is correctly carried out.

The invention thus provides a guarantee of higher security compared to existing systems and especially in relation to the document solution WO 95/09035 where the boot is made "blind".

According to a characteristic of the invention, the connecting means is a pin allowing a relative tilting movement of the shoe relative to the gliding board. This arrangement allows the shoe, and therefore the foot, to move either in a direction of separation or in a direction of approximation of the upper side of the board, when the shoe rocks around the pin. The user can move his foot away from the board and then bring it back quickly, giving a stronger boost thanks to a shock effect. he it follows that the board deforms in bending to store an energy which is more important than in the case of conventional devices. The advantage is that the user jumps higher when this energy is restored by the board which returns to its natural form.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the journal comprises an axis of rotation contained in the plane substantially parallel to the wear surface forming with the median longitudinal plane an angle between -45 and +45 degrees.

This natural design gives the shoe, and therefore the foot, a degree of freedom in rotation which facilitates the movements of the lower limbs of the user, and allows him to perform gestures with more amplitude without altering the traditional functions of transmission-related restraints of pulses or upon receipt of sensory information.

An advantage is that the rotational movements of the foot allow the user significantly improve their performance without additional fatigue, especially when doing acrobatics.

In addition, it is expected that the retaining device according to the invention comprises at least one elastic return means which opposes the tilting movement of the boot relative to the sliding board, so as to bring the sole closer to the gliding board. The means of recall elastic can accumulate energy which it transmits to the shoe to improve the shock effect. The elastic return means reduces user fatigue by favoring the recovery of support and contact of the shoe on the board. It allows also a backlash when putting on.

The invention also relates to a shoe as defined in the claim 13, and to a harness as defined in claim 14.

Particular embodiments are given in the claims dependent 2 to 12 and 15.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une planche de glisse sur laquelle deux chaussures sont retenues par des dispositifs selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la planche de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est un exemple de chaussure adaptée au dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 1, montrant le dispositif de retenue et la chaussure en appui sur la planche,
• la figure 5 est similaire à la figure 4 dans le cas où la chaussure a tourné selon un axe de rotation du dispositif de retenue,
• la figure 6 est une coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 4,
• la figure 7 montre selon une variante une partie du dispositif sous forme d'un élément de fixation "à coque",
• la figure 8 montre en perspective l'ensemble solidaire formé par une boue de surf et un élément de fixation "à coque" selon la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe similaire à celle de la figure 4 dans le cadre de la variante des figures 7 et 8,
• la figure 10 montre en vue de face le dispositif avec chaussure adaptée selon une variante de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue de dessus d'un détail de la figure 10 dans une première configuration d'engagement,
• la figure 12 est une vue de dessus similaire à la figure 11 dans une seconde configuration de désengagement,
• la figure 13 est une coupe selon XIII-XIII de la vue de la figure 11,
• la figure 14 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 4 selon une autre variante de l'invention,
• la figure 15 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5 selon la variante de la figure 14,
• la figure 16 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 15 selon une variante,
• la figure 17 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 10 selon une autre variante.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which will follow, 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 top view of a sliding board on which two shoes are retained by devices according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the board of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is an example of a shoe adapted to the device according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a section on IV-IV of FIG. 1, showing the retainer and the shoe resting on the board,
• FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 in the case where the boot has turned along an axis of rotation of the retaining device,
• FIG. 6 is a section on VI-VI of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 7 shows, according to a variant, part of the device in the form of a "shell" fixing element,
• FIG. 8 shows in perspective the integral assembly formed by a surf mud and a "shell" fixing element according to FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 in the context of the variant of FIGS. 7 and 8,
• FIG. 10 shows in front view the device with shoe adapted according to a variant of the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a top view of a detail of FIG. 10 in a first engagement configuration,
• FIG. 12 is a top view similar to FIG. 11 in a second disengagement configuration,
• FIG. 13 is a section along XIII-XIII of the view in FIG. 11,
• FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 according to another variant of the invention,
• FIG. 15 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 according to the variant of FIG. 14,
• FIG. 16 is a view similar to that of FIG. 15 according to a variant,
• Figure 17 is a view similar to that of Figure 10 according to another variant.

A gliding board 1 intended for the practice of snowboarding, called "board", is shown in top view in Figure 1. A left shoe 2 and a straight shoe 3 are each held relative to the upper face 4 of the board 1 by devices 5 which will be described later.

For convenience, a user of the board is not represented in the figures.

We denote by X-X 'the central longitudinal axis and by Y-Y' the central transverse axis of plate 1. The intersection of the axes X-X 'and Y-Y' is a point O which allows to define an orthonormal coordinate system (O, X, Y) substantially centered on the upper face 4 of board 1. The left shoes 2 and right 3 each have a longitudinal plane P2 and P3 substantially perpendicular to a outsole of the shoe.

The longitudinal plane P2 of the left shoe 2 is median and located substantially equal distance from a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7 of the shoe 2, while the longitudinal plane P3 of the right shoe is median and located substantially equidistant from a medial side 8 and a lateral side 9 of the shoe 3.

The left shoe 2 is here positioned in a half-plane containing the half-axis O-X ', and is oriented along its longitudinal plane P2 by an angle value α2 by relative to the axis Y-Y '.

Similarly, the right shoe 3 is positioned in a half-plane containing the half-axis O-X, and is oriented along its longitudinal plane P3 by an angle value α3 with respect to the axis Y-Y '.

A front end 10 of the left shoe 2 is located, relative to a lateral edge 11 of the board 1, at a distance substantially equal to the distance separating a rear end 12 of the left shoe 2 from a side edge 13 of the board 1 opposite the lateral edge 11.

Similarly, a front end 14 of the right shoe 3 is located, relative to at edge 11, at a distance substantially equal to the distance between one end rear 15 of the right shoe 3 of the edge 13.

Of course, the values of the angles α2 and α3 of orientation of the shoes 2 and 3 may vary from user to user, as can the distances between shoes 2, 3 from center O.

In parallel, the front ends 10, 14 and rear 12, 15 of shoes 2 and 3 could be oriented inversely to the side edges 11 and 13, depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

A side view of board 1 with shoes 2, 3 and the devices retainer 5 is shown in Figure 2, in a case where the board 1 is in contact with a substantially flat soil S. The board forms an arc which raises each shoe 2, 3 with respect to the ground S, in addition to the thickness e of the board, of a height h2 for shoe 2 and height h3 for shoe 3. As we will see later, the arched shape of the board allows it to store energy by deformation under the action of forces coming from the user through shoes 2, 3 and / or restraint devices 5.

These retaining devices 5 can also be positioned either on the side medial, either on the lateral side of a shoe, depending on the sliding style and / or jumps performed by the user.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, use is made of a retaining device 5 located on the medial side 7 for the left shoe 2, and for the right shoe 3; right shoe 3, an exemplary embodiment of which appears in FIG. 3.

This arrangement of the retaining device 5 inwards allows during tilt the shoe, bring your knees inward (or sideways) medial). We thus respond to a natural need linked to the practice of surfing to achieve turns or certain acrobatic changes (performing jumps by example).

However, this provision is not limiting and one can envisage a arrangement of the retaining devices 5 outwards to cause, on the contrary by a knee retraction action bending the board.

The right shoe 3, called "shoe 3" in the following description, comprises a rod 16 and a sole 17. The rear ends 15 and front 14, as well as the lateral side 9 are visible in FIG. 3. An insert 18 represented under the shape of a "U" beam is intended to be secured to the sole 17 in a notch 19, for example by being trapped during the injection of the material constituting the sole 17. Various grooves formed on the surface of the insert 18 in contact with the sole 17, contribute to achieving a solid non-removable connection between the insert 18 and the sole 17. A means 20 for attaching the shoe under the form of a pin 200 of axis 21 is secured to the insert 18, so that the axis 21 is positioned near the sole on the medial side 7 of the shoe 3. The axis 21 is here substantially parallel to the median longitudinal plane P3 of the shoe 3. The journal 200 is therefore integral with the shoe 3 and is integrated into the device for retainer 5 which is shown in section for example in Figure 4; this figure shows the shoe 3 both supported by a wear surface 22 of the sole 17 on the upper face 4 of the board 1, and retained relative to the board 1 by device 5.

The device 5 is in fact constituted by the association of the journal 200 with a locking means 23 serving to support the journal 200.

The locking means or support 23 is fixed to the upper face 4 of the plate 1, and is described in great detail by the documents FR 2 638 373, FR 2 645 758, FR 2 645 759 and FR 2 645 760 of the applicant.

The pin 200 integral with the shoe 3 is housed in a space of the means of locking 23 secured to the board 1 to form together a connecting means; in particular an articulation means allowing the shoe 3 to tilt relative to plate 1. The space is delimited by fixed and movable jaws 24 25 of the locking means 23, which cooperate to maintain the pin 200 with possibility of rotation thereof along the axis 21. The movable jaw 25 allows maintain the pin 200 in the space of the locking means 23. The jaw is movable in translation for the passage from its open position to its position of closing, and vice versa.

In our example, the movable jaw 25 can move against the action of a elastic means, represented in the form of a spring 26, which biases the jaw movable 25 to a position for closing the housing space of the journal 200.

Such a construction has a number of advantages; to know, essentially simplicity and ease of footwear due to the presence a single connecting means between the shoe and the board; said means being formed by the cooperation of the attachment means 20 and the locking means 23. Of in addition, the connecting means is located on one side of the shoe (and on one side only), so that the user can check the correct engagement of the medium attachment 20 in the space of the locking means 23.

In addition, such a construction has a bulk and a lower weight. to fastening systems known from the prior art such as fastening systems to "plates" or "shells".

Finally, the locking of the fastening means 20 in the space of the means of locking 23 is done automatically by simply pressing substantially vertically from the attachment means 20 relative to the locking means.

FIG. 5 shows how the shoe 3 can pivot along the axis 21 relative to to plate 1. The axis 21 is contained in a retaining plane R substantially parallel to the wear surface 22 of the sole 17 of the shoe 3. The plane of retainer R makes with the upper face 4 of the board 1 an angle β which translates the inclination of the sole 17 relative to the board 1 during tilting.

In practice, this possibility of tilting on one side, and in this case precise, pure rotary movement around axis 21 allows the user to amplify the efforts it can transmit to plate 1 by making movements with the body and limbs: the foot can move away from the board 1 and then return to the plate 1.

The alternation of movements amplifies the intensity of the user's impulses thanks to the fact that the axis 21 is offset from the longitudinal plane P3 of the shoe 3. Consequently, at the time of an impulse, the board 1 flattens more than a board using a traditional restraint, thus storing a additional energy which will raise the user higher when that energy will be returned by the board.

Tipping can be controlled by the presence of an elastic return means from shoe 3 to gliding board 1, represented in the form of a block of elastomer 27. The block 27 is opposed by compression to the rotational movement of the shoe 3 in the case where it turns to move away from the upper face 4. In compressing, the block 27 becomes able to restore energy to repel the shoe 3 towards board 1, by resting on a lateral face 31 of the sole 17. The hardness and elasticity of the material will be chosen according to certain criteria of use and according to the users. For example, for users of low mass and for a very relaxed practice, the material will be softer and cushioning. On the contrary, for a heavy user combined with a practice sporty, the material will be chosen from hard and very bouncy rubbers, for example. In a borderline case, the elastic return means can be replaced by a rigid stop element which prevents any tilting after putting on.

The user also has all the usual functions of the devices conventional, because the shoe 3 is immobilized in the direction of the axis 21 as it is shown in figure 6.

Contacts between walls of insert 18 with walls of the means of locking 23 prevent relative translation of the boot 3 and the board 1 in a direction parallel to axis 21.

Preferably the articulation means, constituted here by the association of the pin 200 with the locking means 23, is located substantially in the middle of the distance separating the front 14 and rear 15 ends of the shoe 3. This layout makes it easier to replace a left-handed user with a right-handed user or vice versa.

The embodiment which has just been described uses a retaining device 5 a shoe 2, 3 relative to a gliding board 1 which has other advantages highlighted in the previously cited documents. For example, insertion of the pin 200 in the reception space delimited by the jaws 24, 25 the locking means 23 is done by simple pressing with the foot. This mode of realization has the advantage of being very solid, practical, functional and reliable.

The retaining device 5 is constructed with conventional means known to one skilled in the art. The materials are, in particular, reinforced or unarmoured plastics, metals, rubbers.

Figures 7 to 9 show a variant of the invention in which the shoe is not in direct contact with the restraint system via a pin attached to the shoe. In this case, the attachment means 20 which is a trunnion 200 is integral with a fixing harness 32 intended to hold a boot soft type surfboard 3.

The fixing harness 32 includes a base 320 on which the sole 17 of shoe, a rear spoiler 321 articulated on the base and which gives a rear support of the surfer's leg, a first means of tightening the front of the 322 foot mounted on the base and a second means of tightening the instep 323 also mounted on the base.

Figure 8 shows a surf boot 3 in the tightening position inside the fastening harness 32. In principle and during normal use, the tightening of the means 322, 323 makes the shoe and in particular its sole 17 integral with the base 320 of the element 32 so that the pin connected to the base can be considered itself integral with the sole of the shoe from a point of view mechanical.

The association of the harness 32 with the locking means 23 constituting the retainer 5 is illustrated in figure 9. The difference with the modes precedents comes that the elastic return means in the form of a block 27 bear on the lateral face of the base 320, and no longer directly on the sole 17 of the boot 3. Preferably, this lateral bearing face can be made of plastic reinforced or include a metal insert added or embedded in a material plastic to be stiff enough and absorb the supports without deformation important.

Of course, one can imagine replacing the fixing harness with any other type of fastener independent of the shoe or boot.

Under certain conditions of use, in particular during technical passages in difficult and rough terrain or when taking lifts mechanical, it may be useful or even essential to completely clamp the boot on the snowboard without the possibility of tipping. In this case, it is necessary to provide a removable locking system as it is shown by way of example in FIGS. 10 to 13.

The retaining device 5 comprises a plate 50 connected to the board snowboard on which is fixed the articulation means including the means of locking 23 on one of the medial or lateral sides of the shoe 3 to allow its tilting as explained previously. On the side opposite the side of the shoe comprising the articulation means, there is a locking means removable 40 to prohibit, in an engagement position, the tilting of the shoe in relation to the board and vice versa to leave free, in a position disengaging the tilting of the shoe.

The locking means 40 is based on a blocking piece 400 mounted rotatable about a vertical axis I on the plate 50 and which includes a finger horizontal 401 which engages in a lumen 170 of the shoe sole 17 in locking or engaging position. The horizontal finger presents, preferably a circular or rounded engagement end allowing a free rotation around axis I without jamming on the edge of the sole or at inside the light 170.

To ensure the locking in position, the locking piece 400 has a bore internal off-center with respect to axis I and opening through a lower orifice under the lower surface of the part in contact with the plate. In the bore is housed a spring 402 which acts in thrust on a ball 403, which comes out slightly from the bore through the lower hole.

The plate 50 is provided with two hollow and hemispherical housings 501.502 intended to receive the ball 403, and consequently block in position the blocking part 400.

In the position corresponding to Figures 11 and 13, the ball 400 is engaged in the rear housing 502 and firmly holds the rotating part 400 in locking engagement position; so any movement of shoe tilting is impossible.

To move from this position to that shown in Figure 12, simply exercise manually a rotation action on the blocking piece to overcome the thrust of spring 402. In the case of FIG. 12, the ball then engages in the housing lateral 501 and the finger 401 is disengaged from the light 170; so that the tilting of the shoe around the articulation means on the opposite side becomes possible again.

It is understood that the removable locking means 40 described and shown by way of example may take other equally equivalent forms. This is how that we can easily imagine replacing this system with a more rudimentary associated with the retaining device such as a strap allowing to clamp the shoe on the board under certain conditions of use.

In some cases, it may also be necessary for reasons of performance and / or safety of the device to control the tilting of the shoe around its joint. For this, Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a nonlimiting example, of a retaining device 5 according to the invention to which is added means 60 for limiting the tilt amplitude.

The retaining device 5 comprises a plate 50 connected to the board by screws 503, 504 for example; on which the sole 17 of the shoe rests. The way articulation proper which includes the locking means 23 is positioned on one side of the shoe to allow it to tilt around the first pin 200.

On the opposite side where this articulation means is positioned, a means 60 of limitation of the amplitude of the tilting is also integral with the plate 50 of the means of restraint.

This means 60 comprises a second pin 201 of axis 210 substantially parallel to the axis 21 of the first pin 200. This second pin 201 is integral with the same shoe way; for example at the insert 18 in contact with the sole 17. It engages in the opening 601 of a "C" shaped element 600. In its direction main, the opening 601 extends in a substantially arcuate manner to allow the free movement of the journal in the tilting phase around the axis 21 of rotation. Its length is chosen according to the stroke of the journal which is wishes to authorize for a maximum inclination of the retaining plane R with the face upper 4 of the corner board β1 (Figure 15). Once this angle value reached, the pin comes into contact with the upper edge 603 of the element 600 which acts as a stop and stops the shoe in an inclined position.

Putting the shoe on in the retaining device provided for in FIGS. 14 and 15 is easily done by lateral engagement at first from the pin 201 in opening 601 by slightly tilting the shoe and imparting a lateral movement towards the opening; then in a second time, by locking the first pin 200 in the locking means automatic by exerting a vertical support of the foot towards the board.

FIG. 16 illustrates a variant of the previous mode in which blocks elastomers are interposed in the opening 601 for a damped contact of the second pin 201 inside the amplitude limiting means. The lower block 604 promotes the damping of the journal on the descent and the upper block 605 promotes amortization on the rise. The stiffness of blocks 604, 605 can be different in comparison and provide harder contact on the ascent than on the descent, for example, or vice versa.

The device of Figure 17 has a plate 50 connected to the board snowboard 1 which includes a cable 504 for adjusting the angle of inclination β2 between the sole of the shoe at rest and the surface of the board. This side can be attached and fixed to the plate 50 by any means such as by gluing or screwing by example. Setting the inclination of the shoe in the resting state may prove to be important to correct certain morphological problems, of the knee for example, affecting certain categories of people. In the case shown, the angle of inclination β2 is positive but, of course, the sheaf may also have a negative tilt -β2 relative to the board depending on the need for correction.

It goes without saying that the control of the angular amplitude of the movement of tipping can be achieved by substantially different means in their form or design without this being beyond the scope of this invention. Improvements can also be made such as that of associate a means of adjusting the amplitude of the tilting for example.

It can also be noted that the elastic return means of the device can be replaced by a compression spring and a means of adjusting the tension and / or the spring stroke can be associated with it.

The elastic return means can have different hardnesses depending on the needs. It can reach a significant hardness to serve as a stop means to prevent the shoe from tipping over in normal condition of use. In this case, the invention is limited only to the advantages linked to the simplification and convenience of footwear provided by the offset connection means, as previously explained.

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

Claims (15)

1. Assembly comprising a boot (2, 3) and a retention device (5) provided to retain the boot (2, 3) on a glide board (1) when the assembly is mounted on the board (1), the board (1) being adapted to the practice of snowboarding; the boot (2, 3) especially comprising a sole (17) affixed to an upper (16), the sole (17) having a wear surface (22), the upper (16) demarcating a front end (10, 14), a lateral side (6, 9), a rear end (12, 15) and a medial side (7, 8), a median longitudinal plane (P2, P3) being substantially perpendicular to the wear surface (22), the boot (2, 3) comprising a first journal (200) that cooperates by engagement with a latching means (23) of the retention device (5), characterized in that the journal (200) allows the boot (2, 3) to rock with respect to the retention device (5) along an axis (21), and in that the journal (200) is offset laterally with respect to the longitudinal plane (P2, P3) and is positioned in the vicinity of one side of the boot, either the lateral side (6, 9) or the medial side (7, 8), of the boot.
2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the journal (200) of the boot (2, 3) is housed in a space of the latching means (23).
3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latching means (23) comprises a retractable jaw (25) that is mobile in translation for its passage from the opening position to the closure position, and vice-versa.
4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the latching means (23) furthermore comprises an elastic means (26) that biases the retractable jaw (25) towards a closure position.
5. Assembly according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the rotational axis (21) of the journal (200) is contained in a plane (R) substantially parallel to the wear surface (22) forming an angle comprised between -45 and +45 degrees with the median longitudinal plane (P2, P3).
6. Assembly according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the journal (200) is located substantially at the middle of the distance separating the front (10, 14) and rear (12, 15) ends of the boot (2, 3).
7. Assembly according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the rotational axis (21) is substantially parallel to the median longitudinal plane (P2, P3).
8. Assembly according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the retention device (5) furthermore comprises at least one elastic return means that resists the rocking movement of the boot (2, 3) with respect to the device (5).
9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the elastic return means of the boot (2, 3) is an elastomer block (27).
10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the rubber block (27) takes support on a lateral surface (31) of the sole (17).
11. Assembly according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the retention device (5) furthermore comprises a detachable latching means (40) located on the opposite side from the side on which the latching means (23) is positioned so as to prevent, in an engagement position, the relative rocking movement of the boot with respect to the device (5) in certain special usage conditions.
12. Assembly according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the device (5) comprises a second journal (201) for limiting the rocking amplitude, the second journal (201) being located on the opposite side from the side on which the first journal (200) is positioned, so as to control the angular amplitude of the rocking movement of the boot with respect to the device (5).
13. Snowboarding boot (2, 3) especially comprising a sole (17) affixed to an upper (16), the sole (17) having a wear surface (22), the upper (16) demarcating a front end (10, 14), a lateral side (6, 9), a rear end (12, 15) and a medial side (7, 8), a median longitudinal plane (P2, P3) being substantially perpendicular to the wear surface (22), the boot comprising a journal (200), characterized in that the journal (200) is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal plane (P2, P3) and is positioned in the vicinity of one side, either the lateral side (6, 9) or the medial side (7, 8), of the boot (2).
14. Harness (32) provided for retaining a flexible-type snowboarding boot (2, 3), the harness comprising a base (320) and a median longitudinal plane (P2, P3) substantially perpendicular to the base (320), the median longitudinal plane (P2, P3) being the same as that of the boot (2, 3) when the latter is retained on the harness (32), characterized in that it comprises a journal (200), the journal (200) being offset laterally with respect to the median longitudinal plane (P2, P3) and being positioned in the vicinity of one side, either the lateral side (6, 9) or the medial side (7, 8), of the boot (2, 3) when the latter is retained on the harness (32).
15. Harness (32) according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a base (320), a rear spoiler (321) articulated on the base, a first and a second tightening means (322, 323) of the boot on the base (320).

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