EP0842678B1 - Support device for a boot on a ski - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly comprises a thrust element (10) which is able to move at least transversely relative to a support (9) by means of an antifriction member (20) made from PTFE, high density polyethylene or an acetal resin plastic. The antifriction member is in the form of a plate (200) which can be made with one-piece or separate front and rear edges (201a, 201r).

Description

The present invention relates to a support device for a ski boot on a ski and more particularly an improvement intended for mobile support at least transversely to the axis longitudinal of the ski.

In general, the shoe of a skier is retained on the ski so triggered by its front end thanks to a front fixing called commonly "stop", and by its rear end, and in particular its heel, thanks to a rear attachment commonly known as a "heel piece".

In the event of significant efforts, the release of the ski boot, endangering the skier's leg or joints, is done by release either from the front or the heel of the shoe, or from both to the time. For this purpose, the front stop comprises, for example, a jaw pivoting at least laterally around a vertical axis, while the heel piece usually includes an upwardly swiveling jaw around a transverse axis, the jaw of the stopper and that of the each heel being acted upon by a trigger spring whose compression is adjustable to provide the skier with an effort value for the release of his adapted shoe.

It is already known to put under the front of the shoe a support device to limit the friction of the lower surface of the front end of the sole on the ski. This device is therefore fixed or linked on the ski and placed at the front of the boot between the sole and the surface superior of skiing. So the front of the sole does not rest directly on the ski but on this support device which is, for example, constituted by a fixed element such as a plate made of a material of low friction coefficient as in polytetrafluoroethylene, or made up by a movable element laterally accompanying the end of the shoe during its lateral movements. Devices of this kind are described, for example, in published patent application FR 89 12761 under the number 2 652 508. Such a device, even if it already provides However, improving your safety is not perfect because it may the displacement of the movable element on its support be upset anarchically and uncontrollably. Another device is described in patent EP.A.0447 779 where a movable element accompanies the movement of the shoe by bearing down on an anti-friction element.

The present invention therefore seeks to solve the drawbacks mentioned previously by proposing that an anti-friction element be provided between the movable element and its support.

Thus, the device for supporting a ski boot on a ski according to the invention comprises a movable support element for the shoe which is movable at least in transverse displacement on a support and which is supported on said support downwards by means of at least one anti-friction element and is characterized in that the movable support element rests on the support at least forward and / or backward through at least one anti-friction element. Of course, we can also plan that the upward retention of the movable support element is done by through an anti-friction element.

According to an additional characteristic, the anti-friction element is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as example, a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the one in which the support and / or the movable support element is produced. Thus, it can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene of high density, while the support is made of polypropylene or polyamide and the movable support element (10) is made of plastic material such as acetal or other resin as in metallic material.

According to another characteristic, the anti-friction element includes a horizontal bottom anti-friction pad and at least a front anti-friction plate. In a preferred mode, the element also includes a rear anti-friction pad.

According to one embodiment, the front anti-friction plate and / or rear is integral and integral with the anti-friction plate lower, while in another embodiment the plate front and / or rear antifriction is independent of the pad lower antifriction.

In the preferred embodiment but given as example, the anti-friction element comprises at least one plate horizontal lower friction placed between the underside of the movable support element and the upper surface of a groove of displacement of said movable support element, said anti-friction element further comprising a front anti-friction plate and a plate rear anti-friction, the front anti-friction plate being disposed between the back side of a front groove and the front side of a front edge of the movable support element, while the rear anti-friction plate is disposed between the front face of a rear groove and the rear face of said mobile support element.

Note that the movable support element moves transversely in a curved sliding groove made in the support, while that the movable support element is a curved profile with the same curvature as said groove. Let us add that according to an additional characteristic, the radius of curvature is between 150 and 300 millimeters, as per example 230 millimeters.

We understand the advantage of the invention which improves the displacement of the mobile support element by reducing the friction and above all to make them constant. Add that the presence the anti-friction element between the movable support element and the support, will allow to obtain a reliability of the releases of the fixation which whatever the forces applied by the shoe on the device, and this even with forward and backward efforts, thanks to the pads front and rear friction

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge of the description which will follow with regard to the appended drawings which are not given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figure 1 is a side view of a ski with its front bindings and rear retaining shoe and the device of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1 without the shoe.

Figures 3a and 3b are views similar to Figure 2 showing respectively the shift to the right and to the left of the movable element of the device.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the device the invention according to its first embodiment.

Figure 5 is an exterior view from above, the movable element being represented in thin mixed lines in two displacement positions lateral.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c are respectively sections according to A-A, B-B and C-C in Figure 5 with partial magnifications.

Figure 7 is an external side view of the device without the movable element, nor the spring, that is to say representing the support with its anti-friction element.

Figure 8 is a top view of the base with the element anti-friction, the upper element of the support as well as the mobile element having been withdrawn.

Figure 9 is an exterior top view of the movable member.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along D-D of FIG. 9.

Figures 11 and 11a illustrate an alternative embodiment in similar views to Figures 4 and 6a of the first embodiment.

Figures 12 and 12a illustrate a second alternative embodiment in views similar to FIGS. 4 and 6a of the first mode of production.

Figures 13 and 13a illustrate a third alternative embodiment in views similar to FIGS. 4 and 6a of the first mode of production.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of another embodiment.

Figures 15 and 15a illustrate an alternative embodiment according to which the anti-friction element also ensures the upward retention of the movable support element. FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 4, while Figure 15a is a cross section.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a variant.

As we said before and as it appears in FIGS. 1 and 2, the boot (1) of the skier is retained on the ski (2) of triggered by its front end (3) thanks to a fixing of front safety (4) commonly called "stop" and by its end rear and in particular its heel (5) thanks to a rear safety fastening (6) called "heel piece".

Add that the front end of the shoe (3) is in support by its lower surface (7) on the support device (8) of the invention.

The support device (8) according to the invention consists of a support (9) and a movable support element (10), said support (9) being fixed skiing, while the movable support element (10) is movable relative said support (9). Add that the movable support element (10) is in projecting from its support and that it is on this support element (10) that the shoe is in support. Also, the upper surface (100) of the movable support element (10) is arranged projecting relative to the upper surface (90) of the support (9).

The width (L9) of the support (9) is substantially equal to the length (L2) of the ski (2) and is constituted by a base (11) on which is fixed an upper support element (12) or cover, the base and the element support upper being, for example, of large plastic resistance such as, for example, acetal type resin, polypropylene or polyamide. The base (11) is, for example, fixed to the ski by gluing, by screws or by its connection with the front binding (4) like, for example, with its base plate (40).

The movable support element (10) which can be, for example, metallic or any other material such as, in particular resin acetal, extends advantageously and in any case as on the mode illustrated, over the entire width of the support and is movable by relation to the latter at least transversely to the right (DR) or to left (GA) with respect to the longitudinal plane (XX ') of general symmetry. According to an additional characteristic, the displacement of the element mobile support is done transversely along a transverse trajectory (T) circular of radius (R) centered at a point (O) located in the plane of general symmetry (XX '), the radius (R) being, for example, between 150 and 300 mm and equal, for example, to 230 mm.

For this purpose, the movable support element (10) is a shape profile slightly curved and moves transversely to slide in a sliding groove (13) of corresponding shape produced in the support (9). Note that in the rest position the movable support element is centered and held in this position thanks to an elastic system while it can slide by sliding in the groove towards the right (DR) or left (GA) against the action of said elastic system constituted, for example, by a compression spring (14).

The sliding groove (13) extends over the entire width of the support, has the general shape of an inverted T to open up (HA) and laterally to the left (GA) and to the right (DR) and includes a central part (130) open upwards (HA) and two grooves, a front groove (131a) and a rear groove (131r), to constitute two vertical retaining projections towards the top of the movable support element (10), namely, a front projection (132a) and a rear projection (132r) (see in particular figure 7). Note that the groove is curved.

The movable support element (10) consists of a transverse profile whose cross section corresponds to the cross section of the groove (13) corresponding. The movable support element (10) extends advantageously, for example, over the entire width of the support and at the shaped like an inverted T. It is constituted by a transverse body (101) whose the lower part is extended at the front by a lower front edge (102a) and at the rear by a rear lower edge (102r) (see in particular figure 10). Note that said lower front edges and rear (102a, 102r) are intended to be engaged in the front grooves and rear (131a, 131r) corresponding to the support.

As we said earlier, a spring (14) allows keep the movable support element in a centered position, lateral displacements of said movable support element being made against the action of this spring (14). Note that the spring is, by its half lower, housed in a lower spring housing (15) made in the support and more particularly in the upper surface (133) of the groove (13), said upper surface (133) of the groove (13) being constituted by said base (11) in the proposed embodiment. Through elsewhere, the spring (14) is, by its upper rise, housed in a upper spring housing (16) made in the lower surface (103) of the movable support element (10). The upper spring housing (16) is equal in length to the length of the lower spring housing (15) and equal to the length of the spring which was slightly compressed during of its mounting, to be prestressed when the movable support element is in centered position. When moving the movable element sideways support (10), the latter compresses the spring either on one side or on the other, to ensure the recall of said movable member in its centered position.

Of course, there are provided stop means for limiting the lateral movement of the movable support element (10) constituted by a stop system. Thus, it is provided on the support, and more particularly on the base, two stops, namely, a straight stop (17a) limiting the movement to the right of the movable support element (10) and a left stop (17r) limiting the movement to the left of the movable support element (10), the two stops (17a, 17r) cooperating with a corresponding stop (18a, 18b) produced on the movable support element (10). The two stops (18a, 18b) are, for example, formed by a clearance (19a, 19b) produced in the edges respectively (102a, 102b).

According to the invention, there is provided at least one anti-friction element of sliding between the movable support element (10) and the support (9). This element is intended to favor and control the lateral displacements of the movable support element (10) relative to the support. The element of sliding is made of low friction material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or high density polyethylene, or even a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene loaded with bronze beads, or any other material appropriate. The anti-friction element is in a weaker material coefficient of friction as the material from which the support (9) is made and more particularly the material of the sliding groove (13). The anti-friction element (20) is also and advantageously made in a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the material of which made the movable support element (10).

An anti-friction element (20) is thus provided comprising at less a horizontal lower anti-friction plate (200) arranged between the underside (103) of the movable support element (10) and the upper surface (133) of the groove (13) for moving said element mobile support. Furthermore, and according to an additional characteristic, the anti-friction element (20) further comprises an anti-friction plate front (201a) and a rear anti-friction plate (201r). The brochure frontal antifriction (201a) being disposed between the rear face (133a) of the front groove (131a) and the front face (104a) of the front edge (102a) of the movable support element (10), while the rear anti-friction plate (201r) is disposed between the front face (133r) of the rear groove (131r) and the rear face (104r) of said movable support element (10). The brochure frontal antifriction (201a) is the antifriction element placed between the movable support element (10) and the support (9) through which leans forward (AV) the movable support element (10), the element front anti-friction (201a) serving as a forward stop for the element support mobile (10), while the rear anti-friction plate (201r) is the anti-friction element arranged between the movable support element (10) and the support (9) through which backs (AR) the movable support element (10) and serves as a rearward stop for this latest.

Advantageously, the two front anti-friction pads (201a) and rear (201r) are extensions of the plate lower antifriction (200) to form with it one and the same part which is fixed in the groove (13) for moving the element mobile support (10) and is made integral with the support (9) by any means such as welding, gluing or embedding. In the proposed realization, the anti-friction element (20) is retained in the groove by two projections side (110a, 110r) and a central projection (110r).

It goes without saying that the two front anti-friction pads (201a) and rear (201r) could be independent of the friction plate lower (200) as illustrated in Figures 11 and 11a. In that case, each of the pads, i.e., the front pad (201a) and the rear plate (201r) is engaged in a transverse groove corresponding (111a, 111r) produced in the base (11).

Furthermore, it would not go beyond the scope of the invention if the device only included, in addition to the lower friction pad (200) than the front plate (201a), as illustrated in the figures 12 and 12a, or while the rear plate (201r), as illustrated in Figures 13 and 13a.

Note also that the frontal anti-friction pads (201a) and rear (201r) could be arranged between the front projections (132a) and rear (132r) and the lateral flanks respectively front (101a) and rear (101r) of the transverse body (101), as shown schematically in Figure 14.

Add that the width of the anti-friction element is substantially equal to the width of the sliding groove and the width of the movable support element. Thus, the anti-friction element is totally the shelter in the sliding groove and is thus protected from dirt or possible scratches, which improves, of course, the conditions of functioning of the product, but also its aging.

Furthermore, the front anti-friction elements (201a, 201r) are advantageously housed under the vertical retaining projections (132a, 132r) of the movable support element.

It goes without saying that the movable support element (10) for the shoe can also be held up (HA) by at least one element antifriction. Figures 15 and 15a illustrate an embodiment comprising an anti-friction element retaining the element upwards mobile support. There is thus provided a front anti-friction element (20a) and a rear anti-friction element (20r), constituted by a transverse profile in U shape each constituting the downward support (200a, 200r), the support front and rear (201a, 201r) making stop and the upper front support and rear (202a, 202r).

Figure 16 is an alternative embodiment of the embodiment of the Figure 4 according to which the movable support element (2a) consists of a mobile front support element (20a) and a mobile support element rear (20r), the two mobile support elements being independent and not united.

It would not go beyond the scope of the invention if the support (9) itself constituted the movable support element. So and as it is illustrated in Figure 17, the base (11) is made directly of material antifriction with low coefficient of friction.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the modes of realization described and represented as examples, but it includes also all technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims (14)

1. Device (8) for supporting a ski boot (1) on a ski (2), comprising a movable support element (10) for the boot, which is able to move at least in transverse movement (T) on a support (9) and which bears on the said support downwards (BA) by means of at least one antifriction element (20, 200), characterised in that the movable support element (10) rests on the support (9) at least towards the front (AV) and/or towards the roar (AR) by means of at least one antifriction element (20, 200, 201a, 201r).
2. Support device (8) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the movable support element (10) is upwardly (HA) retained by means of an antifriction element (20).
3. Support device (8) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the antifriction element (20, 200, 201a, 201r) is produced from a material having a lower coefficient of friction than that from which the support (9) and/or the movable support element (10) is produced.
4. Support device (8) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the antifriction element (20, 200, 201a, 201r) is produced from polytetrafluoroethylene.
5. Support device (8) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the antifriction element (20, 200, 201a, 201r) is produced from high-density polyethylene.
6. Support device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support (9), and/or the movable support element (10), is producod from a plastics material such as acetal resin.
7. Support device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the antifriction element (20, 200, 201a, 201r) comprises a horizontal bottom antifriction plate (200) and at least one front antifriction plate (201a).
8. Support device (8) according to Claim 7, characterised in that the antifriction element (20) comprises a rear antifriction plate (201r).
9. Support device (8) according to either one of Claims 7 or R, characterised in that the front antifriction plate (201a) and/or rear antifriction plate (201r) is fixed to, and in one piece with, the bottom antifriction plate (200).
10. Support device (8) according to either one of Claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the front antifriction plate (201a), and/or rear antifriction plate (201r), is independent of the bottom antifrication plate (200).
11. Support device (8) according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the antifriction element (20) comprises at least one horizontal bottom antifriction plate (200) disposed between the bottom face (103) of the movable support element (10) and the top surface (133) of a groove (13) for movement of the said movable support element, the front antifriction plate (201a) being disposed between the rear face (133a) of a front recess (131a) and the front face (104a) of a front rim (102a) of the movable support element (10), whilst the rear antifriction plate (201r) is disposed between the front face (133r) of a rear recess (131r) and the rear face (104h) of the said movable support element (10).
12. Device (8) for supporting a ski boot (1) on a ski (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movable support element (10) moves transversely in a curved groove for sliding (13), produced in the support (9).
13. Support device (8) according to Claim 12, characterised in that the movable support element (10) is a curved profile with the same curvature as the corresponding groove.
14. Support device (8) according to Claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the radius of curvature (R) is Detween 150 and 300 millimetres.

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