EP0925812A1 - Quick acting coupling between a shoe to a sportarticle - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot comprises locking parts (15) and the skate has two associated complementary locking catches (20,40). The boot locking part comprises a T-shaped projecting part. One skate catch (40) can rotate and the other catch (20) is fixed.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for quickly connecting a shoe to an article of sport in particular sliding sport, such as ice skating, roller skating or inline skating.

Traditional connection systems consist of straps, arranged at the neck foot and the metatarsophalangeal joint that is tightened on the shoe. Such connecting systems have the disadvantage of generating overpressures and painful points in the tightening zones without, however, providing a truly play-free assembly of the shoe with sliding device.

Different solutions have been envisaged for producing such assemblies, without creating painful clamping points for the user, from connection systems complementary provided in the sole of the shoe and on the upper part of the body sliding.

Thus, US 908 536 provides a method of connecting the shoe to the sliding member (in this case an ice skate blade) by a bayonet system. In a mode of particular embodiment, two bayonet systems are provided in the longitudinal direction at the front while a bayonet system perpendicular to the previous ones is provided at the rear.

Such a system requires a pivoting movement of the rear part while the part front is already fixed and therefore requires significant clearance for locking the shoe.

Such games are incompatible with good transmission of forces. Speak FR 2 141 360 it is known to assemble a shoe to an inline skate frame by through a loop hanging on the back on one of the edges of the sole. Such system requires having a sole on the one hand extremely rigid, since it is she who ensures the connection by each of the ends to the chassis, and that it is therefore subject to significant compression forces in the longitudinal direction and on the other hand, overflowing by compared to the upper of the shoe.

Such a shoe is obviously not very suitable for walking. A system of similar assembly is known from FR 2 720 286 and suffers from the same drawbacks.

Finally, US 4,932,675 shows a principle of assembling a shoe to a chassis of ice skate or roller skate using two pairs of corner connections respectively at the front and at the rear, each corner connection having a double slope respectively in the direction vertical and transverse.

Such a binding system requires a very rigid sole and is extremely difficult to realize due to the existence of double ramps. Indeed, if the conical parts do not not corresponding or badly, there will be a harmful play to a rigid and solid assembly. Through elsewhere, even if the ramps are well adjusted, such a system is very sensitive to vibrations and can be loosened very easily especially when practicing roller skating particularly generator of vibrations.

In all cases, the shoe's removability is at the expense of the stiffness of the shoe / sliding member assembly and the precision thereof.

Furthermore, the known assembly principles are all more or less complicated and require the use of two hands and the use of tools, especially screwing. Of more, they are incompatible with the use of the shoe as a walking shoe.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and in particular to provide a system for assembling and quickly connecting a shoe to a sliding member which allows rigid assembly without play, in all directions, so as to guarantee perfect force transmission and driving precision, while being compatible with relatively flexible shoe sole and / or suitable for walking.

This object is achieved in the shoe / sports article assembly according to the invention by the fact that the shoe comprises at least one locking member, and that the sports article comprises at least one complementary locking device of said locking member for define at least one locking system, and that at least one element of each locking system lock is mounted resiliently movable in a vertical direction so as to block the shoe against the sports article by pulling vertically during the operation of locking.

Indeed, the elastic displacement in the vertical direction of at least one of the organs of locking ensures a play-free connection of the shoe to the sports article by pulling it against said sports article. The assembly of the shoe to the article by a traction in vertical direction, instead of compression in longitudinal direction as in the usual assembly methods, moreover allows a relative flexibility to be preserved of the sole, compatible with the walking function of the shoe, since it is the article of sport against which the shoe is pressed which will provide the necessary rigidity.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shoe / sports article assembly comprises two locking systems arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis of the shoe, and means for taking up play in the longitudinal direction and in the direction respectively transverse are associated with at least one locking system.

The connection thus obtained is completely free in three directions and allows by elsewhere to compensate for manufacturing tolerances when the shoe has a part molded plastic in the assembly area.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective montrant une partie de la chaussure et une partie d'article de sport avant assemblage,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon II-II de la figure 1, d'un organe de verrouillage de la chaussure,
• la figure 2A est une vue similaire à la figure 2 selon une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique illustrant le mode d'assemblage des parties de chaussure et d'article de sport de la figure 1,
• la figure 3A est une vue de détail de la figure 3,
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon IV-IV du système de verrouillage avant de la figure 2, après introduction de l'organe de verrouillage de la chaussure,
• la figure 5 est, à échelle agrandie, une vue similaire à la figure 4 en début de verrouillage,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 5 en position de verrouillage,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus du système de verrouillage arrière en position déverrouillée,
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 7 en position de verrouillage,
• la figure 9 est une vue de dessus, partiellement coupée, des deux dispositifs de verrouillage du châssis selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle d'une chaussure selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe selon XI-XI de la figure 10,
• la figure 12 est une vue similaire à la figure 5 du système de verrouillage arrière en position déverrouillée, selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 13 est une vue similaire à la figure 12 en position de verrouillage.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing, by representing by way of nonlimiting examples several examples of realization, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the shoe and a part of a sports article before assembly,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view along II-II of FIG. 1, of a member for locking the boot,
• FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 according to an alternative embodiment,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the method of assembling the parts of the shoe and of the sports article of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3A is a detailed view of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of the front locking system of FIG. 2, after introduction of the locking member of the shoe,
• FIG. 5 is, on an enlarged scale, a view similar to FIG. 4 at the start of locking,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 in the locked position,
• FIG. 7 is a top view of the rear locking system in the unlocked position,
• FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 in the locked position,
• FIG. 9 is a top view, partially cut away, of the two chassis locking devices according to a second embodiment,
• FIG. 10 is a view in partial longitudinal section of a shoe according to a second embodiment,
• FIG. 11 is a sectional view along XI-XI of FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the rear locking system in the unlocked position, according to a second embodiment,
• Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 in the locked position.

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 1 consisting of a shoe 10 and a sports article 20 according to the invention, applied to roller skating.

Only the framework of the shoe 10 is shown, this being made up of a part bass or cradle 11, preferably made of synthetic material, carrying two locking device 15 arranged along the longitudinal axis 2 of the assembly and of an upper part or collar 12 extending upwards from the cradle 11 to surround the ankle the user.

The construction of the shoe 10 will not be described further, knowing that the part collar 12 could be omitted for a shoe with a low upper, or could be constructed as an independent part articulated on the cradle, ... etc.

Similarly, the cradle part 11 could be produced differently, the main thing being that it can receive the locking members 15 to allow the locking of the shoe 10 to sports article 20.

In this case, and as shown in particular in Figure 2, the locking members 15 are in the form of nipples each consisting of a part, in the form of a cylindrical rod 16 extending downwards from the lower face 11a of the cradle and ending in an elongated cap 17 extending, at T, substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis 2, a distance d from the lower face 11a of the cradle. The peripheral edge of this hat is fitted with a chamfer 18.

Furthermore, each locking member 15 is slidably mounted by its rod 16 in a associated hole 11c of the cradle and is fixed on the latter by a base 19, for example in the form of disc, assembled in a manner known per se (screw, rivet) in 19a on an internal sole 13, relatively flexible, from the cradle, itself fixed to the latter by screws, rivets, etc., 13a. A compressible washer 14, for example made of elastomeric material, is interposed between the sole 13 and an associated housing 11d provided in the bottom 11b of the cradle 11. Therefore each locking member 15 is mounted with a possibility of movement with return elastic in vertical direction relative to the cradle 11, so as to make up for the play possible in this direction as we will see later. The elastic washer 14 allows also to ensure the waterproofness of the shoe vis-à-vis the outside.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic washer 14 is eliminated and the elastic displacement of the locking member 15 is effected by the sole displacement elastic of its base 19 and of the insole 13.

One could also consider a direct mounting of each locking member 15 on the cradle 11, the latter then providing the elasticity necessary for vertical displacement elastic of said locking member 15.

Each locking member 15 is intended to cooperate with a locking device associated respectively 30, 40, of the sports article by constituting a locking system respectively front 15, 20, and rear 15, 40.

Only the chassis 20 of this sporting article is represented in the drawing and it is made up of the occurrence of two parallel flanges 21 connected by two horizontal bridges respectively 22, 23. Wheels (not shown in the drawing) are intended to be fixed in holes 24 provided at the lower ends of the two flanges 21. Each bridge 22, 23 is pierced with a similar hole 22a emerging, substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 2.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 to 6, the locking device front 30 of the chassis 20 consists of a housing 31 fixed on the front deck 22 and trapping a circular bell-shaped part constituting a fixed lock 32. This fixed lock 32 has in its upper wall 33 a light 34 having substantially the same shapes and the same dimensions as the cap 17 of the locking member 15, so as to allow the passage thereof, and arranged along the longitudinal axis 2, that is to say at an angle α equal at 90 ° relative to the cap 17 of the associated locking member 15.

Internally, the latch 32 defines a cylindrical cavity 35 constituting a suitable housing to receive the cap 17 of the locking member, during a rotation thereof. As well as the show more particularly Figures 5 and 6, the lower edge of the light 34 defines a transverse ramp 36 and the bottom 35a of the housing 35 is at a distance from the face upper 31 a of the housing 31 which is greater than the distance d mentioned above (cf. FIG. 5).

The operation of the front unlocking system is illustrated more particularly in the Figure 3. First the shoe 10 is presented on the frame 20 in a direction P perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 of the assembly, so that the cap of the lock 15 is aligned with the light 34 of the fixed lock 32 and can engage in the housing 35 thereof (see Position in phantom in Figure 3).

Then simply rotate the shoe a quarter of a turn, i.e. the value of the angle α, according to the arrow T in FIG. 3, so that the cap 17 of the locking member 15 is blocked in the lock in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2.

During this pivoting, the cap 17 descends along the ramp, 36 and, due to the difference between the distances d and d ', compresses the spring washer 14, thus removing any vertical clearance between said locking member 15 and the latch 32. It will be noted that this compression is also allowed by a corresponding flexion of the inner sole 13.

A first blocking of the shoe 10 is thus obtained relative to the chassis 20 at the same time in vertical direction, but also in transverse direction by the cooperation of the edges longitudinal 34a of the light 34 with the rod 16 of the locking member (see Figure 3). The hole 22a of the bridge 22 makes it possible to evacuate the dirt which may be on the organ of locking 15 during locking.

This first blocking of the shoe 10 is carried out with a clearance L in the longitudinal direction (along the longitudinal axis 2) so as to compensate for the differences in spacing between the members locking device 15 linked to manufacturing constraints.

This longitudinal clearance L is shown in FIGS. 3A and is defined by the abutment of the cap 17 with the circular bottom of the housing 35.

This clearance in fact depends on the diameter of said housing 35 and is in this case chosen so as to be greater than the center distance tolerance between the locking members 15 during the shoe manufacturing.

Of course, other means could be provided to preserve this longitudinal play before locking the rear locking system 15, 40.

The front locking system 15, 20, could also be provided so that it takes place after only a pivoting α, of the order of 45 ° for example, or less than the shoe, so as to have a more ergonomic movement. In this case, just plan a corresponding angular offset α between the lumen 34 and the front locking member 15.

The second locking device 40 operates substantially identical to that of of the locking device 30. Like this one (cf. FIGS. 7 and 8) it includes a case 41 fixed to the rear axle 23, a lock 42 in the form of a circular bell, trapped in the housing 41 and having in its upper wall a light 44 for the passage of the cap 17 of the associated locking member 15, a cylindrical cavity 45 capable of receiving said cap 17, as well as a ramp 46 transverse to the light 44, the bottom of the housing 45 located at a distance from the upper face of the housing 41 which is greater than the distance d.

The differences lie in the fact that the light 44 is arranged asymmetrically by relative to the longitudinal axis 2, and opens laterally on the side of the latch 42, and in fact that the housing 41 is also provided with an associated light 41a, similar to the light 44 and opening laterally on the side of the housing, and that the latch 42 is rotatably mounted in its housing and is provided with a lever 47 for its actuation. Two stops 48, 49 are also provided in the housing 41 to cooperate with the lever 47 and limit its pivoting between a unlocked position, shown in Figure 7, where the two lights 41a and 44 are aligned and perpendicular to the cap 17 of the locking member, and a locking position, shown in Figure 8, where the two lumens 41a and 44 are perpendicular to each other.

This locking device 40 comes into play once the first locking system has been locked. locking 15, 30, performed. The shoe then pivoted from position I shown in FIG. 2, in position II, and is in alignment with the longitudinal axis 2, the rear locking member 15 being engaged in the lights 44 and 41a of the lock and of the housing. At the end of this movement pivot, the rod 16 of the rear locking member presses against the front edge 41b of the light 41a thereby achieving a first locking in the longitudinal direction. he then simply rotate the lever 47 of the lock 42 until the latter comes into abutment against the stop 49, in the locking position to come and permanently lock said member lock 15 in the associated housing.

During this pivoting the bottom 44a and the sides 44b of the light 44 of that of the lock are applied against the rod 16 of the locking member 15 and perform a locking in transverse direction of said rod 16.

As before, this locking is also carried out with compression of the spring washer 14 in the vertical direction, thereby eliminating any play between the lock 15 and lock 42.

A blocking is therefore obtained both in the longitudinal direction, by the cooperation of the edge 41b of the light 41a with the rod 16, in transverse direction by the cooperation of the sides 44b of the light 44 with the rod 16, and in the vertical direction by the compression of the washer elastic 14.

As the front locking system 15, 20, is also locked in the direction transverse and vertical, we obtain an assembly without any play, in all directions vertical, transverse and longitudinal, from the shoe to the chassis, which guarantees a perfect link, similar to a non-removable link, and precise transmission of all the efforts of the shoe to the chassis, and vice versa.

Note that the compensation for play in the longitudinal direction is particularly interesting to compensate for the differences in positions in the longitudinal direction between the locking device 15 which may result for example from manufacturing tolerances and molding. Furthermore, this method of assembly does not require a rigid sole and is entirely made compatible with a relatively flexible sole suitable for walking.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, this is how by example the front locking systems 15, 20, and rear 15, 40, could be reversed. As previously explained, the light from the fixed lock locking system could also be provided at a different angle so as to allow an introduction easier shoe in the first locking system.

It will also be noted that this double locking system is particularly simple of use, requires no tools and can be carried out with one hand, once the shoe on, since it is enough to engage the light of the front locking device of the chassis on the associated locking member 15 at an angle α from 45 ° to 90 ° (or other), as the case may be, to pivot the chassis by engaging the light of the movable lock on the second locking member and then rotate said movable lock to obtain locking and final assembly.

Figures 9 to 13 illustrate another embodiment in which the identical elements or similar are designated by the same references increased by 100. The difference essential compared to the previous embodiment lies in the fact that the lights 144, 141a, of the rear lock 142 and of the corresponding housing 141 are not through and are centered on the longitudinal axis 2 so that the rear locking member 115 is engaged in said lights in a vertical direction, after a slight bending of the cradle 111 / sole, after the front locking member 115 has been locked.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each locking member 115 is mounted at the bottom of a longitudinal groove 103 delimited on the one hand by the external face of the cradle 111, and on the other hand by a peripheral rim 104 constituted for example by rubber and forming a outsole. Such a construction requires a cradle 111 and a sole 104 flexible enough to be bent and introduced in the direction vertical. This construction has the advantage that the locking members 115 are protected by the peripheral rim 104.

Depending on the sporting item on which the shoe is attached, the longitudinal groove can be interesting for cooperating with a guide system of the associated longitudinal rib type. Such a groove can also be advantageously replaced by simple recesses substantially cylindrical provided in the tread 104 around each member of locking 115, this embodiment allowing even better protection of locking devices.

Furthermore, the peripheral rim 104 has a more suitable surface for the market. We therefore obtain a shoe compatible with walking while being able to be fixed appropriately to the chassis.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of nonlimiting example, but encompasses all similar embodiments thereof or equivalent to solve the same problems.

This is how other means of achieving blockages in transverse direction and longitudinal could be considered without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims (16)

Shoe / sport article assembly, characterized in that the shoe comprises at at least one locking member (15, 115), in that the sports article includes at least one associated locking device (20, 40; 120, 140) complementary to said locking (15, 115) to define at least one locking system respectively (15, 20; 15, 40; 115, 120; 115, 140), and in that at least one element of each system of lock is mounted resiliently movable in a vertical direction so as to block the shoe against the sports article by pulling vertically during the operation of locking. Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastically movable element of each locking system is constituted by the locking member (15, 115). Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each locking member (15, 115) has a projecting portion including a cap substantially T-shaped and in that each locking device has a lock able to cooperate with said locking member. Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that at at least one latch (40, 140) is rotatable. Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one latch (20, 120) is fixed. Shoe / sports item assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises two locking systems (15, 20; 15, 40) disposed respectively at the metatarsal and heel level. Shoe / sports item assembly according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that each locking member (15, 115) is mounted resiliently movable by relative to the shoe in a vertical direction. Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that each locking member is slidably mounted by its rod (16, 116) in an associated hole of the bottom of the shoe with the interposition of an elastic element (14, 13). Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that each locking member (115) is mounted at the bottom of an associated recess (103) of the sole delimited by a peripheral rim (104) and the bottom of the cradle (111). Shoe / sports item assembly according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that each lock comprises at least one ramp capable of exerting a tensile force of the locking member in vertical direction during a relative pivoting of said lock and the associated locking member. Shoe / sports item assembly according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the fixed lock consists of a housing (35, 135) capable of receiving the cap (17, 117) of the locking member during a rotation of the latter by a determined angle (α), this housing (35, 135) being closed at its upper end and provided with a light engagement (34, 134) of said cap (17, 117) oriented at an angle (α) relative to the orientation of said cap (17, 117). Shoe / sports item assembly according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that each lock defines stops in the transverse direction. Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the movable lock consists of a circular bell (42), provided with a light (44) of passage of the cap (17), rotatably mounted and movable by means of a lever (47) of a unlocked position, in which the light (44) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the cap (17) of the locking member, in a locking position, in which said light (41) is perpendicular to the direction of said cap (17). Shoe / sports article assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the light (41a) of the fixed housing (41) has an edge (41b) capable of being applied against the rod (16) of the locking member (15) for locking in the longitudinal direction of said rod (16). Shoe, characterized in that it comprises locking members (15, 115) according to any one of claims 1 to 14. Sports item, characterized in that it includes locking devices (20, 40; 120, 140) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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