EP1129747A2 - Wedgeshaped element for a snowboardbinding - Google Patents

Abstract

An element forming an inclined wedge, intended to be integrated with the front or rear end of the base plate of a snowboard binding, or directly with the upper face (5) of a snowboard, is disclosed. The element includes an upper face (9) intended to receive the bearing forces of the front or rear end of the sole of a boot, and having a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the element and the base plate of the binding or the upper face of the snowboard. The element may also provide a mechanism (30, 31) for adjusting the longitudinal position of the element in relation to the binding or snowboard.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of sliding sports and more specifically that snowboarding or snowboarding. It relates more particularly to an element interface set up between the ends of the sole of the shoe and the binding or the surfboard, to fill the empty space between the sole and fixing or plank. Such interface elements are commonly called in the field of snowboarding by the English expression of "gas pedal".

Previous techniques

As we know, surfing is practiced either with rigid shoes resembles alpine ski boots, either with flexible boots cooperating with fasteners having original elements, in particular a rear gutter intended to provide support for the flexible shoe. The invention is relates more precisely to this family of flexible shoes and bindings adapted. Such shoes are indeed used for their quality of comfort allowing the user to walk without discomfort when he has taken off his board.

However, to allow a good unrolling of the foot during the walking movement, the soft shoes have a sole that has a slight curvature such that the front and rear ends are slightly raised.

We therefore design at the front and / or rear ends of the shoe, when the latter is placed on the binding, there is a certain volume unoccupied between the underside of the sole of the shoe and the upper face of the mounting base, or even the sliding board itself depending on the architecture of the fixing used. This material-free volume does not therefore does not allow the user to transmit the forces at the ends front and / or rear of the foot which we know moreover, that it constituted one of the zones main transmission of support.

It should be noted that this problem of the efficient transmission of support arises more importantly at the front end of the shoe, since the supports at the rear end of the shoe are provided so predominant by the rear gutter of the binding. However, the lack of support effective at the back of the heel of the shoe causes inaccuracies in terms of the sensations received and therefore the conduct of the surf.

To solve this problem, solutions have already been proposed.

In document US Pat. No. 5,503,900, a fixing has been described, the base of which has additional elements located at the front and rear ends. These elements form inclined wedges whose upper surface is intended to come in contact with the sole of the shoe at the front and rear level. In this way, the forces exerted near the tip of the shoe are transmitted towards of the base via this wedge element. The clearance between the sole of the shoe and the upper face of the base is removed, which allows transmission of efforts from the first movements of the toes. The major drawback of these wedge elements is that they cannot adapt to different sizes shoes, and it’s therefore necessary to reposition them each time the user changes shoes.

Furthermore, it has been proposed in document WO 98/42419 to make the wedges adjustable in longitudinal and transverse positions to be able to adapt to different sole configurations. However, the element having a form determined, it cannot correspond to all forms of sole of market shoes. Such a solution therefore has the major drawback that function of different curvatures of the sole of the shoe, it may appear a certain clearance between the sole and the wedge element. This game produces the effects aforementioned harmful.

It has been proposed in document WO 00/30722 to equip the base with a surfboard binding with an articulated wedge. More specifically, this wedge has two side tabs which allow the adjustment of its inclination relative to the base. This solution allows to adapt to different curvatures of the front of the shoe. However, it ignores the fact that differences in curvature of the front of the shoe generally correspond to sizes different and therefore at different shoe lengths.

One of the problems which the invention therefore proposes to solve is that of optimizing the contact between the wedge element and the sole of the shoe, to obtain the best possible transmission of forces, and whatever the shoe size and geometry.

Statement of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a wedge element, intended to be secured to the front or rear end of the base of a surfboard binding, or directly to the upper face of the surfboard. This element has a top side intended to receive the supports from the front or rear end of the sole of the shoe.

This element forming an inclined wedge comprises means for adjusting the angle. inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the wedge inclined and the upper face of the board, so as to be adaptable to several shoe geometries.

According to the invention, the wedge element is characterized in that it also includes means capable of adjusting the longitudinal position of the face upper of the shim relative to the base of the binding.

In other words, the characteristic element has a variable geometry which allows to adapt to different types and sizes of shoe sole in completely filling the volume between the surfboard and the below the sole. The angle of inclination is measured in a longitudinal plane which is perpendicular to the board and in the direction of orientation of the foot. So, when the user changes shoes and the sole of their new shoes is more raised at the front end or longer, it just change the inclination of the upper face of the wedge, and the position longitudinal of the latter so that its supports are just as effectively transmitted only with the old setting.

The characteristic element may also include means capable of adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a transverse plane, between the upper face of the wedge and the upper face of the board, so as to adapt to a position of the shoe inclined transversely. In this way, it is possible to optimize the position of the foot by a transverse inclination or "canting", while keeping good transmission of support at the front end of the shoe.

• une plaque inférieure solidarisée à l'embase de la fixation ou à la planche de glisse,
• une plaque supérieure dont la face supérieure est destinée à recevoir les appuis de la chaussure, ladite plaque supérieure étant articulée par rapport à la plaque inférieure,
• des moyens aptes à régler à la fois l'inclinaison et la position longitudinale relatives des deux plaques inférieure et supérieure l'une par rapport à l'autre.

In a particular embodiment, the wedge element according to the invention comprises

• a lower plate secured to the base of the binding or to the gliding board,
• an upper plate whose upper face is intended to receive the supports of the shoe, said upper plate being articulated with respect to the lower plate,
• means capable of adjusting both the inclination and the relative longitudinal position of the two lower and upper plates relative to each other.

In some special cases, the bottom plate can be an integral part of the base, of which it then constitutes a forward extension. In other case, the element is completely separate from the base and comes into place on this, or even on the board, at the front end of the base.

If the lower plate is fixed to the base, provision may be made for adjust the longitudinal position of the anchor point of said plate on the base to obtain the characteristic setting.

In a first embodiment, the means capable of adjusting the inclination of the two plates comprise at least one screw cooperating with the two lower and upper plates. In a first variant, the lower plate has a thread receiving said screw, and the upper plate rests on the head of this screw so that the latter works in compression. In other words, when the screw undergoes the screwing movement, the screw penetrates the inside of the thread and the upper plate approaches the lower plate. Advantageously in practice, the upper plate may have a suitable housing to receive the head of the screw, this housing then having an opening opening on the upper face of the upper plate to allow access to said head screw. This prevents the elements from protruding from the upper side of the wedge.

According to another alternative embodiment, the lower plate includes a thread receiving the screw, and it is the head of the screw which rests on the plate upper, so that the screwing of the screw brings the upper plate relative to the lower plate, return means being arranged to oppose this rapprochement. These recall means are sufficiently stiff in compression to prevent the shoe from tipping over when efforts are exerted.

In some embodiments, the top plate may have a vertical flap oriented towards the bottom plate, and able to close the opening between the two plates to limit the introduction of snow. In another variant, the space between the two plates can be filled with a compressible foam, so as to prevent the introduction of snow.

In another alternative embodiment, the means capable of adjusting the inclination may consist of a moving part, the position of which is indexed relative to to the lower plate, the upper zone of which comes into contact with the lower face of the upper plate to determine the inclination relative to the plate lower.

• une base crantée destinée à coopérer avec la face crantée de la plaque inférieure avec laquelle elle vient en contact ;
• au moins un plot monté sur ladite base et dont la face supérieure forme la zone venant au contact de la plaque supérieure.

In practice, the moving part can include:

• a notched base intended to cooperate with the notched face of the lower plate with which it comes into contact;
• at least one stud mounted on said base and the upper face of which forms the zone coming into contact with the upper plate.

Advantageously in practice, the articulation of the two lower plates and upper can be achieved by a connecting member capable of pressing the two plates against each other. The upper plate advantageously has a curve at the level of the area of cooperation with said connecting member so as to allow the inclination of the plates between them. In this way, the tilting movement of the top plate is allowed without generating mechanical stresses on this plate.

Advantageously in practice, the contact areas of the lower plates and upper have additional notches capable of ensuring blocking in longitudinal position of the two plates relative to each other. In this way, we eliminates any risk of the top plate shifting relative to the plate lower when it is under stress.

Advantageously in practice, the lower plate has a groove longitudinal in which part of the connecting member can move for ensure the longitudinal adjustment of the upper plate relative to the plate lower, the locking in position being provided by the aforementioned notched areas.

Advantageously in practice, the shim may include two adjusting screws located on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the element, so that ensure a distribution of the efforts limiting the risks of rupture of the troubles of mechanical.

Advantageously in practice, the wedge may comprise a transverse blade cooperating with the two screws, so as to ensure a better distribution over the entire width of the shim of the forces exerted by the upper plate.

Advantageously in practice, the wedge may include a seal interposed between the lower and upper plates. In a particular form, it a layer of plastic material capable of camouflaging the screw heads may be provided.

Brief description of the figures

Les figures 1a et 1b sont des vues de dessus d'une embase d'une fixation de surf équipée d'un élément conforme à l'invention, montrée dans deux configurations.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe de la figure 1 selon le plan II-II'.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe de la figure 1 selon le plan III-III'.

La figure 4 correspond à la figure 2 dans laquelle la géométrie de l'élément caractéristique a été modifiée.

La figure 5 correspond à la figure 3 lorsque la géométrie de la cale a été modifiée.

Les figures 6 à 9 sont des vues en coupe de différentes variantes de réalisation.

The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as the advantages which result therefrom, will emerge clearly from the description of the various embodiments which follow, with the support of the appended figures, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are top views of a base of a surfboard binding equipped with an element according to the invention, shown in two configurations.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 along the plane II-II '.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1 along the plane III-III '.

Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 in which the geometry of the characteristic element has been modified.

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 3 when the geometry of the wedge has been modified.

Figures 6 to 9 are sectional views of different alternative embodiments.

Way of realizing the invention

As already said, the invention relates to a wedge element intended to be installed at the front and / or rear of a surfboard binding, to fill the volume between the upper face of the board and the underside of the sole, when it is curved upwards. Several architectures can be used, respecting the same principle in which the upper face of the wedge can be adjusted in inclination.

First way of carrying out the invention

Figures 1a, 1b and 2 to 5 relate to a first embodiment in which the front part of the base (1) constitutes one of the plates of the element feature. More precisely this base has in its center an opening (2) intended to receive the adjustment disc in orientation of the binding. The part chamfered (3) serves in effect for indexing the disc, not shown.

The front part (4) of the base rests directly on the upper face (5) of the board. This front part (4) of the base forms in its extreme part at the front a lower plate (6) above which a recess is produced (7) allowing the establishment of the upper plate (8), so that the upper face (9) of this upper plate (8) is in continuity with the face upper (10) of the central part of the base. The upper plate (8) is limited at the front and rear by edges in an arc. The rear edge (12) is substantially centered on the center (13) of the binding, while the front edge (11) conforms to the shape of the foot and is therefore slightly further forward on the inside (15) of the foot.

The upper plate (8) is secured to the lower plate (6) or the front end of the base by a connecting member (20) consisting of a screw (21) and a shoulder nut (22). The head (23) of the screw fits into a housing (24) provided for this purpose on the top of the upper plate (8) and the nut shoulder (22) has its zone (25) of larger diameter which is housed the interior of a groove (26) provided for this purpose under the underside (27) of the base corresponding to the bottom plate of the hold. The lesser part diameter (28) of the shoulder nut (22) can move in an opening longitudinal (29) formed inside the lower plate (6). In this way, the connecting member (20) and therefore the upper plate (8) can move longitudinally between the two positions illustrated in Figures la and 1b.

Maintaining the position of the upper plate (8) relative to the plate lower (6) is effected on the one hand, by the tightening of the connecting member (20), and on the other hand, by the cooperation of the two facing surfaces (30, 31) which are advantageously notched.

In accordance with a characteristic of the invention, the upper plate (8) has an orientation capacity with respect to the lower plate (6) for adapt to different shoe geometries. This orientation is obtained by pivoting of the upper plate (8) relative to the lower plate (6) or the end of the base, around the connecting member (20). This is why, the parts (33, 34) of the lower face of the upper plate (8) located in front and behind the connecting member (20) are not coplanar, but present at otherwise a slight inclination, so that when the top plate (8) pivots around the connecting member (20), the part (33) of the upper plate (8) located at the rear of the connecting member (20) can approach the face upper (37) of the lower plate (6) corresponding to the limit of the offset (7).

Maintaining in the desired orientation position is ensured by two screws (40, 41) located near the front edge (11) of the upper plate (8). More precisely, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the front part of the upper plate (8) has a flap (45) directed downwards, and which arrives when the upper plate (8) is in the lowest position almost in contact with the upper face (5) of the board.

The front part of the upper plate (8) comprises, in its zones lateral, two threads (46) inside which a threaded rod can be screwed (47) whose lower zone includes a washer (48) intended to come into contact of the upper face (5) of the board. The upper part of the threaded rod (47) is accessible by the upper face (9) of the upper plate (8) at a housing (49) provided for this purpose, and which can advantageously be closed by a stud (50) made of plastic. When the user ensures a screwing effort on the upper part of the threaded rod (47), it causes its descent inside the thread (46) of the upper plate. The washer (48) coming into contact with the face upper part of the board, it follows that by reaction the upper plate (8) raises. The result is illustrated in FIG. 5 in which it is observed that the plate upper is slightly offset upwards, both at the lateral level (see figure 5) than at the median level (see Figure 4). The inclination variation can reach up to 30 °.

Second way of carrying out the invention

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the lower plate (60) extends up to the vicinity of the flap (61) of the upper plate (62). In his extreme end, the lower plate (60) has a zone (63) including a thread (64) into which a screw (65) enters, the head (66) of which passes through the plate upper (62) at the level of a housing (67) provided for this purpose. The head (66) of the screw (65) can be accompanied by a washer (68) intended to ensure good distribution of forces at the shoulder (69) of the housing (67). When the screw (66) is screwed into the thread (64), the head (65) of the screw and the washer (68) associated drive the upper plate (62) down. Means of recall, such as an elastic foam stud (70), or springs (not shown) oppose the movement of the upper plate (62) downwards.

The longitudinal adjustment of the shim is obtained by modifying the position of the lower plate (60) relative to the base (71). To this end, the base (71) and the rear part (72) of the lower plate (60) have an overlap zone. The rear part (72) of the upper plate has a longitudinal lumen (73) through which a screw (74) is screwed into the front end of the base.

An alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 operates according to a principle mechanically close. The screw (75) which penetrates into the thread (64) of the plate lower (6) has a spherical head (76) which comes into contact with a housing (78) of complementary shape formed on the underside (79) of the plate upper (80). This housing (78) opens out through a smaller opening (81) diameter to allow access to the screw head (76). In this form of embodiment, the screw head (76) supports the forces transmitted by the upper plate (80), and therefore works in compression.

In all of the forms illustrated, provision may be made for a seal between the upper and lower plates to prevent snow from enters between the plates. You can also fill the space with foam easily compressible to prevent any introduction of snow.

Of course, it is understood that when the two screws enter their thread corresponding to a different level, it follows a slight transverse orientation of the upper plate, particularly suitable when the user adjusts the "canting" of the binding.

In an embodiment not shown, the shim may include also a transverse plate, bearing on the two screws so as to distribute the forces exerted on them evenly.

Third way of carrying out the invention

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, in which the bottom plate comprises an opening (92) inside which can pass a moving part (93). More specifically, the underside (94) of the bottom plate (90) comprises around the opening (92) a notched reserve (95) transversely. The opening (92) receives the moving part (93) composed of a base (96) and a stud (97) disposed substantially in its center. The upper side of the base (96) is notched in the same way as the reserve (95) opposite which she is. In this way, the moving part (93) can move longitudinally so that the stud (97) adopts an indexed position inside the opening (92). The upper part (98) of the stud comes into contact with the lower face of the plate upper and therefore receives the forces transmitted by this upper plate (100). In depending on the position of the moving part (93) inside the reserve (95) and the opening (92), the stud (97) bears on a different longitudinal level under the upper plate (100). The upper plate (100) is secured to the plate lower (90) by any mechanical attachment means.

It follows that the inclination of the latter (100) varies according to the position of the moving part (93) as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Maintaining the moving part (93) in position is provided by the notching of the upper face of its base (96) and the reserve (95). This notching can even use forms engaging ensuring a slight click. The front ends (101, 102) of the lower plate (90) and upper plate (100) can be connected by a pad of compressible foam (103) providing support on the one hand and on the other hand, the tightness of the assembly. Of course, the moving part (93) may not have only one stud, located at the median level of the characteristic element, or still have several studs distributed over the width of the wedge, to ensure a better distribution of efforts.

The longitudinal adjustment of the shim is obtained as in the variants illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 by changing the position of the plate lower (90) relative to the base (71).

• la possibilité de régler l'orientation de sa face supérieure par rapport à la face supérieure de la planche, ce qui permet de s'adapter à différentes courbures de chaussures ;
• la possibilité de régler une inclinaison transversale de cette face supérieure de la cale ;
• une excellente étanchéité ;
• une répartition des efforts réduisant les risques de casse mécanique ;
• la possibilité de régler la position longitudinale de la face supérieure de la cale pour s'adapter à différentes tailles et longueurs de chaussures.

It appears from the above that the wedge element according to the invention, called "gas pedal" has many advantages and in particular:

• the possibility of adjusting the orientation of its upper face relative to the upper face of the board, which makes it possible to adapt to different shoe curvatures;
• the possibility of adjusting a transverse inclination of this upper face of the wedge;
• excellent sealing;
• a distribution of forces reducing the risk of mechanical breakage;
• the possibility of adjusting the longitudinal position of the upper face of the wedge to adapt to different sizes and lengths of shoes.

Claims (20)

Inclined wedge element, intended to be secured to the front or rear end of the base of a surfboard binding, or directly to the upper face (5) of the surfboard, said element having an upper face (9 ) intended to receive the supports from the front or rear end of the sole of the shoe, and comprising means for adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the inclined wedge and the upper face of the surfboard, characterized in that it also comprises means (30, 31) capable of adjusting the longitudinal position of the upper face (9) of the wedge, relative to the base of the binding. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises means (40, 41) capable of adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a transverse plane, between the upper face (9) of the wedge and the face upper of the board, so as to adapt to a position of the shoe inclined transversely. Element according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower plate (6) secured by its lower face to the base of the binding or to the gliding board, an upper plate (8), the upper face (9) of which is intended to receive the supports of the boot, said upper plate (8) being articulated with respect to the lower plate (6), means capable of adjusting the relative inclination and the relative longitudinal position of the two lower and upper plates relative to one another. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the means capable of adjusting the inclination of the two plates comprise at least one screw (40, 41) cooperating with the two lower (6) and upper (8) plates. Element according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower plate has a thread (64) receiving the screw (75), and in that the upper plate (80) rests on the head (76) of the screw so that this last works in compression. Element according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper plate (80) has a housing (78) capable of receiving the head (76) of the screw, and in that said housing has an opening (81) opening onto the face upper of said plate (80) to allow access to said screw head. Element according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower plate (60) comprises a thread (64) receiving the screw (65), in that the head (66) of the screw bears on the upper plate (62) of so that the screwing of the screw causes a decrease in the inclination of the upper plate (62) relative to the lower plate (60), and in that it comprises return means (70) opposing said decrease in inclination. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper plate has a vertical flap (61) oriented in the direction of the lower plate, capable of closing the opening between the two plates to limit the introduction of snow. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the means capable of adjusting the inclination consist of a movable part (93), whose position is indexed relative to the lower plate (90), and whose upper zone ( 98) comes into contact with the underside of the upper plate (100) to determine the inclination relative to the lower plate. Element according to claim 9, characterized in that the moving part comprises: a notched base (96) intended to cooperate with the notched face (95) of the lower plate (90) with which it comes into contact; at least one stud (97) mounted on said base (96) and the upper face (98) of which forms the zone coming into contact with the upper plate (100). Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower plate is fixed to the base of the fixing, with capacity for longitudinal adjustment relative to the latter. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower plate forms an integral part of the base, of which it constitutes a forward extension. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the space between the two plates is filled with compressible foam, so as to prevent the introduction of snow. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the articulation of the two lower (6) and upper (8) plates is produced by a connecting member (20) capable of pressing the two plates against each other, the upper plate (8) having a curve at the level of the zone of cooperation with said connecting member (20) so as to allow the variation of inclination of the plates between them. Element according to claim 14, characterized in that the contact zones of the lower and upper plates have complementary notches (30, 31) capable of ensuring a blocking in the longitudinal position of the two plates (6, 8) one relative to the other. Element according to claim 14, characterized in that the lower plate (6) has a longitudinal groove (29) in which a part of the connecting member (20) can move to ensure the longitudinal adjustment of the upper plate relative to to the lower plate (6). Element according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises two adjustment screws (40, 41) located on either side of the longitudinal median plane of the element. Element according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a transverse blade cooperating with the two screws so as to distribute the forces exerted by the upper plate on said two adjustment screws. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a seal interposed between the lower and upper plates. Element according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a plastic layer (50) capable of camouflaging the screw heads.

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