EP1129747B1 - 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 fixing or surfboard, to fill the empty space between the sole and the binding or the board. Such interface elements are commonly called in the field of snowboarding by the English expression "gas pedal".

Previous techniques

As we know, surfing is practiced either with rigid shoes resembling alpine ski boots, either with soft shoes cooperating with fasteners having original elements, in particular a rear gutter for providing support to the soft shoe. The invention relates more specifically to this family of soft shoes and bindings adapted. Such shoes are indeed used for their quality of comfort allowing the user to walk unhindered when he took off his board.

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

So we design at the front and / or rear ends of the shoe, when the latter is put in place on the fixation, there is a certain volume unoccupied between the underside of the sole of the shoe and the upper face of the base of the binding, or even the gliding board proper in function of the architecture of the fixation used. This material-free volume does not therefore not allow the user to transmit the efforts at the ends before and / or behind the foot, which is known to be one of the main transmission of support.

It should be noted that this problem of the effective transmission of the supports arises more importantly at the front end of the shoe, since the supports at the rear end of the shoe are ensured preponderant by the rear gutter of the fixation. Nevertheless, the lack of support effective at the back of the heel of the shoe causes inaccuracies at the level of sensations received and therefore the conduct of surfing.

To solve this problem, solutions have already been proposed.

In the document US Pat. No. 5,503,900, a fastener whose base has additional elements at the front and back 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, efforts exerted near the tip of the shoe are transmitted in the direction of the base via this wedge element. The game between the sole of the shoe and the upper face of the base is removed, which allows a transmission of efforts from the first movements of the tip of the foot. The major disadvantage of these wedge elements is that they can not adapt to different sizes of shoes, and that it is therefore necessary to reposition them whenever the user changes shoes.

Furthermore, it has been proposed in WO 98/42419 to render the holds adjustable in longitudinal and transversal positions to adapt to different sole configurations. However, the element having a shape determined, it can not match all the sole shapes of market shoes. Such a solution therefore has the major disadvantage that function of different curvatures of the sole of the shoe, it can appear a certain clearance between the sole and the wedge element. This game produces the effects harmful effects mentioned above.

It has been proposed in WO 00/30722 to equip the base with a Surf binding with an articulated wedge. More specifically, this wedge comprises two side tabs that 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 does not take into account that the differences in curvature of the front of the shoe generally correspond to sizes different and therefore at different shoe lengths.

One of the problems that the invention proposes to solve is that of optimizing the contact between the wedge member and the sole of the shoe, to get the best possible transmission of effort, and whatever the size of the shoe and its geometry.

Presentation 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 surf binding, or directly to the upper face of the surfboard. This element has an upper face intended to receive the supports of the front or rear end of the sole of the shoe.

This inclined wedge element comprises means for adjusting the angle inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the hold 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 also comprises means capable of adjusting the longitudinal position of the face upper wedge relative to the base of the binding.

In other words, the characteristic element has a variable geometry that 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 his news shoes is more raised at the front end or longer, he simply change the inclination of the upper face of the hold, and the position of the latter so that its supports are just as effectively transmitted only with the old setting.

The characteristic element may also comprise means able to regulate 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 transversely inclined shoe. In this way, it is possible to optimize the position of the foot by a transverse inclination or "canting", while maintaining good transmission of the supports 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 spacer 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 adapted to adjust both the inclination and the relative longitudinal position of the two lower and upper plates relative to each other.

In some special cases, the lower plate may be an integral part of the base of which it then constitutes an extension to the front. In other case, the element is totally different from the base and comes to be put in place on this one, or even on the board, at the front end of the base.

In the case where the lower plate is fixed on the base, provision can 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 of execution, the lower plate has a tapping 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 enters the inside of the tapping and the upper plate is closer to 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 of screw. This prevents the elements from growing in relation to the upper face of the hold.

According to another variant embodiment, the lower plate comprises a tapping receiving the screw, and this is the head of the screw that bears on the plate superior, so that the screwing of the screw causes a reconciliation of the upper plate relative to the lower plate, recall means being prepared to oppose this rapprochement. These recall means are stiff enough in compression to prevent tipping of the shoe when efforts are made.

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 variant embodiment, the means capable of adjusting the inclination may consist of a moving part whose position is indexed relative to to the lower plate, whose upper zone comes into contact with the lower face the top plate to determine the inclination with respect 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 comprise:

• a toothed 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 whose upper face forms the zone coming into contact with the upper plate.

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

Advantageously in practice, the contact zones of the lower plates and superior have additional notches able to ensure a locking in longitudinal position of the two plates relative to each other. In this way, we eliminates the risk of the top plate moving away from the plate less when undergoing stress.

Advantageously in practice, the lower plate has a throat longitudinal axis in which a part of the connecting member can move for ensure the longitudinal adjustment of the top plate with respect to the plate lower, blocking in position being provided by the aforementioned notched zones.

Advantageously in practice, the wedge may comprise two adjusting screws located on both sides of the median longitudinal plane of the element so as to ensure a distribution of efforts limiting the risks of breaking the woes of mechanical.

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

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

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 from the description of the various embodiments which follow, in support of the appended figures, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are top views of a base of a surf 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 '.

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

Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 3 when the geometry of the shim has been changed.

Figures 6 to 9 are sectional views of different embodiments.

Way of realizing the invention

As already mentioned, the invention relates to a wedge element intended to be put in place at the front and / or back of a surfboard, to fill the volume between the upper face of the board and the underside of the sole, when it is curved upward. Several architectures can be used, respecting the same principle in which the upper face of the hold can be adjusted in inclination.

First way to realize the invention

FIGS. 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 an opening in its center (2) for accommodating the adjusting disc in orientation of the fastener. The part chamfered (3) serves in fact indexing the disk not shown.

The front part (4) of the base rests directly on the upper face (5) of the board. This front portion (4) of the base forms in its extreme part to the front a lower plate (6) above which is made a recess (7) allowing the installation of the upper plate (8), so that the upper face (9) of this upper plate (8) is in the continuity of the face upper (10) of the central part of the base. The upper plate (8) is limited at the front and back by arcuate edges. The rear edge (12) is substantially centered on the center (13) of the fastener, while the front edge (11) marries the shape of the foot and is therefore slightly more forward of the inner side (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 to shoulder (22) has its zone (25) of larger diameter which is housed at inside a groove (26) provided for this purpose under the lower face (27) of the base corresponding to the lower plate of the hold. The part of lesser diameter (28) of the shoulder nut (22) can move in an opening longitudinal section (29) formed inside the lower plate (6). In this way, the connecting member (20) and thus the upper plate (8) can move longitudinally between the two positions illustrated in Figures la and 1b.

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

According to a feature of the invention, the upper plate (8) has an orientation capability with respect to the lower plate (6) for adapt to different geometries of shoes. This orientation is obtained by pivoting the upper plate (8) relative to the lower plate (6) or the end of the base, around the connecting member (20). This is why, parts (33, 34) of the lower face of the upper plate (8) situated in front and back of the connecting member (20) are not coplanar, but present at the contrary a slight inclination, so that when the upper plate (8) pivots around the connecting member (20), the portion (33) of the upper plate (8) located at the rear of the connecting member (20) can be closer to the face upper part (37) of the lower plate (6) corresponding to the limit of recess (7).

Maintaining 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 downward, and which happens when the top 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 side, two threads (46) inside which can be screwed a threaded rod (47) whose lower zone comprises a washer (48) intended to come into contact with the upper face (5) of the board. The upper part of the threaded rod (47) is accessible through 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) of plastics material. When the user makes 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 top of the board, it follows that by reaction the upper plate (8) is raises. The result is illustrated in Figure 5 in which it is observed that the plate upper is slightly shifted 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 to realize the invention

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the lower plate (60) extends to near the flap (61) of the top plate (62). In his extremity, the lower plate (60) has a zone (63) including a thread (64) into which a screw (65) penetrates, the head (66) of which passes through the plate upper (62) at a housing (67) provided for this purpose. The head (66) of the screw (65) may be accompanied by a washer (68) for ensuring good distribution of the 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. Reminder means, such as an elastic foam pad (70), or springs (not shown) oppose the movement of the upper plate (62) downwards.

The longitudinal adjustment of the hold is obtained by changing the position of the lower plate (60) relative to the base (71). For this purpose, the base (71) and the rear portion (72) of the bottom plate (60) has a lap region. The rear portion (72) of the upper plate has a longitudinal lumen (73) traversed by a screw (74) screwed into the front end of the base.

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

In all the illustrated forms, it is possible to provide a seal between the upper and lower plates to prevent snow from is introduced between the plates. We can also fill the space with a foam easily compressible to prevent any introduction of snow.

Of course, it is conceivable that when the two screws penetrate into their threads corresponding to a different level, it follows a slight transverse orientation the top plate, particularly suitable when the user sets the "canting" of fixation.

In an embodiment not shown, the wedge may comprise also a transverse plate, bearing on the two screws so as to distribute the efforts exerted on them in a homogeneous way.

Third way of realizing the invention

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, in which the lower plate comprises an opening (92) within which can pass a moving part (93). More specifically, the lower face (94) of the lower plate (90) has around the opening (92) a reserve (95) notched transversely. The opening (92) receives the moving part (93) composed of a base (96) and a stud (97) disposed substantially at its center. The upper face of the base (96) is notched in the same manner as the reserve (95) opposite which she is. In this way, the moving part (93) can move longitudinally for the stud (97) to adopt an indexed position within 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 the upper plate (100). In function of the position of the moving part (93) inside the reserve (95) and the opening (92), the stud (97) is supported at 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. The maintenance of the moving part (93) in position is ensured by the notching of the upper face of its base (96) and the reserve (95). This notching can even use shapes engaging to ensure a slight snap. The leading ends (101, 102) of the plate (90) and the top plate (100) can be connected by a compressible foam pad (103) providing on the one hand a support forwards and on the other hand, the tightness of the whole. Of course, the moving part (93) can not have only one stud located at the median level of the characteristic element, or still have several studs spread over the width of the hold, to ensure a better distribution of efforts.

The longitudinal adjustment of the wedge 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 follows from the above that the wedge member according to the invention, called "gas pedal" has multiple advantages including:

• the possibility of adjusting the orientation of its upper face relative to the upper face of the board, which allows to adapt to different shoe curvatures;
• the possibility of adjusting a transverse inclination of this upper face of the hold;
• excellent sealing;
• a distribution of efforts reducing the risks 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)

1. 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 the snowboard, said element having an upper face (9) intended to receive the bearing forces of the front or rear end of the sole of the boot, and comprising means of adjusting the angle of inclination, measured in a longitudinal plane, between the upper face of the inclined wedge and the upper face of the snowboard, characterized in that it also comprises means (30, 31) capable of adjusting the longitudinal position of the upper face (9) of the wedge in relation to the base plate of the binding.
2. Element as claimed in 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 upper face of the board so as to be adapted to a transversely inclined position of the boot.
3. Element as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises:

   a lower plate (6) integrated by its lower face with the base plate of the binding or with the snowboard,

   an upper plate (8), the upper face (9) of which is intended to receive the bearing forces of the boot, said upper plate (8) being articulated in relation to the lower plate (6),

   means capable of adjusting the relative inclination and the relative longitudinal position of the two plates, lower and upper, in relation to one another.
4. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the means capable of adjusting the inclination of the two plates comprise at least one screw (40, 41) interacting with the two plates, lower (6) and upper (8).
5. Element as claimed in 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 the latter works under compression.
6. Element as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the upper plate (80) has a recess (78) capable of receiving the head (76) of the screw, and in that said recess has an aperture (81) opening on the upper face of said plate (80) in order to allow access to said screw head.
7. Element as claimed in 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), so that the screwing-in of the screw causes a reduction of the inclination of the upper plate (62) in relation to the lower plate (60), and in that it comprises return means (70) which oppose said reduction in inclination.
8. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the upper plate has a vertical flap (61) oriented in the direction of the lower plate and capable of closing the aperture between the two plates in order to limit the ingress of snow.
9. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the means capable of adjusting the inclination consist of a movable piece (93), the position of which is set in relation to the lower plate (90) and the upper zone (98) of which comes into contact with the lower face of the upper plate (100) in order to bring about the inclination thereof in relation to the lower plate.
10. Element as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the movable piece comprises:

    a serrated base (96) intended to interact with the serrated face (95) of the lower plate (90) with which it comes into contact;

    at least one stud (97) which is mounted on said base (96) and the upper face (98) of which forms the zone which comes into contact with the upper plate (100).
11. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the lower plate is fixed to the base plate of the binding, with a capacity for longitudinal adjustment in relation to the latter.
12. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the lower plate forms an integral part of the base plate, of which it constitutes an extension toward the front.
13. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the space comprised between the two plates is filled with a compressible foam so as to prevent the ingress of snow.
14. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the articulation of the two plates, lower (6) and upper (8), is brought about by a connection member (20) capable of laying the two plates flat one against the other, the upper plate (8) having a curve in the region of the zone of interaction with said connection member (20) so as to allow the inclination of the plates in relation to one another to be varied.
15. Element as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the zones of contact of the lower and upper plates have complementary serrations (30, 31) capable of bringing about locking in the longitudinal position of the two plates (6, 8) in relation to one another.
16. Element as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the lower plate (6) has a longitudinal throat (29), in which a portion of the connection member (20) can be displaced in order to bring about the longitudinal adjustment of the upper plate in relation to the lower plate (6).
17. Element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises two adjustment screws (40, 41) situated on either side of the longitudinal median plane of the element.
18. Element as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a transverse strip interacting with the two screws so as to distribute over said two adjustment screws the forces exerted by the upper plate.
19. Element as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a seal interposed between the lower and upper plates.
20. Element as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a layer of plastic material (50) capable of hiding the screw heads.

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