EP1155716A1 - Device to raise at least a ski binding used on a sliding board - Google Patents

Abstract

The fixation (5) is mounted on an curved element, which has one end fixed on the board by the pins (33) and the other end hinged (26) to the same board. In the cavity formed under the element (22), there is an absorbing material (21), which absorbs some movements. The efforts applied by the user are transmitted via the shoe fixation to the element (22) which then transmit it almost entirely to the ski board at the point of fixation (33). The effort is applied in front of the fixation.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports. She relates more particularly to the devices used on skis and in particular on alpine skis. It more specifically targets devices for raising the bindings to optimize the transmission of support exerted by the skier in direction of the board.

Previous techniques

As is known, boards and in particular alpine skis have safety fasteners made up of a stop cooperating with the toe, and a heel trapping the back of the shoe.

It is well known to mount fasteners on lifting platforms. raising the objective of which is to raise the shoe relative to the board sliding. This is particularly advantageous when the gliding board has a relatively deep dimension line and it is therefore necessary to avoid the shoe does not come into contact with snow when the board is tilted laterally.

Other enhancement platforms have already been proposed to ensure some unlocking of the ski. In this type of platforms, we dissociate the rigidity of the sole of the shoe and that of the board, so that the behavior of the ski corresponds to the intrinsic properties of the board regardless of that of the shoe.

Other types of lifting platforms have also been proposed which, on the contrary, play the role of stiffener so as to further increase the rigidity and the stiffness of the board, especially in the skate area. Such an example of platform is notably described in document FR 2 684 885 in which the different elements mounted on the platform interact with each other when effort is exerted vertically by the skier.

Another example of this type of platform is described in the document US-A-5,704,628. Such a platform includes an arm which makes it possible to transmit a certain part of the efforts exerted longitudinally by the skier up to a advanced zone located beyond the stop. The arm is connected to a recovery piece integral with the board so that a longitudinal force is exerted on the ski between the stop and the recovery part to cause stiffening. Unfortunately, this kind of device does not allow, because of the articulation of the arm of transmission of forces, to exert vertical forces further forward or further rear of the fastening elements.

Another type of platform has also been proposed such as that described in document FR 2 777 792. Such a platform is composed of a plate of raising on which the elements of the fixing are arranged. This plate of heightening rests on flexible slats which extend in front and the back of the mounting area of the binding, and rest on the face upper of the ski by means of shock absorbing pads.

Due to the flexibility of the longitudinal blades, such a device does not allow transmit sufficiently effective support, especially when the skier exerts forces on one of the elements of the binding. In addition, the presence of elastomeric studs tends to dampen the behavior of the entire board, so that such devices are rather intended for relatively skis comfortable, in contrast, very dynamic skis used in particular in competition.

A problem which the invention therefore proposes to solve is to allow a raising platform to change the behavior of the plank of slips when the efforts are exerted by the skier, while not increasing its stiffness in bending and therefore allowing its bending.

Statement of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a device for raising at least one fastening element used on a gliding board, comprising an element articulated with respect to the board, one end of which comes into contact with the face top of the board.

This device is characterized in that the fixing element is mounted on the articulated element and in that said end of the articulated element is secured to the upper face of the board by hooking means, so that the forces exerted vertically at the level of the fixing element are partly transmitted to the board at the level of said end of the articulated element.

In other words, the articulated element acts as a lever and directly receives the supports vertical exercised by the skier. By its end which is integral with the ski, this lever exerts, part of these efforts in an area offset from the binding. These efforts can be carried forward of the fixing stop or behind the heel piece. In addition, the raising device conforms to the invention does not disturb the behavior of the board when it is hanger, since the articulation of the articulated element allows the whole platform deform when the board bends.

Advantageously, in practice, the articulated element on which is mounted the element of the fixing can be articulated either directly on the structure of the plank, or again with respect to a fixed element secured to the upper face of the board.

In the latter case, provision can be made for the fixed element also to receive the fastening element which is not mounted on the articulated element, so that the entire fixing is mounted on the same raising device.

Different behaviors can be obtained depending on the position of the point articulation with respect to the element of the fixing.

Thus, in a first embodiment, the articulated element can be articulated with respect to the board at its end opposite to that integral with the upper face of the board, so that the forces exerted on the level of the fixing element generate on the upper face of the board a similar effort.

In other words, the element of the fixation is then between the articulation by relative to the board and the end of the articulated element which rests on the board.

In this way, when the skier initiates a turn and exerts efforts at the level of the stop before fixing, part of these forces are exerted via the device according to the invention a few centimeters, even a few tens centimeters in front of the stop. In these conditions, the supports are exerted on a longer area of the skate, which allows effective registration in the cornering, and better control. This type of behavior is particularly appreciated in competitions of the “giant slaloms” type, in which the registration in the turn is particularly essential.

Conversely, in a second embodiment, the articulated element can be articulated with respect to the board at a level located between the location of the element of the fixing and the end secured to the upper face of the board, so that the forces exerted on the element of the binding generate on the upper face of the board an effort in the opposite direction. In other words, the articulation of the articulated element is located between the element of the fixing and the point of attachment of the articulated element on the ski.

In this way, when the skier initiates a turn, and exerts efforts at the level of the fixing stop, part of these forces are exerted via the device according to the invention in front of the stop, and they tend to rise very slightly the board by its front part or at least to shorten the area application of the pressure exerted by the ski on the snow. In this way, the supports exercised by the skier tend to slightly bend the ski which then behaves like a shorter board.

It is therefore easier and faster to chain then the next turn.

We can therefore see that this type of behavior is particularly appreciated. as part of "special" slaloms, in which the sequence of turns is particularly important.

Advantageously, in practice, the articulated element may include a groove transverse located on its upper face and located between the location of the element of the fixing and the end secured to the upper face of the board, said groove being filled with an elastic material, so as to allow bending of said articulated element when the board bends, and its rapid return to position when the cause of the sag has disappeared.

In other words, this groove allows an additional deformation of the raising device in addition to the articulation capacity.

In addition, the presence of an elastic material energizes the device. raising and therefore the entire board by opposing the bending too important of the articulated element. Using elastic materials comprising also damping properties, such as viscoelastic materials, it is also possible to absorb some of the energy that led to the deformation of the articulated element, thanks to the shearing of the viscoelastic material. In this case, it is in particular possible to absorb a certain part of the vibrations. spreading along the board.

Advantageously, in practice, the means for hooking the end of the articulated element on the upper face of the board, allow movement longitudinal of said articulated element when the ski is strongly bent.

In other words, when the board is strongly bent, the end of the area support may slide slightly in relation to the upper face of the board to prevent longitudinal forces being exerted on the board. Indeed, the hooking means have the essential function of ensuring an offset of a part vertical forces exerted by the skier and must not secure the device of raising by two ends at the risk of causing a clamping of the board.

Advantageously, in practice, this longitudinal displacement capacity of the end of the articulated element can be obtained by interposing a layer of viscoelastic material between the upper face of the board and the end of the articulated element.

In this case, the layer of viscoelastic material effectively transmits the forces exerted vertically, and works in shear when the articulated element tends to move longitudinally.

In practice, the underside of the articulated element is shaped to release an empty space between the articulated element and the upper face of the board, between the integral end of the board and the point of articulation of the articulated element.

In other words, only the end of the articulated element comes into contact with the board so as not to risk clamping the latter, and to push back as far fixing the area in which the forces are offset.

In a more improved form, the device according to the invention can further include a second element articulated relative to the board, on which is mounted the other element of the fixing, and one end of which is integral with the upper face of the board by hooking means.

In this way, we obtain similar behaviors when the efforts are exercised at the front or rear level of the binding.

In this case, advantageously, in practice, the two articulated elements can be articulated with respect to the board around an axis of articulation common.

As already said, this articulation can be done either directly on the board, or on a fixed element secured to the board.

In a particular embodiment, the two articulated elements may be mechanically integral with each other, so as to form a rocking.

In this case, when the forces are exerted for example at the front of the binding, the front of the board as well of the forces exerted downwards lengthening the zone on which the supports are exerted, while the rear zone is relieved and slightly curved.

Advantageously, in practice, the articulated element can have on its face lower, in line with the location of the fixing element, means elastic bands.

These means may consist of a compressible foam which has the added benefit of filling part of the volume below the element hinged to prevent snow from forming. These means can also be visco-elastic to provide more comfort to the skier.

In a particular embodiment, the articulated element may include two arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the board, these arms being connected to the level of the attachment means on the board.

In this way, we favor the transmission of forces near the lateral areas of the board, substantially in line with the edges.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un dispositif de rehaussement conforme à l'invention réalisé selon une première variante d'exécution.

La figure 2 est une vue de côté de la plateforme de la figure 1.

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

La figure 4 est une vue de côté d'une plateforme conforme à l'invention, articulée directement sur le ski.

Les figures 5, 6 et 7 sont des vues de côté de trois variantes d'exécution de dispositifs conformes à l'invention.

La figure 8 est une vue en perspective sommaire de trois quarts d'une autre variante d'exécution.

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

Figure 1 is a top view of a raising device according to the invention produced according to a first alternative embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side view of the platform of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along arrows III-III 'of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of a platform according to the invention, articulated directly on the ski.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are side views of three alternative embodiments of devices according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a summary perspective view of three quarters of another alternative embodiment.

Way of realizing the invention

As already said, the invention relates to a raising device intended for receive at least one of the elements of a safety attachment. In the rest of the description, all the devices illustrated receive the stop before fixing, and possibly the rear heel. Obviously, the invention is not limited to these embodiments alone, but it also covers the variants in which the heel piece alone is mounted on the raising device.

In the variant illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the raising device (1) consists of a fixed element (2) (or platform) secured to the board (3) at level of the skate area, and of an articulated element (4) which receives the stop (5) of the fixation. This articulated element (4) comes to bear on the upper face (6) of the board (3).

More specifically, the fixed element (2) illustrated in Figure 1, is secured to the upper face (6) of the board (3) by a plurality of screws (8, 9) which are received in the openings (10, 11) provided for this purpose, substantially at the median level and at the rear of the fixed element (2). The openings (10) located at the middle level have a diameter substantially equal to that of the screws (8), while the rear openings (11) are elongated in the longitudinal direction to allow a slight sliding of the rear of the platform (2) when the board bends strongly at the level of the skate.

This prevents excessive clamping of the board by the fixed element (2). The different lights (10, 11) receiving the fastening screws to the board have a shoulder (16, 17) allowing the effective and firm plating of the platform (2) on the board.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the fixed element (2) has at its median level an obviously (15) intended to lighten this element and to make it more flexible by bending.

At the rear of the fixed element (2), threaded holes (14) are provided for allow the fitting of the heel piece of the binding.

At its front area, the fixed element (2) has a housing (20) intended to receive the rear part (22) of the articulated element (4). Housing (20) has side walls (23) facing the sides of the rear part of the articulated element (4), making it possible to avoid any introduction of snow which could disturb the operation of the device.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing (20) can receive a plate (21) of visco-elastic material intended to absorb certain movements of the articulated element (4).

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the articulated element (4) receives the stop front (5) of the fixing on its upper face. This stop (5) is secured by screwing or by any other appropriate means. Behind the location of the stop (5), the articulated element (4) can receive an optional device (24) making it possible to facilitate the pivoting of the shoe in the lateral direction.

The rear part (22) of the articulated element (4) has a width ℓ less to that of the fixed element (2), which is close to half of the latter. The rear end of the rear part (22) of the articulated element (4) has a transverse housing (26) opening on either side, which is crossed by an axis articulation (27) whose ends (29) are housed in openings in the fixed element (2). At least one of these openings opens laterally from the fixed element (2) to allow the establishment of the hinge pin (27).

The front part (28) of the articulated element (4) extends over twenty centimeters beyond the median level of the stop (5) of the binding. This element articulated (4) comes into contact with the upper face (6) of the board only at level of its end (30). As seen in Figure 3, this end (30) has a through opening (31) for receiving the means hooking on the board. This opening is slightly elongated in the direction longitudinal to allow relative sliding of the articulated element (4) by relative to the upper face (6) of the board. This opening also presents a shoulder cooperating with the corresponding shoulder (32) of the fixing screw (33). In this way, the front end (30) of the articulated element (4) is permanently in contact with the upper face (6) of the board, and cannot be detached from it.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 1, the front part (28) of the articulated element (4) has two recesses (34, 35) allowing two lateral arms to be defined (36, 37) joining at the central level (39) as well as at the level of the zone hooking (30) on the upper face (6) of the board. In this way, the supports exerted at the level of the stop (5) are preferentially transmitted on the sides sides of the board, directly above the edges.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 8, the articulated element (44) can have a particular curve, in which there are two arms (46, 47) extending from plumb with the element (45) of the fastener up to the vicinity of the attachment zone (40) on the board.

To return to FIG. 3, in a particular form the articulated element can also include a transverse groove (50) extending from one side to the other of the articulated element (4). This transverse groove (50) is intended to impart a certain bending capacity at the articulated element (4), which is particularly advantageous, to limit the clamping of the board when the latter is strongly bent. In this case, the articulated element (4) deforms slightly at the level of the groove transverse (50) without generating efforts at the front end (30) of the articulated element (4).

Advantageously, this groove (50) can be filled with an elastic material (51) or viscoelastic such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic or similar materials, which accelerates the return to the position of rest of the articulated element.

In operation, when the skier exerts vertical forces at the level of the stop (5) of the fixing, especially in the triggering phases of bend, the front part (28) of the articulated element (4) transmits part of these forces up to the level of the attachment zone (30). The vertical efforts are therefore exerted clearly in front of the stop (5) of the fixing. So, thanks to the invention, the area over which the vertical forces are exerted extends more longer than in the devices of the prior art.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 4, the articulated element is articulated directly on the board. The gliding board therefore has a boss (61) at the level of the pad area. The rear (65) of the articulated element (64) comes to cap laterally this boss (61). The side tabs (66) of the element articulated (64) are drilled to receive the hinge pin (67) which passes through the boss (61) on the upper face of the board. How the device works of enhancement is identical to that of the shape illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 5 illustrates another alternative embodiment in which the element fixed (72) extends at the front, beyond the level of the stop (5) of the binding. The articulated element (74) has an articulation zone (75) relative to the element fixed, which is located in front of the stop (5) of the fixing. Different means of articulation can be employed, and in particular that illustrated in figure 5. In in this case, the articulated element (74) and the fixed element (72) have opposite zones crossed right through by a hinge pin (76). The same way as for the shapes illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the front end (70) of the element articulated (74) is integral with the upper face (6) of the board.

In operation, the device of FIG. 5 differs from that of the figures previous. Indeed, when an effort is exerted vertically by the skier at level of the stop (5) of the fixing, the articulated element (74) pivots around the axis articulation (76) which is located in front of the stop (5). It follows that the part front (78) of the articulated element (74) tends to lift. Thanks to the joining of the articulated element (74) on the upper face (6) of the board, the latter undergoes an upwardly directed effort which tends to bend it. he It follows therefore that the pressure distribution over the snow is concentrated at the level of the fixing stop, which facilitates pivoting, and is therefore particularly appreciated for the practice of the special slalom.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the device for raising comprises an articulated element (84) supporting the stop (5) from the front of the binding, and a second rear articulated element (81) supporting the heel piece (7) fixing. The structure of the rear articulated element (81) is similar to that of the front articulated element (84), and its operation is similar. So when efforts are exerted vertically at the heel (7) of the binding, the rear articulated element (81) shifts some of these efforts further back than the heel piece (7). The behavior of the back of the ski therefore corresponds to that of a ski longer, which allows better cornering in the cornering phase.

As already said, the two articulated elements can possibly share a common axis of articulation.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 7, the two articulated elements, namely the front articulated element (94) and the rear articulated element (91) have an axis joint (96) and are further mechanically connected to be together and form a seesaw. So, in operation, when that efforts are exerted vertically at the front stop (5), part of these forces is exerted in the same direction at the front end (90) of the element articulated front (94), while the rear articulated element (91) tends to raise. The rear part of the ski therefore has a slight tendency to bend, while less to see the pressure distribution shifted forward. This behavior is particularly useful in the turn initiation phase.

Conversely, when the forces are exerted at the heel (7) of the fixing, the pressure distribution is greatly reduced at the front, and concentrated at the rear level of the board.

• un déport d'une partie des efforts exercés au niveau des éléments de la fixation ;
• une meilleure inscription dans le virage ou une augmentation de la capacité de pivotement selon la position de l'axe d'articulation de l'élément articulé par rapport à l'élément de fixation correspondant ;
• une capacité de flexion du dispositif de rehaussement limitant le bridage lorsque la planche est fortement cintrée.

It emerges from the above that the enhancement device according to the invention provides multiple advantages and in particular:

• an offset of part of the forces exerted on the elements of the binding;
• better registration in the turn or an increase in the pivoting capacity depending on the position of the articulation axis of the articulated element relative to the corresponding fixing element;
• a bending capacity of the raising device limiting the clamping when the board is strongly bent.

Claims (13)

Device for raising (1) at least one element (5) of a binding used on a gliding board (3), comprising an articulated element (4) relative to the board, and one end of which (30) comes in contact with the upper face (6) of the board;
characterized in that the element of the fixing (5) is mounted on the articulated element (4), and in that said end (30) of the articulated element (4) is secured to the upper face (6) of the board by hooking means (33), so that the forces exerted vertically at the level of the fixing element (5) are partly transmitted to the board (3) at the level of said end (30) of the articulated element (4). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element (4) is articulated relative to the board at its opposite end (22) to that (30) integral with the upper face (6) of the board, so that the forces exerted at the level of the fastening element generate a force of the same direction on the upper face of the board. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element (74) is articulated with respect to the board at a level (75) situated between the location of the element (5) of the fixing and the integral end (70) of the upper face (6) of the board, so that the forces exerted on the element of the binding generate a force of opposite direction on the upper face of the board. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element (64) is articulated directly on the board. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element (4) is articulated with respect to a fixed element (2) integral with the upper face (6) of the board. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed element (2) also receives the fixing element (7) which is not mounted on the articulated element (4). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element (4) has a transverse groove (50) located on its upper face and located between the location of the element (5) of the fixing and the integral end (30) of the upper face (6) of the board, said groove (50) being filled with an elastic material (51), so as to allow the flexing of said articulated element (4) when the board bends, and its return fast in position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hooking means (31-33) of the end (30) of the articulated element (4) on the upper face (6) of the board allow a longitudinal displacement of said articulated element (4) when the board is strongly bent. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face of the articulated element is shaped to release an empty space between the articulated element (4) and the upper face (6) of the board, between the integral end ( 30) of the board and the point of articulation (27) of the articulated element. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a second articulated element (81), articulated with respect to the fixed element (82), on which the other element (7) of the fixing is mounted and one end (85) of which is secured to the upper face (6) of the board by hooking means. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the two articulated elements are articulated relative to the board around a common axis of articulation. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the two articulated elements (94, 91) are mechanically integral with one another, so as to form a rocker. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated element comprises on its lower face, perpendicular to the location of the fixing element, elastic return means.

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