EP1234604B1 - Interface for a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The heightening platform (1) to be installed on a surfboard (4) has a free end (6) with a longitudinal sliding capability relative to the board. A stop (20) is fixed to the board to form a fixed point. A movable part (40) can be moved within the platform free end by the user. This movable part can take up a locked position where it has a portion abutting against the fixed stop so as to prevent movement of the platform end, and a free position where it can slide freely relative to the stop and allow longitudinal sliding of the platform.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports. She aims more particularly a device mounted on a board, which is arranged to allow the adaptation of the stiffness of the board according to the wish of the user. In the rest of the description, the invention is more specifically described in her job on an alpine ski, but she could also find a application on snowboards.

Previous techniques

In a known manner, alpine skis can be equipped with stiffening, and / or platforms for raising the fastening. A device stiffener is generally made of a rigid plate anchored to the board at least two distant points, so that its own rigidity adds to that of the board. Such devices as those described in documents FR 2 534 480 and EP 0 183 586 must be determined according to the properties intrinsic mechanical aspects of the board, and their positioning is particularly sensitive.

We also know other types of accessories mounted on the boards of ski, such as platforms for raising the attachment. This type of platform allows, on the one hand, to enhance the fixation with respect to the level of the board, and secondly, to remove the influence of the stiffness of the shoe from ski on the intrinsic stiffness of the board.

Different types of platforms have already been described. The example of such platform is described in US 4 896 895. Such a platform is essentially consisting of a metal plate on which the abutment and heel of the safety fasteners.

This metal plate rests on an elastomeric layer and is anchored on the board at both its front and rear ends. One of these ends has an oblong hole which allows a slight sliding of the platform by report to the board. This device allows a damping of some of the vibrations generated on the board, as well as a limitation of the influence of the stiffness of the user's shoe compared to that of the board. Such a platform, by providing some unbridging of the board, has a weak affect the stiffness of the board.

The Applicant has described in document EP 1 166 834 a platform of raising the attachment which is anchored on the board with three levels longitudinal differences. Such a platform, which has anchor zones distant, ensures a significant clamping of the board since its own stiffness is added to that of the board. This type of platform is therefore particularly intended for the practice of ski racing, or more athletic, for which he is necessary that the board has a significant stiffness.

It therefore appears that the different types of platforms or stiffeners existing ones are more specifically dedicated to a type of practice. This requires manufacturers to design and build different devices according to their subsequent use. This disadvantage for the manufacturer doubles as a disadvantage for the ski user or reseller who has to choose a type of platform or stiffener according to the desired practice, and which must obligatorily change if he wants to adopt a different practice.

The Applicant has already described in patent application FR 00.14032, no published on the date of filing of this application, a platform of raising intended to be mounted on a ski, and one end of which has a longitudinal sliding capacity relative to the board. This ability to sliding is achieved through an elongated light located at one end of the platform.

Inside this elongated light passes a fixing screw whose head so can move inside the light when the platform is moving slightly compared to the board. It is possible to allow or not this sliding by placing inside this elongated light a room which, when present, prohibits the movement of the screw to inside the light, and thus blocks the sliding.

The use of this additional piece requires the intervention of the user, this can be inconvenient, especially when the change is made on the snow. In addition, there is the risk of losing one of the parts of the system.

DE 197 18 860 discloses another device for be mounted on a board of gliding, and likely to modify the stiffness of the board according to a setting made by the user. More specifically, this device essentially comprises a platform whose rear end has a sliding capacity with respect to the upper face of the board. This device also comprises a movable lever, articulated with respect to the face top of the board. A portion of this lever is at the same level vertically as the rear end of the platform, and can serve as a stop for block the sliding movement of the platform relative to the board. Depending on the position of the lever, this stop effect occurs sooner or later in the bending of the board.

This device has a number of disadvantages. It presents indeed a complex shape and a multitude of pieces that make it relatively fragile. In addition, because of its architecture, this device is the seat of constraints important, since, whatever the position of the articulated lever, it undergoes significant efforts when it receives the contact of the rear part of the platform.

The invention therefore proposes to provide a raising platform of which the influence on the stiffness of the board can be reconfigurable at any time, and in an easy way for the user.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is described by claim 1.

In other words, the area of the platform that has a capacity of sliding relative to the board can be locked in fixed position relative to the latter by the action of the user that changes the position of the organ mobile so that the latter cooperates or not with the fixed pad relative to the board.

Thus, when the movable member is in the locked position, the latter cooperates with the fixed stud so as to prohibit the displacement of the end of the platform. The platform adds stiffness to that of the board. Conversely, when the movable member is in the so-called "free" position, it does not interfere with the stud fixed when sliding the platform. The stiffness of the latter has therefore only a very limited influence on the overall stiffness of the board.

In practice, the movable member can move relative to the platform is by pivoting, or by translation.

In a particular embodiment, when the movable member is in locked position, the portion abutting against the stud is directed away from the end of the platform, so as to prevent the sliding of this last in the direction towards its end. In other words, when it comes to the rear end of the platform which has a sliding capacity, the movable member comes into abutment with respect to the front face of the stud, so as to prevent the rear end of the platform from receding.

Conversely, if it is the front end that has a capacity of sliding, it is preferable that the sliding member comes into abutment with the face back of the fixed stud, to prevent the platform from sliding forward ski.

In a particular embodiment, the movable member may comprise a second portion abutting against the stud when the movable member is in locked position, so as to prohibit the movement of the end of the plate relative to the stud in both longitudinal directions. In other words, in the blocked position, it prevents the displacement of the sliding end of the plate in relation to the board, forwards and backwards.

This arrangement is of interest when in its rest position, that is to say under the static load of the user, the platform is in a position intermediate to the board, that is to say that it has a capacity of sliding either forwards or backwards.

Advantageously in practice, in the case where the mobile member is pivotable by relative to the platform, the zones coming into abutment against each other of the stud and of the movable member are cylindrical. In this way, during the pivoting of the organ movable relative to the stud, the two cylindrical profiles of the stud and the organ moving relative to each other.

In practice, the movable member can be embedded in a housing provided to this effect under the platform, which limits the total height of the device.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the platform may comprise in addition return means interposed between the platform and the movable member. These means are able to press the movable member against the stud in a direction perpendicular to the plate. In other words, the return means are provided to maintain contact and cooperation between the movable member and the stud to ensure in particular the permanence of the blockage, in particular when the organ mobile comes into abutment against the stud.

Advantageously, in practice, the platform may comprise at least one longitudinally elongated slot, within which is slidable an anchor point on the board, such as in particular a screw. In this case, the characteristic pin is secured to the board by this anchor point, which can for example cross a portion of the stud before being screwed inside the structure of the board.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the stud or the movable member may have means for preventing the free movement of the movable member, that is to say to keep the movable member in the "locked" position. , in the "free" position. In other words, the position of the movable member can be locked to prevent the latter from moving unexpectedly during use.

In practice, these means for preventing free movement can be formed by bosses present on the stud, and intended to cooperate with at least an edge of the portion of the movable member abutting against said stud. In other words, these bosses form areas of extra thickness that the organ mobile must overcome to move from the free position to the locked position and Conversely. The effort required to move from one position to another requires imperatively the intervention of the user, and can not be the result of simple vibration.

In another embodiment, the means for preventing the free movement of the movable member include a spring blade secured to the stud cooperating with a portion of the movable member. The two positions "free" and "Blocked" correspond to configurations in which the blade is is practically not constrained. On the other hand, to move from a position to the other, it is necessary to exert a minimum effort sufficient to counter the effect of this blade spring. This minimal effort is determined not to have unexpected movement of the movable member.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue en éclaté de l'extrémité arrière d'une plate-forme de rehaussement conforme à l'invention, et de la zone du ski dans laquelle elle est implantée.

La figure 2 est une vue de dessous en perspective sommaire de la plate-forme de la figure 1 uniquement équipée de l'organe mobile, montrée dans la position libre.

La figure 3 est une vue de dessous identique à celle de la figure 2 dans laquelle l'organe mobile est montré en position bloquée.

La figure 4 est la même vue en perspective que celle de la figure 3, dans laquelle une partie du plot fixe est également représentée.

La figure 5 est une vue en perspective sommaire en écorché de l'extrémité arrière de la plate-forme de la figure 1, dans laquelle l'organe mobile est en position bloquée.

La figure 6 correspond à la figure 5 dans laquelle l'organe mobile est en position libre.

La figure 7 est une vue de dessus du plot et de l'organe mobile montré dans la position bloquée.

La figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon le plan VIII-VIII' de la figure 7.

La figure 9 est une vue de dessus correspondant à la figure 7 dans laquelle l'organe mobile est dans la position « libre ».

Les figures 10 et 11 sont des vues en éclaté respectivement de dessus et de dessous d'une variante de réalisation de la plate-forme.

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 an exploded view of the rear end of an enhancement platform according to the invention, and the ski area in which it is implanted.

Figure 2 is a bottom view in a summary perspective of the platform of Figure 1 only equipped with the movable member, shown in the free position.

Figure 3 is a bottom view identical to that of Figure 2 in which the movable member is shown in the locked position.

Figure 4 is the same perspective view as that of Figure 3, wherein a portion of the fixed stud is also shown.

Figure 5 is a rough perspective view in cutaway of the rear end of the platform of Figure 1, wherein the movable member is in the locked position.

Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5 wherein the movable member is in the free position.

Figure 7 is a top view of the stud and the movable member shown in the locked position.

Figure 8 is a sectional view along the plane VIII-VIII 'of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a top view corresponding to Figure 7 in which the movable member is in the "free" position.

Figures 10 and 11 are exploded views respectively from above and below of an alternative embodiment of the platform.

Way of realizing the invention

As already mentioned, the invention relates to a platform for raising intended to be mounted on a gliding board such as an alpine ski, and which receives the mounting of the stop and the heel of the safety binding.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this platform (1) comprises a metal plate (2) whose upper face (3) is intended for accommodate the stop and the heel of the binding (not shown).

In the form shown, the platform (1) is secured to the board (4) at level of its front end (not shown) and at its median level through two screws passing through circular lights (5), made to through the metal plate (2). In this way, the attachment of the front end and the median level of the platform is made without any sliding ability compared to the board.

Conversely, the rear end (6) of the platform (1) is equipped with two longitudinally extending openings (7, 8). These two elongated openings (7, 8) receive the passage of two screws (9, 10) screwed inside the board (4).

The heads (11, 12) of these screws (9, 10) have a substantially equal diameter to the width of the elongate lumens (7, 8). In contrast, this diameter is less than the length of these elongate lights (7, 8), which allows a slight sliding longitudinal of the platform relative to the board, at the level where are anchored the screws (7, 8) in the board.

In accordance with the invention, this platform (1) also comprises a stud (20) which is fixedly mounted relative to the ski and a movable member (40) accessible to the user.

More precisely, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, this stud (20) has a platinum (21) which comes into contact with the upper face of the ski (4), and a zone protrusion (22) forming the stud itself.

More exactly, the plate (21) has two holes (23, 24) crossed by the anchoring screws (9, 10), so that the plate (21) and thus the stud (22) are firmly attached to the board (4) and therefore constitute a fixed point in relation to this last. At the rear, this plate (21) is extended by a zone in protrusion (22) which originates on the upper face (25) of the plate (21). This protrusion (22) is located at the rear of the plate (21), and has a shape substantially square. The front side (26) of this protrusion (22) has a cylindrical profile, centered on the pivot axis (27) of the movable member (40).

• une zone médiane (41) sensiblement plate, et orientée horizontalement ;
• une zone haute (42) servant de manette de manipulation pour déplacer l'organe mobile (40) ;
• et une zone avant (43) formant la butée destinée à venir au contact du plot (20).

This movable member (40), as illustrated in FIG. 1, has three main zones, namely:

• a middle region (41) substantially flat, and oriented horizontally;
• a high area (42) serving as a manipulator handle for moving the movable member (40);
• and a front zone (43) forming the abutment intended to come into contact with the stud (20).

More precisely, the median zone (41) is extended at the front by the zone front (43), which has a generally cylindrical shape, of slightly diameter greater than the diameter of the front side (26) of the stud (22).

This front zone (43) has a height substantially equal to the height of the characteristic stud (22). The rear face (44) of the front zone (43) of the organ mobile (40) comes into contact with the front face (26) of the stud (22), when the organ mobile (40) is in the locked position, as shown in FIG.

The upper zone (42) of the movable member (40) is decomposed into a first portion (46) cylindrical, directly above the median area plate (41). This cylindrical zone (46) has a diameter corresponding to that an opening (14) pierced on the plate (2). This cylindrical portion (46) extends upwards by a gripping zone (47) which can be clamped by the user to cause pivoting of the movable member (40). This zone of gripper (47) may also have a transverse slot (48) allowing the use of a screwdriver or equivalent tool to ensure the pivoting of the movable member (40).

In the form illustrated in Figure 1, the platform also includes a corrugated washer (50) which is interposed between the movable member (40) and the plate (4). More specifically, this corrugated washer (50) is located between the upper face of the central zone (41) of the movable member (40) and the lower face (15) of the plate (4). This corrugated washer (50), or more generally any spring system or of return, exerts a force away from the movable member (40) of the plate (4), and therefore plate the movable member (40) on the stud (20).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the movable member (40) is recessed under the plate (4) in a housing (17) provided for this purpose. This accommodation (17) has a general shape allowing the pivoting of the movable member (40) over 180 °, that is to say between the position illustrated in Figure 2 corresponding to the free position, up to the position illustrated in Figure 3 corresponding to the locked position, or even to a position not shown, but corresponding to a pivoting of the additional movable member 90 °, in which the movable member (40) is located in a symmetrical position with respect to its axis of rotation, in comparison with the representation of Figure 2.

In the illustrated form, the front zone (43) of the movable member (40) comes almost in contact with the border (18) of the housing made in the plate for eliminate mechanical games.

Moreover, the height of the front zone (43) of the movable member (40) is such that that the latter is flush under the underside (15) of the plate (4) without exceeding.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the protruding portion (22) of the fixed stud (20) also penetrates inside the housing (17) made in the plate (4).
For ease of understanding, only one half of the fixed pad (20) has been shown in this figure.

The operation of the platform according to the invention is as follows.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the movable member (40) is in the so-called position "Blocked", the front zone (43) of the movable member (40) is located according to the plane median longitudinal of the plate (4). The rear face (44) of this front zone (43) comes into contact with the characteristic stud (22). This configuration is also illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The rear end (6) of the plate (4) therefore comes through this characteristic portion abuts against the fixed stud (20). It is therefore impossible at the platform (1) to slide backwards when the board hinges. In other words, the rigidity of the board is increased by that of the platform.

Conversely, when the movable member (40) is in the position illustrated in the FIG. 6, after having been rotated by 90 °, the front portion (43) of the movable member (40) is located in a lateral area of the platform, and thus appears hidden in Figure 6. This position corresponds in plan view to the FIG. 9. In this case, the movable member (40) can move longitudinally relative to the stud (20) without abutting against the latter. In other words, the space (51) situated between the front face (26) of the stud (22) and the border (18) of the housing (17) made in the plate (4), can decrease.

This occurs when the board hinges, and that the rear end (6) of the platform is pushed backwards, sliding relative to the points anchors constituted by the screws (9, 10). In this case, the screws (9, 10) move to the interior of the elongated lights (7, 8) towards the front of the platform when the board hangs. Thus, the influence of the rigidity of the platform on that of skiing is more limited.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, the characteristic stud comprises two bosses (30, 31) located on either side of the median longitudinal plane. These bosses (30, 31) are spaced apart by a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the front zone (43) of the movable member (40). In this way, when the organ mobile is in the locked position illustrated in FIG. 7, these bosses (30, 31) oppose the free rotation of the latter. To move from the locked position to the free position, that is to say from the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to that illustrated in FIG. FIG. 9, it is necessary for the front zone (43) of the movable member to overcome the boss (30). When the movable member (40) is in the so-called "free" position, the face (32) of the boss (30) opposes its displacement towards the position blocked. This eliminates the risk of the moving member (40) moving from Unexpectedly during use, which could lead to involuntary stiffness changes. In this case, the washer (50) plating the movable member (40) downwards, the user will have to exert a slight traction of the latter upwards to rotate it.

Of course, the locking function provided by the bosses can be performed by equivalent means such as spring leaf blades arranged at appropriate places to lock the movable member in its free and blocked positions.

More precisely, and as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the part in protrusion (22) of the stud (20) may comprise a housing of general shape oblong (60). This oblong housing (60) has its largest dimension according to the longitudinal axis of the board. This housing (60) accommodates on one of its faces a spring (61), formed of a steel rod or of the piano string type configured in a U-shape. This spring (61) has a deformation capacity crosswise, and is therefore slightly spaced from the side (62) of the housing (60) facing which he is. This housing (60) accommodates an outgrowth portion (64) located below the median zone (41) of the movable member (40). This portion in outgrowth has a general square shape.

In general, this protruding portion has two sides (65, 66) substantially rectilinear, and oriented at 90 ° from each other. These two sides (65, 66) next to the spring (61) in one or other of the two locked positions or free of the movable member (40). More precisely, and in the illustrated form, when the movable member (42) is in the locked position, the side (65) of the portion (64, 65) engages the spring (61). To go into the free position, it is necessary to rotate 90 ° of the movable member (40). During this movement, the corner (67) of the protruding portion (64), located at the intersection sides (65, 66) deforms the spring blade (61) which opposes this movement.

The force required to deform this blade spring (61) requires necessarily the intervention of the user and can not be the simple result of vibration. When the wedge (67) leaves the leaf spring (61), the side (66) of the protrusion (64) is opposite the spring (61). To return to position blocked, it is necessary again to exert sufficient effort that can not appear accidentally.

Of course, the general shape of the outgrowth (64) may be different from that illustrated, since it ensures a locking of the movable member (40) in the two positions blocked and free.

The invention is described above in detail for one embodiment in which the movable member pivots about a vertical axis, but it covers also variants in which the movable member moves by translation horizontal or vertical, provided that the principle of the invention is respected, that is to say that this mobile organ may adopt two positions, one in which it blocks or more generally limits the movement of the end of the platform, and another position in which the sliding of the latter is free.

It follows from the foregoing that the platform according to the invention has many advantages, including the possibility of adjusting the stiffness of the board very easily for the user.

Claims (12)

1. A platform (1) for raising the binding intended for fitting on a board for gliding (4), one free end (6) of which has the ability to slide longitudinally relative to the board, and which also comprises:

   a stud (20) intended for securing to the board (4) in order to form a fixed point;

   a movable member (40) mounted inside the free end (60) of said platform, said movable member being able to adopt two positions, namely,

   a "blocked" position in which it has a portion (43) abutting against the fixed stud (20), so as to prevent the movement of the end (6) of the platform relative to the stud (20);

   a "free" position in which it can slide freely relative to the stud (20) and thus allow the longitudinal sliding of the platform relative to the stud ;

   characterized in that the movable member (40) has a superior zone acting as a gripping zone (47), which extends through an opening (14) drilled on the platform, said movable member being capable of being displaced within the free end (6) of the platform and through the action of the user on the gripping zone
2. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the movable member (40) is capable of pivoting relative to the platform (1).
3. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the movable member is capable of being translated relative to the platform.
4. The platform as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the abutting portion (43) is directed, when the movable member (40) is in the blocked position, against the end (6) of the platform (1) so as to prevent the sliding of the latter in the direction oriented toward its end (6).
5. The platform as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that in their zones (43, 26) abutting against one another, the stud (20) and the portion (4) of the movable member (43) are cylindrical.
6. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the movable member comprises a second portion abutting against the stud when the pivoting member is in the blocked position, so as to prevent the movement of the end of the plate relative to the stud in both longitudinal directions.
7. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the movable member (40) is partially fitted in a housing (17) provided for this purpose.
8. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which also comprises return means (50) interposed between the platform (1) and the movable member (40) and which are capable of pressing the movable member (40) against the stud (20) in a direction perpendicular to the plate.
9. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which includes at least one longitudinally (7, 8) elongate aperture inside which a point for anchoring (9, 10) on the board is capable of sliding, and wherein the stud (20) is secured to the board (4) by said anchoring point (9, 10).
10. The platform as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stud (20) and/or the movable member (40) has have means for preventing the free displacement of the movable member.
11. The platform as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the means for preventing the free displacement are formed by bosses (30, 31) present on the stud and intended for interacting with at least one edge of the portion (43) of the movable member (40) abutting against the stud (20).
12. The platform as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the means for preventing the free displacement include a spring leaf (61) integral with the stud (20) interacting with a portion of the movable member (40).

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