EP1277414B1 - Apparatus for tightening two parts of an sport article - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for clamping together two parts of a sports article, including:a rectilinear notched tongue (6), integral with a first part of the sports article;a guide (30) integral with the second part of the sports article, said guide having two walls (33) between which said tongue (6) is able to slide;a pawl (40) articulated on the guide (30), capable of interacting with the notched tongue (6) in order to immobilize it in position relative to the guide (30);characterized in that it also includes a complementary piece (20) interacting with at least one part of the outer faces of the guide (30), and of which the portion located on the side with the opening of the guide (30) via which the tongue (6) is inserted includes two divergent walls (25, 26) which flare out and extend beyond the opening of the guide (30).

Description

The invention relates to the field of sporting goods, and in particular to sliding sports. It is more particularly a clamping device used on sports articles such as snowboard bindings, ski boots, roller skates or harnesses. It relates more specifically to a particular geometry of certain mechanisms using toothed tongues, and whose configuration facilitates the use.

In the remainder of the description, the invention is more particularly described in its application to snowboarding, but it can also be transposed for various other sports articles using clamping systems similar to those used on snowboard bindings. .

Previous techniques

Some surf bindings, commonly referred to as "hull fasteners", have straps that pass over the foot so as to keep it clamped into the binding. These straps are generally adjustable in length to adapt to all shoe configurations. An example of this type of strap is described in WO 97/28859. These straps comprise two parts, namely a first part formed by a rectilinear notched tongue which is fixed on one side of the fastener. On the other side of the binding, the strap includes a portion passing over the foot, and ending with a ratchet system.

More specifically, the rectilinear tongue is placed between the walls of a guide on which is articulated a pawl. This pawl cooperates with the notches of the notched tongue to prevent the strap from loosening. The walls of the guide are spaced a distance equal to the width of the notched tongue, to avoid any mechanical play, and prevent the latter from moving laterally in the guide.

This need to limit the mechanical play of the tongue inside the guide therefore leads to have a tab of the same width as the guide. However, this arrangement does not facilitate the introduction of the tongue in the guide, since it is necessary for the user to very precisely adjust the tongue when it wants to penetrate the guide. These operations are all the more delicate that the user usually wear gloves that make it less accurate in his actions.

A problem to be solved by the invention is that of the compatibility between an absence of lateral play of the tongue inside the guide, and ease of implementation of the tongue in the guide.

A solution has already been proposed to this problem, as shown in document FR 2 758 057. Thus, the tongue used in the binding described in this document has a triangle-shaped end, thus having a smaller width in its end which comes first in contact with the guide. This solution has limited effectiveness, since it is important that the tip portion of the tongue is introduced into the width of the guide so that the centering effect takes place. In addition, such a solution is all the more effective that the tongue is sharpened, and therefore has an acute angle which represents a possible risk of injury. This tongue is also relatively fragile.

EP-A-1 203 540 forms part of the state of the art under Article 54 (3) and (4) EPC.

Presentation of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a device for clamping two parts of a sports article.

• ■ une languette crantée rectiligne, solidaire d'une première partie de l'article de sport ;
• ■ un guide solidaire de la seconde partie de l'article de sport, ledit guide possédant deux parois entre lesquelles peut coulisser ladite languette ;
• ■ un cliquet articulé sur le guide, apte a coopérer avec la languette crantée pour la bloquer en position par rapport au guide.

Such a device comprises in known manner:

• ■ a rectilinear notched tongue, integral with a first part of the sports article;
• ■ a guide secured to the second part of the sports article, said guide having two walls between which can slide said tongue;
• ■ a pawl articulated on the guide, adapted to cooperate with the notched tongue to lock it in position relative to the guide.

According to the invention, the device is characterized in that it also comprises a complementary piece in which is embedded the guide, the portion of the complementary piece located on the side of the opening of the guide through which the tongue is inserted, comprising two diverging walls flaring and extending beyond the opening of the guide.

In other words, the device which ensures the locking of the tongue comprises a centering piece, a portion of which forms a tongue insertion opening, having a width substantially greater than the opening of the guide itself. In this way, when the user approaches the tongue of the characteristic part, even if the tongue is not perfectly aligned with the axis of the guide, its end comes into contact with the characteristic diverging walls. The tongue is thus recentered and guided to the entrance of the guide in which it takes place without side play.

Thus regardless of the shape of the tab end, it is possible to introduce the tongue in the guide more easily and more quickly.

In a particular embodiment, the diverging walls of the complementary piece are extended by side walls facing the walls of the guide. In other words, the complementary piece envelops the underside of the guide and covers the lateral faces of the latter. This complementary piece may for example be made by overmoulding on the guide which may be metallic.

This prevents the lifting of the guide inside the complementary piece

This ensures a good hold of the guide inside the complementary piece. This behavior can be further improved by using centering means provided on the guide and the complementary piece.

These centering means may for example be formed of a lug and a corresponding light, located on the guide and the complementary light.

This prevents any longitudinal movement of the guide inside the complementary piece.

This locking of the guide relative to the complementary piece can be further improved in the case where the walls of the guide are extended by divergent walls coming into contact with a portion of the inner faces of the diverging walls of the complementary piece. In other words, near the opening of the guide, the parallel side walls of the latter may slightly flake and come to fit partially in the diverging walls of the complementary piece. In this configuration, any relative movement of the guide and the complementary piece is prohibited.

Advantageously in practice, the side walls of the complementary piece can form gripping zones of the guide. In other words, the maneuvers of the pawl and other moving parts associated with the guide can be facilitated by effective handling of the complementary part, and therefore the guide. The outer faces of the side walls of the complementary part are then ergonomically configured, to allow the registration of the fingers of the user.

In a particular embodiment, the two side walls of the complementary piece are asymmetrical. In other words, the two gripping zones present on either side of the guide are not at the same longitudinal level of the complementary part, but are on the contrary offset, to accommodate the difference in length between thumb and forefinger The gripping zone intended to receive the support of the index is closer to the opening of the guide than that intended to receive the support of the thumb.

Different parts can be mounted on the guide, to ensure different types of tabbing cooperation. Thus, the guide may comprise a lever cooperating with the tongue to cause the advancement in the guide. In other words, this additional lever, when actuated, pushes the tongue inside the guide thus increasing the clamping. The ratchet meanwhile ensures the locking of the tongue by not opposing its advance in the guide, but preventing the recoil.

In other embodiments, the tongue is associated with an articulated loop, which is integral with the tongue and which ensures the displacement of the latter inside the guide, when actuated by the user. In other words, the operation of this articulated loop causes the displacement of the tongue in the direction of insertion, which allows it to penetrate the guide and cooperate with the pawl. When the user folds the loop or more generally the maneuver, it exerts a pull of the tongue in the opposite direction of its introduction into the guide. This movement is thwarted by the ratchet, which ensures tightening.

The reverse arrangement can also be adopted. In this case, the guide and the ratchet are associated with a loop. Maneuvering the loop moves the guide and the complementary piece towards the tongue which is fixed.

The complementary and characteristic part of the invention can be an integral part of a new design locking system, or even be reported under the guide of an existing system, so as to improve the operation of the latter.

The clamping device according to the invention can find a particularly advantageous application for equipping surf bindings. In this case, the device is mounted to ensure the tightening of the two parts of a strap.

The device according to the invention can also be mounted on a gliding sports shoe such as an alpine ski boot, a cross-country ski boot, a surf boot or the like as well as a roller skate or a skateboard. ice skating. In this case, the device serves to clamp between them two flaps of the shoe, a first flap carrying the tongue, the other flap carrying the guide and the characteristic complementary piece.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective sommaire d'une fixation équipée du dispositif de blocage.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective sommaire de la zone de blocage du dispositif de serrage.
• La figure 3 est une vue éclatée montrant les différents éléments illustrés à la figure 2, de façon distincte.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du mécanisme de blocage de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue de dessus montrant le guide et la pièce complémentaire.
• Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues en coupe longitudinales de la languette du mécanisme de blocage montrées pour deux variantes de réalisation.
• La figure 8 est une vue en perspective sommaire d'une chaussure de ski équipée d'une variante de réalisation du dispositif de serrage.

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 brief perspective view of a fastener equipped with the locking device.
• Figure 2 is a brief perspective view of the locking area of the clamping device.
• Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the different elements illustrated in Figure 2, separately.
• FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG.
• Figure 5 is a top view showing the guide and the complementary piece.
• Figures 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views of the tongue of the locking mechanism shown for two variants.
• Figure 8 is a summary perspective view of a ski boot equipped with an alternative embodiment of the clamping device.

Way of realizing the invention

As already mentioned, the invention relates to a clamping device which can find a particular application in sliding sports, and in particular for ski boots and surf bindings.

In its application to surf bindings, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention makes it possible to equip a fastener (1) of the "shell" type which comprises a base (2), a rear shell (3), and two straps (4, 5), connecting the two sides of the base (2), passing respectively above the instep and above the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Each of these straps (4, 5) comprises a rectilinear notched tongue (6, 7) which is secured by one end (8, 9) to one side of the base. The other part of the strap (10, 11) is secured to the other side of the base. This portion (10, 11) which passes over the shoe is generally enlarged and padded to distribute the pressure it exerts on the shoe, and prevent it hurts the user. In its extremal portion, this portion of the strap (10, 11) comprises a clamping mechanism (12, 13) made according to the invention. This clamping device (12, 13) can be of different designs, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In general, these locking mechanisms (12, 13) comprise a guide in which the notched tongue (6, 7) slides, and a ratchet system, which cooperates with the tongue (6, 7) to prevent sliding within the guide, in a direction that would loosen the strap.

In a more advanced form, as illustrated in Figure 2, the clamping mechanism also comprises a lever (50) which cooperates with the tongue (6) to cause the advancement inside the guide, in the direction tightening. This additional lever (50), which may be advantageous, is however not necessary for the implementation of the invention.

The various elements forming the clamping mechanism are illustrated separately in FIG. 3. Thus, at the end (17) of the strap (12) is secured the assembly formed by the complementary piece (20), the guide ( 30), the pawl (40), and the clamping lever (50). This joining can for example be carried out by a rivet (18) passing through a bore (31) formed in the guide (30) and a bore (21) formed in the central portion (22) of the complementary piece (20), as well as a bore (19) formed in the strap (12).

The complementary piece (20) comprises a central portion (22), two side walls (23, 24) located on either side of the central portion (22). These side walls (23, 24) are extended at the front by diverging walls (25, 26) which flare away from the body of the workpiece (20). On each outer face of the side walls (23, 24), the complementary piece (20) comprises a gripping zone (27, 28), slightly outgrowth. The shape of these gripping areas is determined by ergonomic considerations. One of the two gripping areas (27, 28) may be offset longitudinally relative to the other, to account for the difference in positioning of the thumb and index finger when the workpiece (20) is grasped by the user.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the central portion (22) of the complementary piece (20) comprises a slight recess, delimited by the extra thickness (29), within which is embedded the guide (30). The guide (30) also comprises a central zone (32) to take place in the recess of the complementary piece (20). On each side, the guide (30) comprises side walls (33), which are flat and parallel. Near the opening (34) of the guide, these side walls (33) have an extension (35) away from the side wall (33) to the outside. These extension portions (35) are embedded in a portion of the diverging walls (25, 26) of the complementary piece (20). The two side walls (33) of the guides (30) are each pierced by a pair of openings (36, 37) receiving the axes (41, 51) respectively of the pawl (40) and the lever (50).

In its central part, the guide (30) has a cutout for forming a lug (38) deformed downwards, to fit into an opening (39) provided for this purpose in the complementary piece (20). In this way, the centering and locking of the guide (30) inside the complementary piece (20) are ensured.

The guide (30) therefore receives, as shown in Figure 3, the pawl (40) ensuring the locking of the tongue (6) within the guide (30). To do this, the pawl (40) has an edge (42) which is embedded in a notch of the tongue (6). Pressure on the support zone (43) of the pawl (40) ensures pivoting of the latter and disengagement of the edge (42) of the notch of the tongue (6). This maneuver therefore allows the loosening of the strap.

Conversely, the tightening is caused by the operation of the lever (50). When this lever (50) is raised, its edge (52) comes into contact with a notch of the tongue (6), pushing the latter in the direction of advancing inside the guide (30).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the width λ ₁ of the tongue is substantially equal to the distance (λ ₂ ) which separates the internal faces of the walls (33) of the guide (30). In this way, the guidance of the tongue is carried out almost without any transverse play, and therefore no inaccuracy in tightening. On the other hand, the width L of the complementary part, measured at its opening, between the diverging walls (25, 26) is clearly greater than the width λ ₁ of the tongue (6), so that, even if the tongue is not presented in the axis of the guide (30), it is automatically folded in the right direction by the diverging walls (25, 26) characteristics.

The invention is not limited to the use of a lever causing the advancement of the tongue inside the locking mechanism, but also covers other variants in which the guide (30) and the complementary piece (20) have only one locking pawl.

In this case, the advance of the tongue can be caused in different ways. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 6, the tongue (6) can be associated with an articulated loop (60), located at its end connecting to the base of the fastener. The operation of the loop (60) causes the extension of the tongue (6) and its introduction into the guide (30). The reverse operation of the loop (60) causes a pull on the tongue, and therefore on the entire guide and the complementary piece when the pawl comes into action.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, it is the strap (12) which supports the guide (30) and the complementary piece (20) which is associated with a deformable loop (62). In this case, when this loop (62) is operated, the guide (30) and the complementary piece (20) are moved towards the tongue (6), causing the penetration of the latter in the guide (30). The reverse operation of the loop ensures traction on the strap (12), and therefore on the guide (30) and the pawl (40). When it comes into action, it ensures traction on the tongue (6), and therefore a tightening of the strap.

The invention can also be used on ski boots or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this case, the clamping device connects the front (66) and rear (65) flaps of a boot. In the illustrated form, the tongue (67) is integral with the front flap (66) and the rear flap (65) has the locking mechanism. The latter is equipped with the characteristic piece (68) facilitating the insertion of the tongue (67) into the locking mechanism.

• ■ l'assurance d'une bonne introduction de la languette dans le guide de blocage, même lorsque la languette n'est pas amenée exactement dans l'axe du guide, par exemple lorsque l'utilisateur n'a pas toute la précision voulue à cause de ses gants ;
• ■ une plus grande facilité et une plus grande rapidité de mise en place ;
• ■ la possibilité d'adapter la pièce complémentaire caractéristique à certaines boucles existantes.

It follows from the foregoing that the use of the clamping means described above has many advantages, and in particular:

• ■ the guarantee of a good introduction of the tongue in the locking guide, even when the tongue is not brought exactly in the axis of the guide, for example when the user does not have all the precision required to because of his gloves;
• ■ greater ease and speed of implementation;
• ■ the possibility of adapting the characteristic complementary piece to certain existing loops.

Industrial applications

The clamping device according to the invention can as already mentioned, be used for multiple applications, and especially in surf sports for surf bindings, alpine ski boots, bottom or the like, and boots of surf.

It can also be used as a clamping means for harnesses or other, or even sports bags.

Claims (12)

1. Device for clamping together two parts of a sports article, including:

   • a rectilinear notched tongue (6), integral with a first part of the sports article;

   • a guide (30) integral with the second part of the sports article, said guide having two walls (33) between which said tongue (6) is able to slide;

   • a pawl (40) articulated on the guide (30), capable of interacting with the notched tongue (6) in order to immobilize it in position relative to the guide (30);

   characterized in that it also includes a complementary piece (20) in which the guide (30) is nested, the portion of the complementary piece (20) located on the side with the opening of the guide (30) via which the tongue (6), including two divergent walls (25, 26) which flare out and extend beyond the opening of the guide (30).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the divergent walls (25, 26) of the complementary piece (20) extend via lateral walls (23, 24) opposite the walls (33) of the guide (30).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that it includes means for centring the guide (30) relative to the complementary piece (20).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the centring means are formed by a stud (38) and a corresponding aperture (39) which are located on the guide (30) and on the complementary piece (20)
5. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the walls (33) of the guide extend via divergent walls (35) in contact with a part of the inner faces of the divergent walls (25, 26) of the complementary piece (20).
6. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the lateral walls (23, 24) of the complementary piece form zones (27, 28) for gripping the guide (30).
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the two lateral walls (27, 28) of the complementary piece are asymmetrical.
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide (30) includes a lever (50) interacting with the tongue (6) in order to cause the latter to advance in the guide (30).
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it includes an articulated buckle (60) integral with the tongue (6) and ensuring the displacement of the tongue (6) inside the guide (30).
10. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it includes an articulated buckle (62) integral with the guide (30) and with the complementary piece (20) and ensuring the displacement of the guide (30) relative to the tongue (6).
11. Snowboard binding equipped with at least one clamping device according to one Claims 1 to 10, in which the two parts to be clamped together are the parts of a clamping strap (4, 5).
12. Gliding-sport boot equipped with at least one device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, in which the two parts to be clamped together are two flaps (66, 65) of the boot, one (66) of which carries the tongue (67) and the other the guide and the complementary piece (68).

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