EP1512440B1 - Fastening device for a boot or a shoe on a sporting good - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a support side (26) turned towards a reception zone (14) for a shoe or a foot, such that a free side (27) is opposed to the side (26). A link (51) extends between lateral and median parts and has a front division (52). The front division of the link is placed at a side of the support side. The link has a rear division placed at a side of a free side of a rear support unit.

Description

The invention relates to a device for holding a foot or a shoe on a sports machine, for which the maintenance of the foot or the shoe is done using at least one link. The invention also relates to a link intended to be part of the device.

Such devices are used for snowboarding or snowboarding, skiing on snow or water, snowshoeing, rollerblading, or other.

A link device according to the prior art generally comprises a lateral part and a medial part which delimit between them a reception area of the foot or boot, as well as a rear support element associated with at least one of lateral and medial parts. The rear support element comprises a bearing face, turned towards the reception area and intended to receive the rear of a lower leg. The rear support element also comprises a free face opposite to the bearing face. The device further comprises at least one link that extends between the lateral and medial parts, each link serving to maintain the foot or the shoe in the reception area.

The link is generally an elongated piece relatively flexible and substantially inextensible. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to the foot or the shoe. Its relative inextensibility favors the maintenance of the foot or the shoe in the zone of reception.

It is common to use two links on one device, one at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint, the other at the level of the instep. The one who acts towards the instep is generally oriented to solicit the foot or the shoe both towards the reception area and towards the rear support element.

This is for example the case in snowboarding where a user must take backs. The fact that the lower leg remains in contact with the rear support element is a guarantee of driving precision.

It has appeared, however, that maintaining the heel is not always sufficient, and that a game is created under the heel of the foot or the shoe. The driving impulses of the machine induce movements of the heel.

For example in snowboarding a front edge grip can cause a heel lift, which is detrimental to driving precision.

In order to improve the maintenance of the heel, the prior art has proposed solutions.

One of them, according to the document US 6,206,403 is to use at the heel a link that includes a front division and a rear division. The front division is in front of the lower leg and substantially above the instep, while the rear division is behind the lower leg and above the heel. The divisions unite to gird the lower leg just above the heel. When the belt formed by the divisions of the link is tight, the heel is held precisely in the reception area. Thus the game that is created under the heel of the foot or the shoe is reduced. However, it has emerged that a large game is formed between the rear of the lower leg and the rear support element. The game is awkward for the backrests.

This is particularly the case in snowboarding when the user is leaning on the rear edge. The leg extension movement is disrupted by catching the game. This affects driving precision.

So the device according to the document US 6,206,403 improves the hold of the foot or the shoe under the heel, but deteriorates between the rear of the lower leg and the rear support element. What was won on one side was lost on the other.

In relation to this, the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and in particular to improve the holding of the foot or the shoe at the heel, and simultaneously improve the holding of the back of the lower leg on the rear support element.

This is why the invention proposes a device for maintaining a foot or a shoe, the device comprising a lateral part and a medial part delimiting an area for receiving the foot or footwear, as well as an element rear support member associated with at least one of the lateral and medial parts, the rear support element comprising a bearing face facing towards the receiving zone and a free face opposite the bearing face. the device further comprising a link extending between the lateral and medial portions, the link comprising a front division as well as a rear division.

The holding device according to the invention is characterized in that the front division of the link is located on the side of the bearing surface of the rear support element, and the rear division is located on the side of the face. free of the back support element.

Thus at the same time that it girds the lower leg just above the heel, the link plate the back of the lower leg against the back support element. Therefore it allows the maintenance with a low game, or zero, both the heel in the reception area and the back of the lower leg against the rear support element. It follows that for the back of the foot or the shoe, the holding accuracy is distributed homogeneously. An advantage that results is a high precision of conduct in all cases.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif de maintien selon un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue arrière du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue éclatée partielle en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une coupe selon V-V de la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est similaire à la figure 5, pour un deuxième exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective avant d'un dispositif de maintien selon un troisième exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 8 est une vue partielle en perspective arrière du dispositif de la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la division arrière d'un lien, selon un quatrième exemple de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to non-limiting examples, how the invention may be implemented, and in which:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a holding device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a rear view of the device of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a partial exploded view in perspective of the device of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 5 is a section according to VV of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 6 is similar to the figure 5 , for a second embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 7 is a front perspective view of a holding device according to a third embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 8 is a partial perspective rear view of the device of the figure 7 ,
• the figure 9 is a perspective view of the rear division of a link, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Although the examples described below relate more to the field of snowboarding, it should be understood that they also apply to other areas as mentioned before.

The first example is presented using the Figures 1 to 5 .

As we see on the figure 1 , a holding device 1 allows the temporary retention on a board 2 of a shoe 3.

In known manner, the holding device 1 comprises a base 4 which extends longitudinally between a rear end 5 and a front end 6.

The base 4 has an upper face 7 designed to be facing the sole 8 of the shoe 3, and a lower face 9 provided to be above the board 2.

As we see on the figure 2 the base 4 is retained in the board 2 by means represented in the form of a disc 10, itself retained in the board 2 by screws 11.

Of course, other means for retaining the base 4 could be provided.

The base 4 is bordered laterally by a lateral flange 12 and by a medial flange 13. Each of the flanges 12, 13 form respectively a lateral or medial part of the device 1 to define a reception zone 14 of the shoe. When the latter is in place on the device 1, the flanges 12, 13 along the sole 8 laterally. Of course, it could be provided other than the flanges 12, 13 to form the lateral and medial parts. For example, simple lateral and medial abutments may be suitable.

Preferably, the base 4 and the flanges 12, 13 form a one-piece piece made for example of synthetic material. However, it could be expected that the flanges are parts secured to the base by any means such as gluing, welding, screwing, interlocking, or other.

The device 1 also comprises a rear support element 20, so that the user can take back supports with the lower leg.

The rear support element 20 comprises a curved plate 21 which extends longitudinally between an attachment end 22 and a free end 23, transversely between a lateral edge 24 and a medial edge 25, and in thickness between a face support 26 and a free face 27.

Of course the support face 26 is provided to receive the rear of the lower leg of the user, the rear support member 20 and the base 4 being associated accordingly. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the rear support element 20 is associated with the flanges 12, 13, for example by means of a hinge 28. The latter is oriented substantially along a transverse axis 29 of the device 1 The hinge 28 may comprise any component such as a screw, a rivet, a washer, a nut, a trunnion, or the like.

The joint 28 allows a movement of bringing the rear support member 20 towards the base 4. A benefit that arises is to facilitate storage.

Of course the rear support element 20 could also be associated directly with the base 4. Or it could be provided that the rear support element 20 is secured directly to the machine, in this case the board 2. It is enough to position it on the machine so that it allows the back supports with the bottom of leg.

Furthermore there is provided a means for adjusting the position of the rear support member 20 relative to the base 4. This means is shown in the form of holes 30 formed in the lateral flanges 12 and medial 13. It is for example possible to advance or retreat the rear support element 20 in the direction of the length of the base 4, by disassembly and reassembly of the joint 28. This allows to adjust the device 1 to the length of a shoe. Of course, the holes 30 could be arranged to allow a height adjustment, in a direction of approximation or removal of the base 4.

Of course, other adjustment means could be provided in place of the holes 30. For example, slots or grooves can be provided.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, a stop 35 limits the rearward rotation of the eponymous support element 20.

In a nonlimiting manner the stop 35 comprises a cable 36 which bypasses the rear support element 20. The path of the cable 36 can be observed on the figures 1 , 2 and 3 . For example the cable may comprise a lateral end 37 and a medial end 38. Each of the ends 37, 38 is secured to the lateral flange 12 or medial 13 by any means known to those skilled in the art. The use of a crimped tip may be suitable. Each end 37, 38 is secured to the flange 12, 13 substantially close to the front end 6 of the base 4. Between the ends 37, 38, the cable 36 follows each flange 12, 13 away from it, for bypass the rear support element 20 in a position further away from the flanges. An adjustable shim 39, secured to the rear support element 20 on the side of the free face 27, makes it possible to adjust the angular position of the rear support element relative to the base 4.

As shown in figure 3 , the cable 36 passes through two guides 40, 41 of the rear support element 20 on either side of the wedge 39. Between the guides 40, 41, the cable 36 is held by the wedge 39. It is sufficient to move the wedge 39 closer to or away from the free end 23. For this purpose any means known to those skilled in the art is suitable. This means may comprise a screw 42 for tightening or loosening the wedge 39 relative to the rear support element 20. Additional teeth of the wedge 39 and the rear support element 20 allow positioning of the one on the other. These teeth, not shown, are well known to those skilled in the art.

Of course, any other structure to make the stop could be suitable. One could for example provide a connecting bar between the flanges 12, 13, arch on which would take support shim 39. In this case the use of a cable is not necessary.

It is also provided two links for detachably holding the boot on the base 4, between the flanges 12, 13, in the reception area 14.

A first link 50 is located forward, at the metatarsophalangeal joint when the foot is maintained. A second link 51 is located aft, at the instep when the foot is held.

Each of the links 50, 51 extends transversely between the flanges 12, 13.

Of course, there could be a different number of links.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, as is better seen on the figures 1 and 2 the second link 51 comprises a front division 52 and a rear division 53.

According to the invention, the front division 52 of the link 51 is located on the side of the bearing face 26 of the rear support member 20, and the rear division 53 is located on the side of the free face 27 of the rear support element. This allows the second link to grip the rear support member 20 at the same time it holds the foot or the shoe. It follows that the rear of the lower leg is still pressed against the bearing surface 26 of the rear support member 20. A benefit that arises is a direct transmission of driving pulses during rear support. .

As the figure 4 the rear division 53 of the link 51 comprises a lateral foot 60 and a medial foot 61 connected to each other by an arch 62. Each of the lateral 60 and medial feet 61 is respectively associated with the lateral and medial flange 12, for example by means of the articulation 28 of axis 29. Thus the same joint 28 serves to maintain both the rear support member 20 and the rear division 53 of the link 51. A benefit that arises is a simplification of construction. Another advantage is to give the rear division 53 a degree of freedom in rotation along the transverse axis 29. This facilitates the establishment of the rear division 53. The arch 62 is more easily plate on the free face 27 of the rear support element 20.

Preferably the feet 60, 61 and the arch 62 form a single piece, made for example from a synthetic material. Rear division 53 may comprise polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, or the like.

It can be expected to give rear division 53 a relatively small thickness, for example between 1 and 3 millimeters. This makes it relatively flexible while leaving it substantially inextensible. An advantage that results is a better adaptability to the shapes of a shoe or the rear support element.

Of course the rear division can also be constructed from several parts, assembled by any means known to those skilled in the art.

It should be noted in addition that it is possible to associate the rear support element 20 and the rear division 53 with the flanges 12, 13 along two different axes. All that is needed is to use offset holes.

The division before 52 of the link 51, for its part, is described using the figure 5 .

The front division 52 is associated with the rear division 53. It is represented as a combination of three portions, which are a first attachment portion 63, a cover portion 64 of the shoe, and a second portion of the 65 attachment.

The first portion 63 has a fastener end 66 and a free end 67. The fastener end 66 is connected to the lateral leg 60 by a side fastener. The latter is represented in the form of a hinge, made for example by means of a rivet 68.

A first connecting means is provided for releasably connecting the cover portion 64 to the first portion 63, the free end 67 of the first attachment portion 63 being above the cover portion 64. This means includes for example a ratchet clamp mechanism 69 attached to the cover portion 64, at a first end 70 thereof. The means for connecting the cover portion 64 to the first portion 63 also comprises a series of teeth 71 shaped on the first portion 63. The teeth 71 are distributed from the free end 67 to the vicinity of the hinge 68.

By acting on a lever 72 of the mechanism 69 it is possible to clamp the division 52 by approaching the first end 70 to the side foot 60. By acting on a button 73 of the mechanism 69, it is possible to loosen the division 52, or even to open it. In the latter case, the cover portion 64 and the first portion 63 are separated.

Of course, other means could be provided for connecting the cover portion 64 to the first portion 63.

The second attachment portion 65 has an attachment end 80 and a free end 81. The attachment end 80 is connected to the medial foot 61 by a medial clip. The latter is represented in the form of a hinge, made for example by means of a rivet 82.

A second connecting means is provided for adjustably connecting the cover portion 64 to the second portion 65, the free end 81 of the second attachment portion 65 being above the cover portion 64. This means comprises for example a screw 83 which is screwed into the cover portion 64, at a second end 84 thereof. The screw 83 passes through one of the holes 85 drilled in the second portion 65.

Thus, the user can cause the second end 84 of the cover portion 64 to be near the medial foot 61. The position adjustment of the cover portion 64 with respect to the second portion 65 is rarely modified. . It is intended to take account of the footprint of the shoe.

The two joints are substantially along a transverse axis of the device, which allows the front division 52 to cover the shoe uniformly.

Of course, the joints could be made by other means such as screws, pins, or other.

Similarly, the fasteners of the front division 52 to the rear division 53 could be made by other means, such as a winding around a passer, or the like.

The front division 52 is substantially inextensible in the direction of its length, that is to say from one foot to the other. The materials that constitute it are chosen for this purpose. In particular, the first and second portions 63, 65 preferably comprise respectively a band 86, 87 lengthened made from a synthetic material, such as a polyamide or polyurethane armed or not. Each strip 86, 87 extends in length respectively from the attachment end 66, 80 to the free end 67, 81 of the attachment portion 63, 65.

The cover portion 64 in turn has an elongated shape. It extends in length between the first 70 and second 84 ends.

Each portion 63, 64, 65 is more or less flexible. Its curvature is variable, and it can bend to fit the foot or the shoe.

In addition, as shown by the figure 4 , different holes 88, 89 are formed respectively in the lateral feet 60 and medial 61. These holes 88, 89 allow to change the relative positions of the front 52 and rear 53 divisions of the link 51. It suffices to assign a lateral attachment 68 or medial 82 to a lateral 88 or medial 89 selected. An advantage that arises is an improvement in the adaptation of the device 1 to the size or shape of a shoe. Ultimately it is the entirety of the link 51 which is stamped on the shoe and on the rear support element 20. This is why the games between the shoe and the base 4 or the rear support element 20 are very weak or even zero.

The other embodiments of the invention are presented below using the Figures 6 to 8 . For reasons of simplification, only the specificities of these examples are highlighted.

The second example is presented using the figure 6 . A rear link 100 is shown in section in a manner similar to the figure 5 . The rear link 100 comprises a front division 101 and a rear division 102, the latter passing behind a rear support element 103.

Compared to the first, the second example uses a reduced forward division 101. This one has fewer pieces to cover the shoe. Indeed, it has only a first attachment portion 104 and a cover portion 105, to the exclusion of any other portion. This construction is simpler and more economical.

The third example is presented using the figures 7 and 8 . A holding device 120 comprises a base 121 which extends longitudinally between a rear end 122 and a front end 123. The base 121 is bordered laterally by a lateral flange 124 and by a medial flange 125. A rear support element 126 of the device 120 is associated with the base 121, by a means represented in the form of a hinge axis 127. This articulation is between a fastening end 128 of the rear support element 126 and the flanges 124, 125.

Furthermore the device 120 comprises a rear link 140, with a front division 141 and a rear division 142. The latter 142 comprises a lateral foot 143 and a medial foot 144 both associated with the base 121. The association is made under the shape of a joint, along an axis 145, the lateral feet 143 and medial 144 on the lateral flanges 124 and medial 125.

The hinge pins 127, 145 of the rear support member 126 and the rear link 140 are here different. This makes it possible to adjust the angular position of the rear support element 126 independently of the position of the rear link 140.

Without limitation, it is expected that the hinge axis 127 of the rear support element 126 is closer to the base 121 than the hinge axis 145 of the rear link 140. It follows that for the same tightening force of the link 140, the rear division 142 rotates at an angle greater than the rear support element 126. A benefit that results is a greater stability of the angular position of the rear support element 126.

Furthermore it is expected that at least one of the divisions 141, 142 of the link 140 has at least one perforated portion. The latter thus has openings 146 which make it lighter and give it a certain ability to deform in torsion. An advantage induced by this characteristic is a better adaptation to the shape of the shoe. Of course, the openwork portion may be furnished with one or more damping cushions.

The fourth example is presented using the figure 9 . A rear division 153 of a link comprises a lateral foot 160 and a medial foot 161 connected by an arch 162. The lateral 160 and medial 161 feet are hinged relative to the arch 162 along a transverse axis 163. The relative articulation of feet 160, 161 and the arch 162 moves the degree of freedom in rotation of the arch upwards, in a direction away from the base.

In general, the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all the technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the following claims.

In particular it can be expected that the division before a link is directly associated with the base, and that the rear division is connected to the front division.

It can also be expected that each of the front and rear divisions is associated with the base.

In all cases the association can be direct or indirect.

On the other hand each division may have flexible or rigid portions. In the latter case the portions may be hinged together in the manner of the links of a chain.

Claims (9)

1. Device (1, 120) for retaining a foot or a boot (3) on a sports apparatus, the device (1, 120) comprising a lateral portion (12, 124) and a medial portion (13, 125) demarcating a zone (14) for receiving the foot or the boot (3), as well as a rear support element (20, 103, 126) connected at least with one of the lateral (12, 124) and medial (13, 125) portions, the rear support element (20, 103, 126) including a support surface (26) facing the receiving zone (14) and a free surface (27) opposite the support surface (26), the device (1, 120) further comprising a linkage (51, 100, 140) extending between the lateral (12, 124) and medial (13, 125) portions, the linkage (51, 100, 140) including a front part (52, 101, 141) and a rear part (53, 102, 142), characterized in that the front part (52, 101, 141) of the linkage (51, 100, 140) is located on the side of the support surface (26) of the rear support element (20, 103, 126), and in that the rear part (53, 102, 142) is located on the side of the free surface (27) of the rear support element (20, 103, 126).
2. Retaining device (1, 120) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a lateral flange (12, 124) and a medial flange (13, 125), each of the flanges constituting the lateral portion or medial portion of the device (1, 120); and in that the rear part (53, 102, 142, 153) of the linkage (51, 100, 140) includes a lateral foot (60, 143, 160) and a medial foot (61, 144, 161) connected to one another by an arch (62, 162), each of the lateral (60, 143, 160) and medial (61, 144, 161) feet being associated with the lateral flange (12, 124) and the medial flange (13, 125), respectively.
3. Retaining device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front part (52) comprises three portions, including a first fastening portion (63), a covering portion (64), and a second fastening portion (65).
4. Retaining device (120) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front part (101, 141) comprises two portions, including a first fastening portion (104) and a covering portion (105).
5. Retaining device (1,120) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the front part (52, 101, 141) is associated with the rear part (53, 102, 142).
6. Retaining device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the same articulation (28) serves to retain both the rear support element (20, 103) and the rear part (53, 102, 153) of the linkage (51, 100).
7. Retaining device (120) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rear support element (126) and the rear linkage (140) are associated with the lateral (124) and medial (125) portions, respectively, by articulations having axes (127, 145), the articulation axes (127, 145) of the rear support element (126) and of the rear linkage (140) being different.
8. Retaining device (1, 120) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an abutment (35) that limits the rearward rotation of the rear support element (20, 103, 126), the abutment (35) including a cable (36) extending around the rear support element (20, 103, 126), the cable (36) having a lateral end (37) and a medial end (38), each of the ends (37, 38) being affixed to the lateral (12, 124) or medial (13, 125) flange.
9. Retaining device (1, 120) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a base (4, 121).

Images