EP1512442B1 - Snowboard binding - Google Patents

Abstract

The binding has a heel loop (10) movable with respect to a base plate (2). A locking mechanism (20) has an operating lever (30) articulated to a pressed frame (21) and integrated with the plate. The mechanism has a locking pin (25) moving between a position in which it is engaged in housing of the loop and a position in which it is retractable, to allow or to lock the movement of the loop with respect to the plate.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sports, and more particularly to that of snowboarding. It relates more particularly to particular arrangements of a surf binding. These arrangements allow adjustment easily modifiable by the user of the position of the arch and / or the gutter relative to the base.

Previous techniques

In general, a surf binding comprises a base which is intended to be secured to the upper face of the gliding board. This base frequently receives a rear arch, which supports a gutter configured to receive the rear supports exerted by the user. Sometimes the gutter is directly articulated on the base itself.

It has already been proposed, and in particular in US 6,364,323 , US 6,283,482 and EP 1 142 615 to make certain parts of the attachment, including the hoop, adjustable relative to the base. Indeed, this setting makes it possible to adapt the binding to different sizes of shoes, which is particularly appreciated for rental equipment, or when the user changes shoes. Similarly, the position of the gutter can be adjusted to suit the user's practice. Thus, the angle of inclination of the gutter can be adjusted more or less forward by the movement of a stop cooperating with the hoop. Similarly, the position of the gutter with respect to the hoop can be modified, by a rotation around the leg, so as to allow the taking of the supports rather the inner side of the leg.

Thus, the need arises to allow adjustment of the longitudinal position of the arch, or the position either in inclination, or in rotation of the gutter with respect to the arch, or even the longitudinal position of the gutter relative to the base.

In the aforementioned documents, this adjustment is effected by means of a manually operated mechanism which comprises a manipulation lever associated with a cam or eccentric system. Thus, depending on the position of the manipulation lever, a force is exerted to flatten or not an area of the movable part, on the area facing the fixed part, and typically of the arch on the base, or of the abutment with respect to the gutter.

It is understood that this type of mechanism operating with eccentric systems is limited, since the holding in position of the fixed part relative to the moving part is solely due to the force exerted at the region forming the cam lever. The mechanical stresses are therefore essentially concentrated at this level, with inevitably a limitation of the holding force, to avoid breaking the mechanism at the axis of rotation.

A problem to be solved by the invention is therefore to increase the safety of blocking moving parts relative to the fixed parts, and while allowing manual operation without the need for tools.

Presentation of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a snowboard binding, which comprises two movable parts relative to one another, and typically the hoop relative to the base, or the gutter with respect to the hoop , or even the inclination stop relative to the gutter.

This attachment comprises in a known manner, a manually operated mechanism, allowing the adjustment in position and the blocking of the two parts relative to each other.

According to the invention, this mechanism comprises a manipulation lever, articulated with respect to a yoke, and an element articulated with respect to the lever, which is able to move under the effect of the movement of the lever of locking. This element can move to allow or block the movement of the parts relative to each other.

In other words, the invention consists in producing a locking mechanism of which an element forms a locking piece which penetrates inside one of the parts of the binding, for example the bow, so that it is it is impossible for this moving part to move relative to the other fixed part, namely the base, even with a very high level of effort.

This locking piece can then be extracted from the moving part, with a movement therefore perpendicular to the movement movement allowed thereafter between the moving parts relative to each other. This locking piece can then be moved again, so as to cooperate with a housing, or more generally a zone ensuring its engagement relative to the movable part.

In practice, the articulated element relative to the lever is guided in its translational movement in the yoke via a first guide slot in the yoke. This first light is thus parallel to the movement of movement of the locking piece, and therefore perpendicular to the surface of the movable part into which the locking piece penetrates.

Complementarily, the yoke comprises a second guiding light, rotating the manipulation lever.

In practice, several embodiments can be implemented, depending on whether the part providing the locking is either the pivotally articulated element relative to the lever or the yoke.

Thus, in the first embodiment, the locking piece is able to move between and a position in which it is retracted, and a position in which it is engaged in a housing selected from a plurality of housing. These housings are made in the part of the attachment which is movable relative to the one whose clevis is secured.

This manipulation lever comprises a zone receiving a guided part in translation which is extended by the locking piece. The relative geometry of the two guide lights of the yoke thus causes the displacement of the locking piece during the rotation of the manipulation lever.

In practice, the locking piece can adopt different geometries. Thus, in a first embodiment, this locking piece may be formed by a lug, preferably having a generally cylindrical section.

Thus, in this case, the housings made in the movable part can advantageously partially overlap and communicate. In this case, the lug can then advantageously comprise two distinct sections, namely a first section of complementary shape to the housing, and a second section of smaller dimensions allowing the transverse passage to an adjacent housing.

In other words, the displacement of the lug retracts the widest portion of the lug, while leaving engaged the smaller section of the lug, which can move from one housing to another by simple translation.

In another embodiment, the locking piece may be provided with teeth, intended to engage with complementary housings located on the movable part. In this way, the number of teeth on the moving part being greater, the locking piece can occupy several distinct positions each corresponding to a setting position of the movable part.

The locking mechanism can be designed such that the lug is screwed into a part which is firstly guided in translation in the first slot of the yoke and secondly mounted in rotation relative to the lever. manipulation. In this way, it is possible to ensure the mounting of the lug after mounting the yoke and the manipulation lever, by the opposite side to that of the lever. This screwing capacity also makes it possible to adjust the game taken by the pin as it is handled.

In this case, the end of the lug may comprise an imprint for screwing this lug with a tool during assembly or maintenance.

In the second embodiment, where the locking piece is formed by all or part of the yoke, the latter may have a face facing one of the attachment part, with which it cooperates to ensure the locking of both parts of the fixation.
In a particular embodiment, this face of the yoke is provided with teeth intended to engage with complementary housing located on the movable part of the fastener.

In practice, this adjustment system can be arranged to allow adjustment of the rear bow or the gutter relative to the base, with one or more levers for handling, arranged on one side or both sides of the 'base. Similarly, the gutter, and more particularly its points of articulation relative to the hoop can also be made adjustable thanks to the invention.

This same mechanism can also be used to allow the adjustment of the stop ensuring the inclination limitation of the rear gutter. In this case, this stop is secured or formed by a portion of the yoke. This yoke is then movable relative to the gutter, considered as the fixed part.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective sommaire éclatée d'une fixation dont l'arceau présente une capacité de réglage longitudinal par rapport à l'embase.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective sommaire de l'arceau de la fixation de la figure 1, montrée isolément de l'embase, dont seuls subsistent les mécanismes de blocage.
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la fixation de la figure 1 montrant les deux mécanismes de blocage dans des états différents.
• La figure 4 est une vue éclatée du mécanisme de blocage montré monté et démonté.
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupe du mécanisme de blocage montré dans une position respectivement de blocage et escamotée.
• Les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues en coupe d'une variante de réalisation, permettant le réglage de la butée d'inclinaison montée à l'arrière d'une gouttière de la fixation.

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

• The figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an attachment whose arch has a longitudinal adjustment capacity relative to the base.
• The figure 2 is a brief perspective view of the arch of the fixation of the figure 1 , shown in isolation from the base, of which only the locking mechanisms remain.
• The figure 3 is a top view of fixing the figure 1 showing the two blocking mechanisms in different states.
• The figure 4 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism shown mounted and disassembled.
• The Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the locking mechanism shown in a blocking and retracted position respectively.
• The Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment, allowing the adjustment of the inclination stop mounted at the rear of a gutter of the fastener.

Way of realizing the invention

The attachment (1) illustrated in figure 1 comprises generally a base (2), which is intended to be secured to the surfboard, for example by means of a central disc not shown, cooperating with an opening (3) formed in the central part of the base (2).

This base (2) comprises two lateral flanks (4, 5) rising on each side of the base, and each equipped with a slot (6, 7) inside which can slide one of the ends front (11, 12) of the rear arch (10).

To ensure the adjustment in position of this arch (10), the ends (11, 12) thereof are equipped with an elongate slot (13) longitudinally, which comprises a plurality of housing (15) of generally circular shape.

In the form illustrated in the figure 1 these housings (15) are of generally circular shape and are separated by a distance less than their diameter, so that they overlap and partially communicate.

Of course, these housings (15) can also be made directly inside the light (13) formed in the arch (10).

The locking mechanism (20) as shown exploded in the figure 1 , essentially comprises a yoke (21) which is integral with the base, and which comprises two guide slots (22, 23). This yoke (21) receives a locking lug (25), which is integral with an intermediate piece (26), of generally cylindrical shape, having two lugs (27) for guiding at its plane faces (28). These guide catches (27) are able to slide in a first guiding light (23) made in the yoke (21).

This intermediate piece (26) is disposed inside a cylindrical housing (31) of complementary shape, formed in the manipulation lever (30). This lever (30) partially penetrates into the yoke (21) and is articulated relative to the latter through an axis of rotation (33) itself penetrating into a second guiding light (22) substantially perpendicular to the first light of guiding (23).

The assembly of the arch (10) and the two locking mechanisms is illustrated in FIG. figure 2 . The mechanism (20 ') shown towards the front is in the retracted position, the opposite mechanism (20 ") being it in the locked position.

As illustrated in more detail at figure 4 , the lug is screwed into a tapping (29) made in the intermediate piece (26). This screwing can be carried out thanks to the impression (35) formed in the end of the pin (25), and which is visible through the light (36) formed in the lateral face (4) of the base and illustrated at the figure 1 .

To allow the movement of the intermediate piece (26), and thus of the lug (25) relative to the lever (30), the latter comprises an opening (37) allowing let the portion (38) of the lug (25) opposite to its zone (36) cooperating with the recesses of the arch.

More specifically, and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 , the lug (25) has in its portion (36) cooperating with the housing two different sections. The first section (40) located closest to the lever (30) has a larger diameter and corresponds to the diameter of the housings (15) made in the arch (10). The end portion (41) of the lug has a slightly smaller diameter, corresponding to the space between the walls delimiting the housing (15) of the hoop. In this way, the end portion (41) of the lug (25) can move from one housing to the other, when as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , the lug (25) is in the retracted position.

This arrangement makes it possible in particular to prevent the hoop (10) from disengaging itself from the base (2) unexpectedly, without resorting to an abutment mechanism forming an integral part of the shape of the hoop.

The figure 3 illustrates a configuration of the attachment during a setting operation. Thus, the mechanism (20 ") shown in the upper part is in the locked position, so that the lug (25") is as shown in FIG. figure 5 in its most prominent position, thus penetrating inside the housing of the arch (10) by its section of larger diameter.

When unlocking, illustrated in the mechanism (20 ') located in the lower part of the fixing of the figure 3 and at the figure 6 , the movement of the lever (30) results in a displacement of its axis of rotation (33) inside the second guide slot (22). At the same time, the axis (27) of the intermediate piece (26) is thus shifted inside the first guiding light (23) so that the lug (25) is driven outwards rollbar. Only the smaller diameter section (41) of the lug (25) remains inside the series of housings (15), thus allowing the hoop (10) to move relative to the base (2). ).

Of course, other geometries can be adapted with regard to the housing on the one hand, and the ergot, on the other hand, as long as they allow effective blocking. Thus, the cylindrical shape is of course the simplest to achieve but polygonal or other shapes can be adapted.

The locking piece can also adopt other geometries, and in particular those illustrated in FIGS. Figures 7 and 8 , corresponding to a system for adjusting the rear stop (50) of a gutter (51). Thus, the maximum inclination of the gutter (or "spoiler") is limited to the rear by the stop (50) which comes into contact with the rear end portion of the bow (10).

The height position of this stop (50) with respect to the gutter (51) thus makes it possible to vary this limit inclination.

As already mentioned, the stop (50) is considered as the moving part of the adjustment mechanism of the invention, since its position varies on the rear face of the gutter (51), considered to be fixed.

Thus, as illustrated in figure 7 the trough (51) has a vertically elongate lumen (52), through which the trough (51) can move vertically with respect to the fixed point formed by the abutment (50). More specifically, this gutter (51) moves around a horizontal axis (53) ending in a nut (54) housed in a peripheral recess (55) of the light (52). This axis (53) is associated with an intermediate piece (66) similar to the intermediate piece (26) of the figure 4 , also able to slide inside a housing (67) provided inside the lever (68).

The yoke (69) inside which can move in rotation the lever (68), is equipped on its face opposite the gutter of a toothing (70) complementary to the toothing (71) formed on the outside face of the gutter. In this way, when the control lever (68) is in the position illustrated in FIG. figure 7 , the nut (54) is in its position closest to the toothed face (70) of the yoke (69), and thus plate the complementary toothing of the gutter (71) on the stop (50).

The position of the stop is then fixed and can in no way vary.

Conversely, when the control lever (68) is moved as shown in FIG. figure 8 , the axis (53) and therefore the nut (54) are pushed relative to the yoke (69) bearing the toothing. The rear face of the gutter, supporting the complementary toothing (71) is found away from the yoke forming the stop (69). The channel (51) is therefore able to move vertically around the axis (53) to adopt the desired maximum inclination. In practice, it is possible to combine the locking by the use of lugs and housing, as well as complementary teeth.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the only examples described in detail, but covers the locking mechanisms that can equip all parts of the fastener having an adjustable position relative to another part of the fastener.

• celui d'assurer un blocage ferme et efficace, du fait de l'interpénétration importante de portion solidaire de la partie fixe à l'intérieur de logement de la partie mobile ;
• de permettre une manipulation aisée sans la nécessité d'outil, autorisant donc un réglage particulièrement rapide.

It follows from the foregoing that the binding according to the invention has many advantages, in particular:

• that of ensuring a firm and effective blocking, due to the substantial interpenetration of integral portion of the fixed portion within the housing of the movable portion;
• to allow easy handling without the need for tools, thus allowing a particularly fast adjustment.

Claims (14)

1. A snowboard binding (1) that includes two parts (2, 10) that can move relative to one another and a manually actuated mechanism (20) including an operating lever (30) and an element (25) articulated relative to the lever (30) for adjusting the position of and immobilizing the two parts (2, 10) relative to one another, characterized in that said operating lever (30) is articulated relative to a flat (21), and said element (25) is capable of moving relative to the flat (21) through the effect of the movement of the lever in order to allow or to deny the movement of the parts (2, 10) relative to one another.
2. The binding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the element (25) that is articulated relative to the lever is guided in its translational movement in the flat (21) by means of a first guide aperture (23) made in said flat (21).
3. The binding as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the flat (21) includes a second guide aperture (22) guiding the operating lever (30) in rotation.
4. The binding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the element (25) that is articulated relative to the lever forms a locking piece interacting with one of the two parts (2, 10) of the binding.
5. The binding as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the locking piece (25) is capable of moving between:

   - a position in which it is caught in a housing (15) chosen from a plurality of housings made in the part (10) of the binding that is moveable relative to the part (2) of the binding to which the flat (21) is secured; and

   - a position in which it is retracted, allowing the relative displacement of said parts (2, 10) of the binding.
6. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the locking piece is a stud (25), preferably of cylindrical cross section.
7. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the housings (15) made in the moveable part partially overlap and are in communication.
8. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the stud (25) includes two distinct sections, i.e. a first section (40) with a shape complementary to the housings (15) of the moveable part and a second section (41) allowing transverse passage toward an adjacent housing (15).
9. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the stud (25) is screwed into an intermediate piece (26) guided in translation within the first aperture (23) of the flat (21) and mounted in rotation relative to the operating lever (30).
10. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that one of the ends of the stud (25) includes an impression (35) allowing the stud to be screwed with the aid of a tool.
11. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the flat (50) forms the locking piece and has a face that comes opposite one of the parts of the binding with which it interacts, in order to lock the two parts of the binding.
12. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the face of the flat (69) is equipped with teeth (70) for engaging with complementary housings (71) located on the moveable part (51).
13. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which includes a rear heel loop that is moveable and adjustable in terms of position relative to the base plate and receives one or more operating levers.
14. The snowboard binding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that which includes, at the rear, a spoiler that is articulated relative to a rear heel loop, said spoiler being adjustable in terms of position relative to the heel loop with the aid of an operating lever.

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