EP1654947A1 - Lower leg strap - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an eyelet (15) including a guide (16) to orient a lace (14) along a direction having a vertical component. The eyelet has a lace locking device (17) with a set of teeth. An open type frame (9) to receive the lace is fixed at one end of a strap (8) whose another end is anchored to an outer upper. A pulling handle is fixed on the lace at its free end. An independent claim is also included for a ski shoe including a tightening device.

Description

The present invention relates to clamping devices of the type comprising a strap and a return element. Such clamping devices are used in particular for the lower-leg clamps in sports shoes having a high upper, but also for the instep clamps, also called PCT tightening (short perimeter of the heel).

The document FR 2 838 925 describes a ski boot according to the prior art which is equipped with such a device. The outer rod is made of a rigid shell inside which is inserted a comfort boot. The tightening of the boot on the foot of the user is achieved firstly through a main clamping device, which comprises four hooks distributed over the entire shoe from the forefoot to the top of that -this. Given the rigidity of the outer rod, it is necessary to have clamping means deploying a large force. Each of the clamping means used in this case comprises a rack, a hook that fits into one of the teeth of the rack, and a lever for handling the hook. The tightening of the shoe is performed on the other hand, with a lower leg clamping device designed to tighten the highest part of the upper of the shoe. The lower leg clamp includes a strap, which is anchored to the shaft and a metal buckle attached, typically to the medial portion at one end of the strap. The strap is on the other hand equipped with self-gripping strip portions at the other end thereof. The tightening is done by passing the free end of the strap in the loop and then fixing after tensioning the strap on itself thanks to the Velcro strips. The strap can then be clamped against the anterior portion of the outer shaft. Such manipulation is very ergonomic, and for several reasons. First, the metal loop is a closed type of return element, that is to say it must necessarily insert the free end of the strap. This type of return element requires longer handling times than the open type return elements. Then, the user is forced to pull on the strap in a direction that is not natural. Indeed, the traction exerted on the strap is in a plane perpendicular to the leg and it is exerted by a movement away from the hand. In fm clamping, when the tension is maximum, the hand is at the furthest. On the other hand, after exercising the maximum force, in a perpendicular direction, the user must maintain the tension, as best he can, and fold the end of the strap on itself, putting in contact with each other Velcro strips. It is not uncommon that during this last movement, part of the tension is lost. Another disadvantage of this type of lower-leg clamping device lies in the fact that to be able to adapt to legs having different perimeters, it is necessary that such a shoe be equipped with relatively long straps, which for a user whose leg is lame, poses the problem of storing the unused portion of the strap.

The present invention aims to provide a clamping device that allows to overcome the limitations posed by the devices known in the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is a clamping device that improves handling ergonomics.

The invention also aims at a clamping device which does not require the user to maintain the tension during passage through the deflection element.

The object of the invention is obtained by the provision of a clamping device according to claim 1, that is to say a clamping device of a shoe rod ensuring the approximation of two distinct parts of said rod and which comprises a flat strap, a deflection member, an attachment device and which is characterized in that said clamping device further comprises a lace and a guide for orienting said lace in a vertical position, and in that that the attachment device comprises a lace locking device.

Thanks to the presence of a lace associated with a strap and the presence of a guide that can change the orientation of the lace so that it is placed vertically, the traction on the clamping device according to the invention can be made in a direction with a vertical component. Such traction direction is much more ergonomic for the user because it corresponds to a movement of movement of the hand relative to the shoulder. On the other hand, the user can also use the muscle strength of his legs to give more efficiency to tightening. It should be noted that it is necessary to give a definition relating to the vertical direction and that a user who would like to perform the tightening while he is lying down would exert a pull which in absolute terms could be considered horizontal. In the present patent application, the term vertical means by reference to a shoe which is placed on a horizontal plane.

Preferably, the return member is an open pass, that is to say it allows to insert the lace while a loop is formed, not a closed loop. This feature promotes a complete opening of the clamping device and not a simple detent thereof.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de serrage selon l'art antérieur.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue de côté du dispositif de serrage de la figure 1 sous tension.
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'une version alternative du premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 5 est une vue du côté latéral d'une chaussure équipée d'un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention à l'état ouvert.
• La figure 6 est une vue du côté médial de la chaussure décrite à la figure 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue du côté latéral de la chaussure décrite à la figure 5 lorsque le dispositif de serrage est à l'état fermé.
• La figure 8 est une vue du côté médial de la chaussure lorsque le dispositif de serrage est à l'état fermé.
• Les figures 9, 10 et 11 sont des vues d'un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description to which is attached the drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamping device according to the prior art.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 3 is a side view of the clamping device of Figure 1 under tension.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative version of the first embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 5 is a side view of a shoe equipped with a second embodiment of the invention in the open state.
• Figure 6 is a view of the medial side of the shoe described in Figure 5.
• Figure 7 is a side view of the shoe depicted in Figure 5 when the clamp is in the closed state.
• Figure 8 is a view of the medial side of the shoe when the clamp is in the closed state.
• Figures 9, 10 and 11 are views of a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a shoe equipped with a clamping device according to the prior art. The clamping device comprises a strap, a deflection member and attachment means. The return element is constituted by a metal buckle attached to that of the ends of the strap which is fixed on the upper of the boot. The other end of the strap travels the periphery of the upper part of the rod and passes into said loop, it is then folded back on itself to secure it, the attachment means being constituted by self-adhesive strips. loop.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the invention. The sports shoe is a shoe 1 for the practice of alpine skiing. It comprises an outer rod 2 consisting of a shell bottom 3 surmounted by a collar 4. The bottom shell 3 is a one-piece piece obtained by injection of a plastic material. It includes a large upper opening allowing the passage of the foot. This wide opening extends in the direction of the front of the shoe by a longitudinal slot, which is covered by a pair of flaps that overlap and can move relative to each other to adjust the wrap and the clamping the bottom of the shell against the user's foot. The closure is done through two hook clamping means 5.

The collar 4 is fixed on the shell bottom 3, it comprises a medial flap 6 and a side flap 7 which overlap to ensure the wrapping of the lower leg of the user. Two hook clamping means 5 are attached to the outer flap of the collar, they face racks fixed on the inner flap of the collar.

The four clamping hook means constitute the main tightening of the shoe, they offer adequate clamping power to constrain the rigid shell of a ski boot. All of these four hook clamping means can be replaced by any other device offering the appropriate clamping power. For example, in the case of a semi-rigid outer shank the main tightening of the boot may consist of a lace or cable tightening.

The shoe 1 comprises an inner shaft 10 which is visible in the figures only the upper part and not covered by the outer rod. The inner rod 10 is in this embodiment in the form of a removable boot.

The clamping device according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a strap 8 which is anchored by the first of its ends on the outer shaft of the shoe. This is a strap made by weaving one or more materials which has sufficient flexibility to be able to wrap the upper part of the upper and in particular the front part of the boot. The choice of a woven material for making the strap is not limiting within the scope of the invention and other possibilities can be envisaged. Moreover, given the characteristics of the invention, a very large variety of straps are possible. In particular, the strap in the invention does not have to pass in the return element, it is not necessary to choose straps whose flexibility is such that we can fold on itself. We can therefore choose semi rigid straps made of plastic material.

The second end of the strap 8 is provided with a loop 9. The passer is an open type passer. It comprises a gliding lane 12 having a half-ring shape and a shield 13 which extends one of the walls of the sliding lane. The shield prevents the lace from coming out of the loop when it is energized, but also when it is weakly relaxed. A greater relaxation of the lace will, because of the open character of the passerby the exit of the lace passerby. The strap 8, between its first end and its second end belt the upper part of the rod, and at least the front portion thereof. A flange 11 is provided on the medial flap 6 to maintain the strap in position even when it is not under tension.

The clamping device also comprises a lace 14 anchored on the lateral side of the rod and an eyelet 15 receiving the lace 14. The eyelet 15 comprises two distinct and juxtaposed portions. The first of this is the guide 16 provided to orient the lace 14 in a vertical orientation. The second of these portions is a yaw lock device 17 which includes teeth which can jam the yaw when the yaw is vertically oriented and is under tension pulling it down. Of course the presence of an eyelet that combines the two functions of guide and locking device is not limiting in the context of the invention and can be replaced by two distinct elements, one having the role to change the orientation of the lace and the other to block it. It will also be understood that the blocking device need not be of the type described above. Indeed, any locking device of a lace can be used in the context of the invention, for example a cleat roller device.

Figure 3 shows the clamping device according to the first embodiment of the invention while a vertical pull is exerted on the lace 14. To facilitate traction, a pull handle is fixed on the lace at its free end. For the user, closing the clamping device is greatly simplified because it suffices to pass the portion of the lace 14 between its anchorage on the rod and the guide 16 over the shield and put it in place in the corridor. Sliding 12. Once this step is done, the actual clamping is carried out in a simple and ergonomic manner, using one hand to pull the pulling handle vertically upwards. In doing so, the lace 14 is automatically jammed in the locking device 17 of the eyelet 15.

Ancillary arrangements not shown in this figure can of course be provided to immobilize the pull handle, or to store the unused lace portion.

To loosen, it is sufficient for the user to put back, even slightly the lace under tension upward, then to change the orientation of it and finally to release the tension while keeping it oriented in a direction different from that which automatically generates in the teeth of the locking device.

To be able to fully open the locking device, in order to facilitate the removal of the foot, the user will ensure that the lace is sufficiently relaxed, and it can remove the lace 14 of the passer 9 by passing over the shield.

FIG. 4 describes an alternative version of the embodiment of the invention described in FIGS. 2 and 3. This alternative version differs from the previous one in that the loop is a removable loop 9 ', which is removably attached at the end of the strap 8. in this embodiment the complete opening of the locking device so as to make it very easy entry and removal of the foot, is done by separating the removable loop 9 'of the strap 8. The FIG. 4 precisely describes the removable passer 9 'in the disconnected position of the strap 8. The strap 8 is equipped with a male fastener 23 while the removable passer has a female fastener 24 designed to receive and retain said male fastener 23. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the removable loop 9 'is a closed type loop, so that when the removable loop 9' is disconnected from the strap 8, the lace 14 and the removable loop 9 'remain attached to one another. the other.

Figures 5 to 8 describe a second embodiment of the invention. As in the previous embodiment, the clamping device according to the invention constitutes the lower-leg tightening of a ski boot. It comprises a return element, consisting of a loop 9, which is fixed on the medial side of the rod, and a lace 14, anchored by one of its ends on the rod while its free end is attached to a handle of traction 18. The passer 9 is an open type passer.

The clamping device also comprises a strap 8, in which are formed two longitudinal tunnels. Since it is anchored in the rod, the lace 14 passes into the lower tunnel 19 from which it makes a loop before passing into the upper tunnel 20. The loop formed by the lace 14 can be as seen in FIG. passed around the passer 9.

As in the previous embodiment, the clamping device is completed by an eyelet 15 which comprises a first portion consisting of a guide 16 provided for orienting the lace 14 in a vertical orientation and a second portion consisting of a device yaw lock 17 which includes teeth which can pinch the lace when it is vertically oriented and is under tension pulling it down.

Figures 7 and 8 show the clamping device according to the second embodiment of the invention when vertical traction is exerted there. The force exerted by the lower strand of the lace, ie the strand passing in the lower tunnel, and that exerted by the upper strand is spread over a larger area thanks to the strap 8.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the clamping device comprises a strap 8 anchored to the rear of the upper part of the upper of the shoe by means of a rivet, or any other equivalent anchoring means. The longitudinal extension of this strap is such that it surrounds the lateral side of the rod and the front part thereof. At the free end of the strap 8 is fixed a lace 14.

The clamping device also comprises a return element fixed on the medial side of the rod. The return element in this embodiment is constituted by a passing / blocking handset 21 which provides a triple function, that of referral itself, that of guide and that of locking the lace.

As can be seen in Figure 10, the handset / blocker 21 comprises a first portion consisting of a guide 16 allowing the change of orientation of the lace from a substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction. When the lace 14 is in this direction, the ergonomics are optimal to allow traction on the lace 14 and thus perform the tightening of the lower leg. Ergonomics is all the more improved that a tongue 22 extends the lace 14, and that this tongue provides a better grip.

When the desired tension is obtained, a slight tilting of the lace to the front ensures the locking of the lace in the locking device 17 which is juxtaposed with the guide 16. The following tilting of the lace 14 forward allows the tongue 22 to at least partially cover the strap 8.

The strap 8, and the tongue 22 are lined with self-gripping strips, which allow to hold them one on the other and prevent loosening of the clamping device.

The few embodiments described herein have described devices placed in the highest part of the shoe, at the level of the lower leg strap. This is not limiting in the context of the invention and it will be possible, for example in the case of a ski boot hook as described in Figure 1, to replace any of the hook clamping means by a device according to the invention.

The invention is not limited to the few embodiments described above by way of example; but it covers any equivalent achievement.

NOMENCLATURE

1-

shoe

2-

stem

3-

bottom of hull

4-

necklace

5-

hook clamping means

6

medial flap

7-

side flap

8-

strap

9-

passing

9'

removable passer

10-

inner shaft

11-

flange

12-

sliding hallway

13-

shield

14-

lace

15-

eyelet

16-

guide

17-

blocking device

18-

pull handle

19-

lower tunnel

20-

upper tunnel

21-

handset / blocker

22-

tongue

23-

male fastener

24-

female fastener

Claims (7)

Device for clamping a rod (2) Shoe ensuring that they move two distinct from said shaft portion and which comprises a strap (8), a deflecting element, a traction device, characterized in that said clamping device further comprises a lace (14) and a guide (16) for orienting said lace (14) in a direction having a vertical component, and in that the hooking device comprises a lace lock (17) . Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that said deflection element is a loop (9) provided to receive said lace and in that said loop (9) is an open-type passer. Clamping device according to claim 2, characterized in that said locking device (17) of the lace comprises a plurality of teeth. Clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that said strap (8) is anchored at one of its ends on said rod (2) and in that said loop (9) is fixed at the other end thereof . Clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that said lace (14) is anchored on a first side of the rod (2), in that said loop (9) is fixed on a second side of the rod (2). ), in that said guide (16) and said locking device (17) of the lace are fixed on said first side and in that the lace (14) passes through a lower tunnel (19) formed in the strap (8) between the anchor and the loop (9) and in an upper tunnel (20) between the loop (9) and the guide (16). Clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that said strap (8) is anchored on a first side of the rod (2) and in that said passer (9) i, said guide (16) and said locking device (17) of the lace are fixed on the second side of the rod (2). Winter sports shoe equipped with a plurality of hooks (5) and a clamping device according to one of the preceding claims placed on the top of the rod so as to ensure the tightness of the lower leg.

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