EP2414057B1 - Snowboard binding with asymetric highback - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a snowboard binding according to the preamble of claim 1. Such bindings are also referred to as "soft binding" or "shell binding", as they are intended to be used with relatively soft snowboard boots and have high flexibility, as for example so-called "freestyle drivers" is desired. In contrast, the present invention does not relate to so-called "hard bonds" in which a relatively hard ski boot or a ski boot-like snowboard boot is fixed by engaging projections or recesses on or in the hard sole of the boot in the binding.

The binding according to the invention serves to fix a snowboard boot on a snowboard. It is designed as a so-called rear entry binding and includes a leg rest, which can be pivoted between a rear entry position in which a shoe can be particularly easily inserted from back to front into the snowboard binding or in the opposite direction out of the binding, and a forward driving position is articulated. In this manner known per se a very comfortable entry and exit is made possible in or out of the binding.

The usual in such snowboard bindings leg rest, which is also referred to as "highback" or "rear spoiler" serves to the back of the snowboard boot or the fibula of a snowboarder after support the rear. In this case, the leg support is pivotally mounted about an axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the base plate, in order to be able to set a specific angle of inclination, which defines the so-called template of the lower leg of a snowboarder. The inclination angle of the legrest can usually be adjusted for the driver's desired driving position.

In the driving position, the legrest is fixed by a suitable locking device or suitable locking means. To get out of the snowboard binding, the locking device or the locking means are released, so that the legrest folded back back into the open position or entry position and the shoe can be pulled out of the binding. The locking means may comprise at least one traction means which surrounds the leg support, in particular a cable pull, which can be tensioned by a locking lever for fixing a shoe.

Furthermore, the pivotability can advantageously also be used so that the legrest, which protrudes in practice in normal driving position about 20 to 30 cm from the snowboard surface, can be folded forward on the surface of the snowboard so that they during transport and storage of the Snowboards less disturbing.

In contrast, the present invention does not relate to such "soft bindings" in which the back leg rest is fixed, which is especially known for bindings with a heel bar, also referred to as a heel cup.

The binding according to the invention furthermore comprises a row element and / or at least one instep element, by which a shoe accommodated in the snowboard binding can be fixed in conjunction with the leg support.

A binding according to the preamble of claim 1 is from the document US 2007/0158929 A1 or from the DE 20 2008 000 714 U1 or even from the DE 103 05 764 A1 known. In this case, a shoe to be fixed in the binding is clamped between two side cheeks situated on the binding base plate on the right and left and between a front toe element and the leg support articulated at the rear. For blocking the legrest in the driving position while locking means are provided which comprise a pivotally hinged on the back of the legrest locking lever, which in particular can cooperate with a attached to fixed parts of the binding cable.

In this binding, as with other known rear entry snowboard bindings, the leg support is arranged symmetrically to a median plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the binding and perpendicular to the binding base plate. This means that, at least in its forward driving position, the legrest extends substantially straight or vertically upwards in a viewing direction running in the longitudinal direction of the binding.

When using the bindings on a snowboard, however, the legs of the snowboarder are always slightly spread in the form of a straddle. This means that there is always a certain inclination of the driver's legs inwards. Due to this inclination, optimum support of the driver's calf legs is not possible with a symmetrical alignment of the legrest. Another disadvantage is that depending on the angle of the inclination of the legs a symmetrically or straight up-oriented legrest can also lead to punctual pressure loads that are perceived by the driver as disturbing or even certain painful driving figures as painful.

On a freestyle snowboard, the driver's legs are often also angled outwards, so that even here with a symmetrical alignment of the leg supports no optimal support the calf legs of the driver is possible. Again, it may then come to pressure loads through the legrest, which are felt by freestyle drivers in particular Fahrfiguren as painful.

From the DE 201 01 389 U1 is known a snowboard binding, wherein the leg support has at least one laterally projecting portion which can come with its inner surface on one side of the shank of a fixed in the binding shoe for investment. However, this snowboard binding is not usable as a Heckeinstiegs binding due to a continuous rigid heel strap. Getting into the binding and getting out of the binding is therefore relatively uncomfortable and associated with a correspondingly high effort when closing or opening formed as an instep element and toe tethers.

From the US 2007/158929 A1 is a Heckeinstiegs snowboard binding known in which the legrest modular is composed of several parts. In this case, the individual parts of the legrest can adjust in particular against the force of a return spring relative to each other. Only during such a deflection, the legrest can project with its displaced module part to one side to the outside than to the opposite side.

From the WO 2004/073811 A1 is known a snowboard binding with a rear-folding legrest, which is held in its forward driving position by a split heel strap (split heel cup). Both parts of this heel strap are hinged to a respective side cheek of the binding base plate, so that they can be pivoted away to the outside to release the legrest and fold it back. To hold the folded legrest can be arranged on a part of the heel strap with its free end forwardly facing locking lever, through which a cable attached to the other part of the heel strap from behind against the legrest is tensionable. This locking lever is articulated about a vertically extending pivot axis on the one part of the heel strap and thus indirectly on the base plate of the binding.

Object of the present invention is to provide a structurally simple and inexpensive to produce snowboard binding, which ensures comfortable rear entry support a particularly good back support the legs of a user and avoids unpleasant pressure loads, and at the same time particularly easy when opening and closing the binding and comfortable to use.

This object is achieved by a snowboard binding according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

It is essential in the solution according to the invention that the legrest at least in the folded forward driving position with respect to a median plane of the binding, which runs in the longitudinal direction of the binding base plate and centrally between the two lateral pivot points of the leg support perpendicular to the binding base plate, laterally to the right or to left side, here referred to as the first side, protrudes further outward than the opposite other side, which is referred to here as the second side. The folding legrest therefore has a different asymmetric orientation from the central course.

It is also essential in the inventive solution that the pivotally hinged to the back of the legrest locking lever extends with its formed by its free end free operating area to one side protruding away from the main extension direction and from the center line of the legrest, the free End of the operating range of the locking lever projects to one side and / or up over the side edge of the legrest.

A significant advantage of the snowboard binding according to the invention is that the legrest can adapt much better to the inclination of the legs of a snowboarder due to the tilting to one side orientation. As a result, optimal support is always ensured even when the grate-shaped alignment of the legs of a driver. As uncomfortable perceived high local pressure loads on the fibula can be avoided. At the same time, the possibility given by the comfortable rear entry of a particularly simple entry into the binding and easy disembarkation from the bond is maintained. These advantages apply both to an inwardly inclined leg position as well as for a possible in particular Freestylers inclination of the legs away from each other to the outside.

At the same time a significant simplification of the operation of the locking means is achieved by extending from the legrest orientation of the free operating range of the locking lever, since the driver does not have to reach around so far around his leg to capture the locking lever and operate. Such an asymmetrical design of the locking lever therefore leads to a further increase in comfort of the binding, which represents a further significant advantage of the snowboard binding according to the invention.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking lever pivotally hinged to the back of the legrest extends laterally in a direction away from the legrest with its free operating area formed by its free end projecting to the second side, which of the the first side facing away from the leg support with respect to the aforementioned median plane of the binding further outwardly.

That is, for example, the free operating portion of the lock lever protrudes to the right with respect to the legrest when the legrest itself projects leftward with respect to the center plane of the binding. The locking lever is also formed asymmetrically with respect to the legrest. In this embodiment, the locking lever is particularly easy to reach by the snowboard driver.

The advantage of a particularly comfortable operation of the binding is particularly noticeable when the locking lever extends in a direction which protrudes with respect to the longitudinal center plane of the binding to the side facing away from the first side, to which the legrest respect this middle plane of the binding protrudes further outward. The locking lever can then be taken very light, since it then laterally protrudes further.

It is preferably proposed that the actuation region of the locking lever extends in a central direction which forms an angle to the central direction of the upper end region of the leg support, which is between 15 ° and 70 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °, which is particularly simple Detecting the locking lever is also allowed with thicker gloves.

It is also particularly advantageous if the locking lever has an overall curved arcuate shape. As a result, an ergonomically particularly favorable shape is achieved, which is particularly easy to take.

It is particularly advantageous in this case if an areal greater proportion of the contact surface of the legrest lying in the front driving position on the back of a shoe or on the fibula of a driver is present the first side of the median plane of the binding is located. The legrest has an asymmetrical shape, which is adapted to the driver's leg position.

A particularly good adaptation to the inclination of the driver's legs can thereby be achieved in that the upper end portion of the leg support extends to the first side in a direction which forms an angle to the median plane of the binding, between 3 ° and 40 °, preferably between 10 ° and 25 °.

It is furthermore particularly advantageous if the two lateral articulation points of the legrest define a pivot axis which runs parallel to the binding base plate. Preferably, these two lateral articulation points of the leg support lie on the two side walls of the binding, between which a shoe which fixes in the binding is received. In an alternative embodiment of the binding, however, the pivot axis of the legrest can also run at an angle obliquely to the binding base plate, wherein this angle can be fixed or preferably also adjustable.

It is favorable, furthermore, if the pivot axis of the locking lever runs parallel to the pivot axis of the legrest, wherein both pivot axes preferably run parallel to the binding base plate. Alternatively, it is also possible that the two pivot axes of the locking lever and the legrest are inclined at an angle to each other, so as to ensure a particularly good accessibility of the free end portion of the locking lever, in particular in coordination with the shape of the locking lever for the user.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that the legrest in addition to their pivoting forward or rearward additionally pivoted or tilted about a second axis, which is at least substantially perpendicular to Base plate of the binding is aligned. By thus achievable slight inclination of the legrest this can be approximated in an advantageous manner to the flight of the longitudinal edges of a snowboard or even aligned parallel thereto. Independently of this, the asymmetrical deflection of the legrest according to the invention is preserved to one side.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one articulation point of the legrest can be moved forward or backward in a direction on the legrest that extends at least approximately parallel to the base plate of the binding in the folded up in the front driving position legrest. By suitable locking means, the pivot point can then be blocked in a position desired by the user. Preferably, both articulation points of the legrest are displaceably mounted on both sides.

A particularly simple and at the same time robust construction can be achieved in that the displaceable articulation point of the legrest comprises an adjustment screw which is rotatable on the outside of the binding and is screwed into an adjusting nut which is arranged in a longitudinal recess of the legrest extends in the direction in which the pivot points can be moved.

The locking means for blocking the Anlenkpunkts in a desired position can be particularly easily and effectively formed by a toothing and counter-toothing, which is effective between the adjusting nut and the legrest. The teeth so when tightening the screw to a positive fit of the adjusting nut in the longitudinal recess, which is canceled when loosening the screw, so that the screw and nut can then be moved relative to the legrest, which leads by pivoting to the desired inclination of the legrest ,

In particular, the present invention relates to a set of left and right bindings consisting of two rear entry snowboard bindings in which the leg supports of the two bindings protrude further outward with respect to the respective medial plane of the binding, respectively, to opposite sides. The two bindings of the set are mirror images of each other, which, regardless of which binding is mounted on the front or back of a snowboard, always allows optimal support of both legs of the snowboarder.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a snowboard provided with two bindings of the type described above, in which the bindings are mounted such that the two leg supports project laterally further relative to the respective center plane of the binding in each case towards the respective other binding.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Figur 1:

Schematische Darstellung eines Snowboards mit zwei herkömmlichen Heckeinstiegs-Snowboardbindungen gemäß Stand der Technik;

Figur 2:

Schematische Darstellung eines Snowboards mit zwei erfindungsgemäßen Heckeinstiegs-Snowboardbindungen;

Figur 3:

Rückansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Snowboardbindung;

Figur 4:

Teilansicht einer Ausführungsvariante einer erfindungsgemäßen Snowboardbindung von oben;

Figur 5:

seitliche Teilansicht der Ausführungsvariante aus Figur 4;

Figur 6:

Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A aus Figur 5 im bezüglich der Schwenkbarkeit um eine senkrechte Achse blockierten Zustand der Beinstütze;

Figur 7:

Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A aus Figur 5 im bezüglich der Schwenkbarkeit um eine senkrechte Achse freigegebenen Zustand der Beinstütze; und

Figur 8:

Schematische Darstellung eines Snowboards mit zwei Snowboardbindungen gemäß Figur 4.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

Schematic representation of a snowboard with two conventional rear entry snowboard bindings according to the prior art;

FIG. 2:

Schematic representation of a snowboard with two rear entry snowboard bindings according to the invention;

FIG. 3:

Rear view of a snowboard binding according to the invention;

FIG. 4:

Partial view of a variant of a snowboard binding according to the invention from above;

FIG. 5:

partial side view of the embodiment variant FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6:

Section view along the section line AA FIG. 5 in relation to the pivotability about a vertical axis blocked state of the legrest;

FIG. 7:

Section view along the section line AA FIG. 5 in relation to the pivotability about a vertical axis released state of the legrest; and

FIG. 8:

Schematic representation of a snowboard with two snowboard bindings according to FIG. 4 ,

The two on the in FIG. 1 shown snowboard 1 mounted snowboard bindings 2 are executed symmetrically in the previously known embodiment. The two leg supports 3 extend up to their upper end portions 4 substantially straight and viewed from the rear perpendicular to the respective base plate 5 of the binding 2 upwards. The locking levers 6 respectively mounted on the rear side of the leg supports 3 also run symmetrically upwards in the center of the leg supports 3.

It can clearly be seen that the legs 7 of the driver are placed at a certain Grätschenstellung obliquely inward, and that thereby no optimal support of the legs 7 is given by the two leg supports 3.

In contrast, the two are in FIG. 2 shown snowboard bindings 2 according to the invention designed asymmetrically. The two leg supports 3 each extend obliquely inwards towards the respective other binding 2, so that they tilt the legs 7 of the Adapted, which ensures a significantly improved support of the calf legs. At least the upper portions of the leg supports are inclined to the inner side lying here first side.

At the same time, the locking levers 6 respectively mounted on the rear side of the leg supports 3 are designed asymmetrically, in each case running obliquely outward, ie opposite to the direction of the inclination of the respective leg support 3. As a result, the driver no longer has to grasp his leg 7 so far around in order to be able to reach the locking levers 6, which leads to a clear simplification of the operation of the snowboard binding 2. Overall, the locking lever 6, which cooperate in a conventional manner, each with a fixed to a fixed part of the binding 2 cable 31, each arc-shaped outwardly curved.

In FIG. 3 an enlarged rear view of a snowboard binding 2 according to the invention is shown, in which the legrest 3 is in the folded forward driving position. The leg support 3 is articulated on the two side cheeks 8 in two articulation points 9, which define a pivot axis 10 which runs parallel to the binding base plate 5. The reference numeral 11 here denotes the median plane of the binding 2, which runs in the longitudinal direction of the binding base plate 5 and is perpendicular to the binding base plate 5 centrally between the two lateral articulation points 9. With respect to this center plane 11, the legrest 3 is inclined laterally to the right, so that an areal greater proportion of the legrest 3 to the right side 12R, which here forms the first side, projects outwardly than to the left side 12L.

The lateral projection of the leg support 3 to the rear side 12R viewed from the rear is here designed such that the center of the upper end region 4 of the leg support 3 extends in a direction 13 which forms an angle α of 15 ° with respect to the center plane 11.

The pivotally hinged on the back of the legrest 3 locking lever 6 extends with its free operating portion 14 laterally inclined to the left of the legrest 3 away. He is therefore also asymmetrical. Overall, the average longitudinal extent of the locking lever 6 extends in the direction 15, which forms an angle β of 30 ° with the central direction 13 of the upper end portion 4 of the leg support 3. The locking lever 6 has a generally S-shaped curved course, with its inner or lower region 16, viewed from behind, initially curved to the left, followed by the arcuate, rightwardly curved actuating region 14 of the locking lever 6, which adjoins the outside.

The free end of the actuation region 14 of the locking lever 6 projects completely to the left over the left side edge 17 or upwards beyond the upper side edge 18 of the leg support 3.

The pivot axis 19 of the locking lever 6 here runs parallel to the pivot axis 10 of the legrest 3, so that both pivot axes 10 and 19, despite the asymmetrical formations of the legrest 3 and the locking lever 6, extend parallel to the binding base plate 5.

In the in the FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrated embodiment of a binding 2 according to the invention, the legrest 3 can also be pivoted about an axis 20 standing perpendicular to the base plate 5, which then leads to a slight inclination of the legrest 3. In this way, the leg supports 3 of a pair of bindings 2 mounted on a snowboard 1 can be adjusted so that FIG. 8 shown the leg supports 3 are each aligned at least substantially parallel to the side edge 21 of the snowboard 1 ( FIG. 8 ). In addition, the two leg supports 3 continue to be deflected asymmetrically, wherein the two leg supports 3 with respect to the respective center plane 11 of the binding 2 in each case in the direction of the respective other binding 2, in FIG. 8 So towards the middle of the snowboard 1 out laterally project further.

At the two articulation points 9 of the legrest 3, in each case an adjusting screw 22 is provided, which extends coaxially to the first pivot axis 10 of the legrest 3. This adjusting screw 22 is in each case screwed into an elongated adjusting nut 23, which rotatably rests in a longitudinal recess 24, which is formed in the front end of the Anlenkschenkels 25 of the legrest 3. This longitudinal recess 24 extends parallel to the base plate 5, when the legrest 3 is folded up in the front driving position.

Between the bottom of the longitudinal recess 24 and the opposite side of the adjusting nut 23 positively acting toothing means 26, 27 are provided, which serve here as locking means 28 for blocking the displaceable Anlenkpunkts 9 in a position desired by the user ( FIG. 6 ). When the adjusting screw 22 is released, the teeth 26 and 27 are disengaged and the respective articulation limb 25 can be displaced along the direction 29 forward or backward, whereby the associated pivot point 9 of the leg support 3 moves accordingly backwards or forwards and viewed from above leads to a desired inclination or pivoting of the legrest 3 along the direction 30 ( FIG. 7 ). Subsequently, the adjusting screw 22 is tightened again, whereby the teeth 26 and 27 are again brought into positive engagement and fix the respective pivot point 9 again, without blocking the pivoting of the legrest 3 about the horizontal main pivot axis 10 ( FIG. 6 ).

Claims (15)

1. A rear entry snowboard binding (2) with a leg support (3) that is pivotably hinged to a binding base plate (5) on the right side and on the left side, and can be pivoted between a rear entry position, in which a shoe accommodatable in the snowboard binding (2) can be introduced from back to front into the snowboard binding (2), and a front riding position, wherein locking means are provided for blocking the leg support (3) in the riding position, and encompass a locking lever (6) pivotably hinged to the back side of the leg support (3),
   wherein, at least in the riding position, the leg support (3) protrudes further outwardly toward a first side (12R) than toward the opposing second side (12L) relative to a central plane (11) of the binding (2) that runs in the longitudinal direction of the binding base plate (5) and is situated perpendicularly on the binding base plate (5) centrally between the two lateral hinging points (9) of the leg support (3),
   characterized in that
   a free actuating area (14) of the locking lever (6) pivotably hinged to the back side of the leg support (3) extends laterally away from the leg support (3),
   wherein the free end of the actuating area (14) of the locking lever (6) protrudes over the lateral edge (17, 18) of the leg support (3) to the side and/or at the top.
2. The binding according to claim 1, characterized in that a free actuating area (14) of the locking lever (6) pivotably hinged to the back side of the leg support (3) extends in a direction (15) laterally away from the leg support (3) protruding toward the side (12L) facing away from the first side (12R), toward which the leg support (3) protrudes further outwardly relative to the central plane (11) of the binding (2).
3. The binding according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking lever (6) extends in a direction (15) that, relative to the central plane (11) of the binding (2), protrudes toward the side (12L) facing away from the first side (12R), toward which the leg support (3) protrudes further outwardly relative to the central plane (11) of the binding (2).
4. The binding according to claim 1, characterized in that a free actuating area (14) of the locking lever (6) pivotably hinged to the back side of the leg support (3) extends in a direction (15) laterally away from the leg support (3) protruding toward the same side (12R) toward which the leg support (3) also protrudes further outwardly relative to the central plane (11) of the binding (2).
5. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating area (14) of the locking lever (6) runs in a direction (15) that confines an angle (β) lying between 15° and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, relative to a direction (13) in which the upper end area (4) of the leg support (3) extends.
6. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking lever (6) has an arched or S-curved shape overall.
7. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a higher percentage of the contact surface of the leg support (3) lying flat against the back side of a shoe and/or a leg (7) of a rider in the riding position is on the first side (12R) of the central plane (11) of the binding (2).
8. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper end area (4) of the leg support (3) runs toward the first side (12R) in a direction (13) that confines an angle (α) relative to the central plane (11) of the binding (2) lying between 3° and 40°, preferably between 10° and 25°.
9. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two lateral hinging points (9) of the leg support (3) define a pivoting axis (10) running parallel to the binding base plate (5), wherein the pivoting axis (19) of the locking lever (6) preferably runs parallel to the pivoting axis (10) of the leg support (3).
10. The binding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg support (3) is pivotably mounted to the binding (2) around a second axis (20), which is aligned at least essentially perpendicular to the base plate (5) of the binding (2).
11. The binding according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one hinging point (9) of the leg support (3) is situated on the leg support (3) so that it can move in a direction (29) running at least approximately parallel to the base plate (5) of the binding (2) with the leg support (3) folded up in the front riding position, wherein fixing means (28) are provided for blocking the hinging point (9) in a desired position.
12. The binding according to claim 11, characterized in that the movable hinging point (9) of the leg support (3) encompasses an adjusting screw (22) arranged on a side bolster (8) of the binding (2), which is screwed into an adjusting nut (23) arranged in a longitudinal recess (24) of the leg support (3) extending in the direction (29) of movability for the hinging points (9).
13. The binding according to claim 12, characterized in that the fixing means (28) for blocking the hinging point (9) in a desired position are formed by a tooth system (26) and counter-tooth system (27) that acts between the adjusting nut (23) and leg support (3).
14. A set with two rear entry snowboard bindings (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg supports (3) of the two bindings (2) protrude further outwardly relative to the respective central plane (11) of the binding (2) toward respectively opposing sides (12R, 12L).
15. A snowboard with two rear entry snowboard bindings (2) mounted thereto according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the leg supports (3) of the two bindings (2) protrude further laterally relative to the respective central plane (11) of the binding (2) in the respective direction toward the respective other binding (2).

Images