EP2724759B1 - Sliding device and assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gliding device and a gliding assembly comprising two such devices, intended to be used together.

The invention relates to skis used in pairs, independently of one another. The skier fixes a ski on each of his feet, unlike other skiing practices such as monoskiing or snowboarding where the skier's two feet are fixed on the same gliding board.

The invention relates to the field of ski touring or cross country skiing, in which the front of the boot pivots so as to allow the elevation of the heel above the ski to reproduce the movement of walking while promoting the sliding of the ski on the snow continuously.

DE-C1-199 17,960 discloses a gliding device comprising a touring ski, and an elastic link which connects the front of the ski to the shoe, at the ankle. When using such a gliding device, each time the user rests his heel on the gliding board, the elastic link tends and stores energy which is then restored when the user raises his heel. In this way, the elastic link helps the skier, in that it facilitates the heel lift through the energy stored in the elastic link.

The elastic link is difficult to implement. Indeed, it is a question of finding a compromise between a stiffness large enough to store energy and low enough to allow the ascent and descent of the heel. In addition, the adjustment of the length of the elastic link according to the weight of the skier is delicate. The service life of this system is limited, especially for low temperatures. In addition, this device does not value the energy generated by the deformation of the spatula before the ski is flexed when the skier rests his heel on the ski.

On the other hand, such a device, to be used, not only to ride, but also to descend, must be used with traditional alpine ski boots, that is to say a shoe that includes means of rear support. The rear support means of a ski boot are the means that prevent the rearward tilting of the skier. These means are mechanical and given the significant effort that can be involved during the practice of skiing, they are bulky, heavy and especially also significantly hinder forward bending.

It is to these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a gliding device which provides assistance for the skier's advance, easy to adjust and adjust, having a satisfactory life and making it possible to use the energy generated by the deformation of the gliding board. The invention also aims to allow skiing with a lighter and more flexible material, especially with regard to shoes.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a gliding device comprising: a gliding board, means for attaching a boot to the gliding board, the fastening means comprising a retaining device which allows the rotation of the board; shoe about an axis transverse to the gliding board, traction means of a spatula of the gliding board and fastening means connecting said traction means to the shoe of the user. This gliding device is characterized in that the traction means are not elastic and in that the gliding device further comprises a device for adjusting the length of the traction means.

Thanks to the invention, when the skier rests his heel on the gliding board, the fastening means which connect the traction means to the boot have the effect of lifting the spatula of the ski, and when the skier raises his heel, the spatula of the gliding board is released and moves down, propelling the shoe forward, which helps the skier to advance. In addition, the link is easy to adjust depending on the weight of the skier, simply adjusting its length.

• les moyens de traction sont constitués par un lien formé par une cordelette ou un câble métallique ;
• une zone centrale de la planche de glisse est cambrée lorsqu'aucune action mécanique extérieure n'est exercée sur la planche de glisse et la cambrure diminue lorsque le poids du skieur repose sur la planche de glisse ;
• les moyens de traction sont attachés au niveau de l'extrémité avant de la planche de glisse ;
• les moyens d'attache sont constitués par une sangle qui est fixée à la chaussure au niveau du bas de jambe ou de la cheville de l'utilisateur ;
• le dispositif comprend au moins une poulie qui coopère avec les moyens de traction pour former un mouflage ;
• la poulie est située au voisinage de l'extrémité avant de la planche de glisse ;
• des moyens de guidage des moyens de traction sont fixés à la planche de glisse devant le dispositif de retenue ;
• le dispositif de réglage autorise une longueur des moyens de traction suffisamment faible pour qu'ils maintiennent un talon de la chaussure au-dessus de la planche de glisse, en particulier lorsque tout le poids du skieur tend à plaquer la chaussure contre la planche de glisse ;
• le dispositif comprend une sangle amovible d'accrochage des moyens de traction à la chaussure, autour de la cheville.

According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a device may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination:

• the traction means are constituted by a link formed by a cord or a wire rope;
• a central zone of the gliding board is arched when no external mechanical action is exerted on the gliding board and the camber decreases when the weight of the skier rests on the gliding board;
• the traction means are attached at the front end of the gliding board;
• the attachment means are constituted by a strap which is attached to the shoe at the lower leg or ankle of the user;
• the device comprises at least one pulley which cooperates with the traction means to form a haul;
• the pulley is located in the vicinity of the front end of the gliding board;
• guide means of the traction means are fixed to the gliding board in front of the retaining device;
• the adjustment device allows a length of the traction means sufficiently small to maintain a heel of the boot above the gliding board, especially when the entire weight of the skier tends to press the shoe against the board of gliding ;
• the device comprises a removable strap for hooking the traction means to the shoe, around the ankle.

The invention also relates to a sliding assembly comprising two sliding devices according to one of the preceding claims, intended to be used together.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif de glisse, dans une première position où le talon d'une chaussure du skieur est relevé ; et
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté du dispositif de glisse de la figure 1, dans une deuxième position où le talon d'une chaussure du skieur repose à plat sur la planche de glisse.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of a gliding device according to the invention, given solely by way of example and with reference in the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a gliding device, in a first position where the heel of a skier's boot is raised; and
• the figure 2 is a side view of the gliding device of the figure 1 in a second position where the heel of a skier's shoe rests flat on the gliding board.

The Figures 1 and 2 show a gliding device 1 comprising a gliding board 2. In this case, it is a cross-country ski, intermediate practice between Nordic skiing and ski touring.

When using the gliding device 1, a second identical gliding device 1 is used and the skier has its two feet each connected to a ski 2, independently.

The ski 2 comprises a sliding surface or sole 21 intended to come into contact with the snow, as well as an upper surface 22 opposite to the sole 21. The ski 2 extends longitudinally between a front end 23A and a rear end 23B. A front portion 24 of the ski 2, called a spatula, is raised naturally when no external mechanical action is applied to the gliding device 1.

Fastening means 3 of a boot 4 are fixed to the ski 2, at a central zone 25 of the upper surface 22. The fastening means 3 comprise a base 31 on which a sole 41 of the boot 4 rests. , and a front retainer 32 which allows the attachment of a front end 411 of the sole 41 of the boot 4, while allowing the rotation of the shoe 4 about a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the direction 2. The retaining device 32 allows the heel 410 to rise and fall from the boot 4, with respect to the ski 2.

Traction means formed by a non-elastic link 5 connect the shoe 4 to the ski 2. By "non-elastic" means that the length of the link 5 does not vary or almost not when applied to a tensile force. For example, we can consider that a link whose length does not vary more than 4% when it applies a tensile force of an intensity of 80 N, is not elastic. The link 5 is for example constituted by a cord or a wire rope.

The link 5 has a fixed end 53 removably attached to the retainer 32. The other end 54 of the link 5 is movable and is attached to the shoe 4 at the ankle. The middle part of link 5 is attached at the front end 23A of the ski 2, by means of an assembly device 7 which comprises a pulley 71 which cooperates with the link 5, so as to form a hafting. The link 5 thus comprises a first part 51 which extends between its fixed end 53 and the pulley 71, as well as a second part 52 which extends between the pulley 71 and the boot 4.

The assembly device 7 also comprises a connecting element 72 which connects the pulley 71 to a fastening element 73 of the assembly device 7 to the ski 2. In the example shown in the figures, the connecting element 72 is constituted by a cord and the fastening element 73 is formed by a metal piece threaded around the front end 23A of the ski 2. More specifically, the fastening element 73 is formed by a rigid metal wire forming a generally closed rectangular outline, the dimensions of which are adapted so that it is threaded around the front end 23A of the ski 2, in the manner of a hook immobilizing a seal skin on a ski touring. Given the tapered shape of the front end 23A of the ski 2, the attachment element 73 remains blocked at this end 23A when an external force tends to bring it to the boot 4.

The length of the connecting element 72 is chosen such that the pulley 72 is situated in the vicinity of the front end 23A, that is to say in the forward third of the ski 2, preferably in the spatula zone or else in the 10% before the length of the ski.

The mobile end 54 of the link 5 cooperates with a device 6 for adjusting the length of the link 5. For example, the adjusting device 6 is formed by a cleat. By link length 5 is meant the length between the fixed end 53 of the link 5 and the adjusting device 6.

The attachment means are constituted by a strap 9, removable and adjustable in length which is attached around the shoe 4, at the ankle, and which has two eyelets 91 for the passage of a fastening element 8 which connects the strap 9 to the adjusting device 6. In the example shown in the figures, the fastening element 8 is formed by a third portion 55 of the link 5, which protrudes beyond the adjusting device 6 and forms a loop.

Other attachment means may be used to attach the traction means to the user's leg. One can use for example a hook that is directly attached to the shoe.

A guide element 10 of the link 5 is fixed to the upper surface 22 of the ski 2, in front of the retaining device 32. The guide element 10 plates the first portion 51 of the link 5 against the ski 2. This is example of a pulley.

In the configuration of the figure 1 , the ski 2 rests on a flat surface S and horizontal. The boot 4 exerts little or no effort on the link 5 and the front end 23A of the ski 2 is raised by a non-zero height H1 with respect to the surface S.

When the skier rests his heel 410 on the gliding board 2, as represented by the arrow F1, at the figure 1 , the shoe 4 arrives in the configuration of the figure 2 where it applies a traction force T on the link 5. The link 5 then pulls on the device 7, so that the front end 23A of the ski 2 is raised, as represented by the arrow F2 at the figure 2 . Thus, when the boot 4 pulls on the link 5, the height H2 between the front end 23A of the ski 2 and the surface S is greater than the height H1 of the figure 1 .

In the configuration of the figure 2 , the spatula 24 of the ski 2 is under tension, which deforms it in flexion. Energy is thus stored in the ski 2, which is slightly elastic. Then, when the skier lifts his heel 410 again, the tensile force T decreases, which allows the front end 23A of the ski 2 to descend, releasing the energy stored by the ski 2. Under the effect of the release of stored energy, the ski finds its camber, and it tends to rise. The release of the energy also propels the heel 410 of the boot 4 upwards. All of these effects help to reduce the amount of effort that the skier must provide during the active phase of his step, which helps him to progress.

The link 5 is removable, which allows to use the ski 2 in a conventional manner when the skier wishes, especially downhill.

The ski 2 is arched, that is to say that in the position of the figure 1 when no external mechanical action is exerted on the gliding device 1, the central portion 25 of the ski 2 is raised relative to the surface S.

The sole 21 of the ski 2 is generally provided with reliefs or a removable seal skin which increases the grip of the ski 2 on the snow. In the position of the figure 2 when the weight of the skier is resting on the ski 2, the central part of the ski 2 is in contact with the surface S. In this way, the pressure of the sole 21 of the ski 2 is greater, which generates a better ski 2 hangs on the snow, especially uphill.

The compression of the central portion of the ski 2 can store energy in the ski 2, since it is slightly elastic. When the skier begins to lift his heel, the central portion 25 of the ski 2 is lifted, which releases the stored energy and generates a vertical pulse slightly directed forward. The ski 2 is then released from the adhesion to which it was subjected when the sole 21 was pressed on the surface S. This release is achieved without requiring additional effort on the part of the skier. When the skier continues to raise his heel, the stored energy continues to be restored, which facilitates the skier's progress.

Thanks to the haulage performed by the assembly device 7, the tensile force T applied to the ski 2 by the skier is multiplied by two, which increases the energy stored. Alternatively, the link 5 has several or no hauls.

The adjustment means 6 make it possible to adjust the intensity of the traction force T easily, particularly as a function of the weight of the skier, without having to dismount the gliding device 1. It is also possible to relax the link 5 until it no longer exerts traction force T, which makes it possible to switch to a traditional sliding practice without dismounting link 5. Furthermore, in the climbing phase, the adjustment of the length of the link 5 also makes it possible to adjust the height H1, which makes it possible to adapt the height H1 as a function of the reliefs of the ground or the height of the snow. Also, depending on the stiffness of the ski, adjusting the length of the link 5 sufficiently short may have the effect that even at the height of the heel 410 downhill F1 direction, it fails to touch the ski. Thus, the traction means act as a climbing wedge, that is to say means maintaining the heel at a certain height in its movement in the direction F1.

During the descent phase, the heel is then held on the ski by the skier himself. In this phase, the traction means prevent the rocking of the skier's leg towards the rear. Thus the traction means act as rear support means. Advantageously, the overall slide according to the invention can be used with a shoe much more flexible and lightweight than the ski boots usually used for skiing. For example, the shoe 4 shown is a shoe 42 flexible stem, simply equipped with a collar 43 light that does not offer a rear support as strong as that which is accustomed a downhill ski skier.

Claims (10)

1. Snowsports device (1) comprising:

   - a snowsports board (2),

   - binding means (3) for a boot (4) on the snowsports board (2), the binding means (3) comprising a retaining device (32) which allows the boot (4) to rotate about an axes (Y) transverse to the snowsports board (2),

   - means (5) for pulling on the shovel (24) of the snowsports board (2),

   - means (9) for attaching said pulling means (5) to the boot of a user,

   characterized in that the pulling means (5) are not elastic and in that the snowsports device (1) further comprises a device (6) for adjusting the length of the pulling means (5).
2. Snowsports device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pulling means (5) consist of a link (5) formed by a cord or a metal cable.
3. Snowsports device (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a central region (25) of the snowsports board (2) is cambered when no external mechanical action is applied to the snowsports board (2), and in that the camber is reduced when the weight of the skier rests on the snowsports board (2),
4. Snowsports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling means (5) are attached to the front end (23A) of the snowsports board (2).
5. Snowsports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pulley (71) which cooperates with the pulling means (5) to form a block and tackle.
6. Snowsports device (1) according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the pulley (71) is located close to the front end (23A) of the snowsports board (2).
7. Snowsports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means (10) for guiding the pulling means (5) are attached to the snowsports board (2) in front of the retaining device (32).
8. Snowsports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment device (6) allows the length of the pulling means (5) to be sufficiently short that they keep a heel (410) of the boot (4) above the snowsports board (2), in particular when all the weight of the skier tends to press the boot (4) against the snowsports board (2).
9. Snowsports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable strap (9) for attaching the pulling means (5) to the boot (4), around the ankle.
10. Snowsports assembly, characterized in that it comprises two snowsports devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims, designed to be used together.

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