FR2739301A1 - ELEMENT AND RETAINING ASSEMBLY OF A SHOE ON A BOARD OF SLIDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a member for retaining a boot on a gliding board, in particular an alpine ski, comprising a retaining jaw, a body supporting the jaw, a jaw return mechanism comprising a return spring (15) acting on a locking member (16) to oppose to the jaw an elastic force to resist its removal from its retaining position, a mobile feeler intended to support at least locally the shoe sole, a connection (46, 63) between the probe and the return mechanism. It is characterized by the fact that the connection comprises a movable lever (66) provided to increase the compression of the spring with the movement of the feeler, and a neutralization means (69, 89), to prevent the movement of the lever (66).

Description

ELEMENT AND ASSEMBLY FOR RETAINING A SHOE ON A BOARD OF

GLIDE

  The invention relates to a retaining element of a shoe on a gliding board, in particular on an alpine ski. The invention also relates to a set of retaining a shoe on a gliding board, especially an alpine ski. Second, the invention relates to a fastener assembly

  intended to hold a shoe resting on a ski.

  In the case of alpine skiing, it is known to retain a boot supported by a front retainer and a rear retainer, which respectively hold the front ends and

back of the shoe.

  Each retaining element generally has a jaw carried by a body, the body being connected to the ski by a base. The jaw is movable between a position where it holds the shoe, and a position where it allows the release of the shoe. An elastic return mechanism, generally consisting of a compression spring, opposes a resistance force to the

displacement of the jaw.

  The strength of resistance is determined by the stiffness of the spring, as well as by adjustment means, usually a screw or threaded plug, which makes it possible to adjust the initial compression of the spring. The adjustment means makes it possible, in the usual way, to adjust the hardness of the fastener element on a scale of hardness which is defined by the nature of the spring. The hardness is significant of the effort that the shoe

must defeat to be released.

  2 O During the practice of skiing, this force is only influenced by the friction of the

  shoe in his jaw restraint.

  German patent application published under the number 29 16 352 discloses a return mechanism comprising in parallel a spring and a damping member which opposes the compression of the spring, a resistance which is all the greater as the stress the opening of the

2 5 jaw is more violent.

  Such a mechanism increases the force that the jaw must overcome to release the shoe according to the speed at which the shoe solicits the jaw opening. Thus, for low speeds, corresponding generally to situations where the skier is stopped or skiing slowly, the force to be overcome is relatively low. On the contrary, if the skier skis faster, 3 O his shoe is more violent in his jaw, and the jaw is more resistant.

strong at the opening.

  The implementation of such a construction is difficult because it must control the damping member which must be compact, and the flow of the fluid inside thereof. Moreover, to obtain a reliable effect, fluid fluidity must be insensitive to variations in

Temperature.

  The problem posed by the invention is to improve the operation of the existing retaining elements. The invention proposes to adapt during the practice of skiing the hardness of the fastening element to

  conditions of use of the fastener.

  It aims in fact to obtain an effect of the same type as that obtained with the document 29 16 352, but by other means basing the increase of the restoring force of the jaw on a different source of information, in particular the force of support that the skier transmits to the ski by the support of the heel

of the shoe.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a device that adapts the hardness of the fastener whose effect is neutralized in certain circumstances, especially in certain fall configurations. Another object of the invention is to propose a fixing assembly which has an action on the

  pressure distribution of the ski on the snow.

  These and other objects which will become apparent from the following description are attained

  by the invention as defined in claim 1.

  It should be noted that there are known compensation mechanisms using a probe located under the shoe that acts on the jaw return mechanism. Such a device is for example

  described in the German patent application published under the number 33 07 022.

  These mechanisms, however, have an effect opposite to that sought by the present invention. Indeed, these mechanisms lower the restoring force that the jaw must overcome to release the

  shoe, to compensate for increased friction between the shoe and the jaw.

  As will become apparent from the following description, the invention is not incompatible

with such mechanisms.

  The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description and drawings in

  annex which form an integral part thereof.

  Figure 1 is a general side view of a set of fasteners implementing the invention.

  Figure 2 is a partial top view of the assembly of Figure 1.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the front fastening element of FIG. 1.

  FIG. 4 shows a top view and two half-section in different planes of the element

fixing of FIG.

  Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, in the presence of the shoe.

  FIG. 6 shows in side view and in partial section the whole of FIG. 1 at the level of FIG.

the rear fastening element.

  Figure 7 is a front view of a component of the fastener shown in Figure 3.

  Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1, and illustrates the mode of operation of the device.

  Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 8 and illustrates another phase of operation

of the device.

  Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention.

  Figure 11 schematizes another alternative embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows the middle portion of a ski that is equipped with a set of fasteners including a front retainer and a rear retainer, and a link

  intermediate between the two elements.

  The front fastening element 1 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 is known

  essentially according to the French patent application published under the number FR 2 640 516.

  It comprises a body 2 connected to a base 3 which is integrally connected to the ski by any appropriate means and for example by screws. Viewed from above, the base has a shape of "U" open towards the rear, with two lateral branches 3a and 3b. The body is movable vertically relative to the base for example by a deformable connection, located in the zone 9 at the junction between the body and the base. The body and the base are connected in

  continuously through this deformable zone and form a monobloc element.

  Preferably, the body has in its lower part a centering pin 2a, which is provided

  1 0 to be engaged between the two branches 3a and 3b of the base.

  The body 2 carries a jaw 4 retaining the front end of the shoe. The jaw 4 comprises two lateral retaining wings 5 and 6 respectively hinged to the body 2 about axes 7

  and 8. The jaw 4 also comprises a sole clamp 12 vertical retaining the shoe.

  The wings 5 and 6 are movable in response to the solicitations of the shoe, against the return force

  1 5 applies a spring to them 15.

  The spring 15 is housed in the body. It actuates a piston 16 also housed and guided in the body for a longitudinal translational movement. The figures show that the piston is housed and guided in a housing 17 of the body, and that the spring is engaged inside the piston. Its front end is supported against the bottom of the piston, located on the front side of the fastener. A screw 20 whose 2 O head is retained in front of the body also passes through the piston and the spring, and has a rear 21 a nut which retains the rear end of the spring. A rotation of the screw moves the end

  rear of the spring 15, which adjusts the initial compression of the spring.

  The wings 5 and 6 have beyond their axis of articulation to the body 7 and 8 a small arm 5a, 6a, which drives back the piston 16 by bearing against a shoulder 23 located in the part

  2 5 rear upper piston 16.

  The fastening element 1 also comprises a support device for the front end of the

sole of a shoe.

  The support device has a support plate 25 on which the shoe sole rests.

  The plate 25 may be equipped in its upper part with any suitable coating intended to facilitate the lateral sliding of the boot, for example a PTFE plate.

  (Polytetrafluoroethylene). It has a width which is of the order of the width of the ski at this level.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 25 is articulated about a transverse axis 26, which

  is carried by a bearing secured to the base 3 or integrally connected to the ski.

  The element 1 represented in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 furthermore presents a

  5 compensation mechanism which relieves the restoring force that the spring 15 exerts on the wings 5 and 6.

  This mechanism comprises a rocker 30 which is housed in part between the branches 3a and 3b of

  the base 3. The rocker is articulated about an axis 32 carried by these branches.

  The rocker 30 has an approximately horizontal wing 33 which is accessible on the rear of the fastener between the branches 3a and 3b of the base. The front of the plate 25 is provided

  to be able to rest on the end of the branch 33.

  The rocker 30 further has an approximately vertical arm formed by two lateral pads which pass on each side of the piston 16, and which each bear on a shoulder 37 that the

  piston present under the shoulder 23 wings. Only the shoe 35 is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  Advantageously, a spring 38 recalls the plate 25 in a rest position which places its front end above the wing 33 of the rocker. At the engagement of the shoe, the plate is lowered until contact with the branch 33. This makes an automatic adaptation of

  The fastening element to the thickness of the shoe sole.

  The rocker has dimensions such that a vertical downward force exerted on its branch 33 is transmitted to the piston 16 in the form of a bias towards the rear, that is to say in the same direction as the stresses from the wings. The rearward displacement of the piston 17 is accompanied by a rotation of the rocker 30 about the axis 32. The stress transmitted by the rocker to the piston 17 decreases by the same force that one of the wings must herself exert on the piston

  to move it sufficiently backwards so that the opening of the wing allows the release of the wing.

  This mechanism compensates for the increase in friction between the sole of the shoe and the

  support plate 26 in the case of a fall before.

  A connecting rod 39 also connects the rocker, in front of the axis 32, to the upper part 2 O of the body. In case of a fall to the rear, the body 2 rises by deformation of the zone 9. This movement is transmitted to the rocker by the link 39. This causes a bias on the piston which goes in the same direction as the previous solicitation . This compensates for the increase in friction between the shoe and the sole clamp. If the solicitation of the soleplate is sufficient

  strong, the soleplate lets out the sole of the shoe upwards.

  Of course, other mechanisms of compensation or adaptation to the thickness of the sole

may be suitable.

  In addition, the construction of the fastener element itself is not limiting. She shows a

  mode of construction of the fastener with which the present invention is compatible.

  Other constructions are suitable, in particular other simplified constructions.

  The assembly shown in FIG. 1 also has a rear retention element 40. This element is of a known type. It has in particular a movable jaw 41 carried by a body 42.

  Also known, the body 42 is movable along a slideway 43.

  The fixing assembly also has a support plate 44 for the rear of the sole of

  shoe that is located in front of slide 43.

  The device according to the invention has a probe capable of sensing solicitations from the boot.

  It also has a connection between the probe and the front fastener. This connection is intended to increase the return force that the spring opposes to the opening of a wing with the intensity

  the solicitation sensed by the probe.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the probe is the support plate 44 located at the front of the slideway 43. The connection between the probe and the front element comprises a plate 46 whose front end is connected to the front fixing element, and whose rear end is movable. The rear end has a pallet 45 on which rests the shoe that arrives at the support plate 44 in the presence of the shoe. This is visible in FIG. 5. Optionally, as shown, the plate 46 is in two parts assembled together so as to be able to adapt the length

  from the plate to the spacing of the front and rear retainers.

  In addition, the slide is connected to the ski by a base plate 48 to which it is articulated around a transverse axis 49. The transverse axis is embodied by the cooperation of the rear end of the slide with the rim. back of the base plate. An axis of articulation formed by a pin or any other suitable means may also be suitable. Preferably, the connection between the slide and the base is provided to allow the front end of the slide to lower vertically, and to prevent roll movements between the slide and the base, so as to allow a vertical suspension of the boot while preserving a good transmission of the lateral forces, in particular during

1 5 edge catches.

  A block of damping material 50 located between the slide and the base plate elastically pushes the slideway 43 upwards, against a stop 51, for example secured to the plate.

  based. The block 50 can be replaced by any appropriate means, for example a spring.

  The slideway can thus oscillate vertically downwards from the position defined by the abutment 51 against the restoring force of the block 50. In particular, when the plate 46 is in the position of FIG. 6, the slide can swing down under the impulse of the solicitations of the shoe. The support plate 44 then forms a feeler that captures the vertical stresses of the shoe, or more precisely the variations of the bearing force exerted by the rear end of the shoe sole. Figure 6 best illustrates the connection between the plate 46 and the slideway 43. Under the support plate 44 is a rocker 52 articulated about a transverse axis 53 carried by the base 48. The rocker has a horizontal branch 55 engaged under the slide, and it further has a substantially vertical bearing surface 56 against which comes to carry a complementary face 57 located at the end

  back of the plate, when the plate is in the down position.

  In this way, the downward oscillation of the slide causes rotation of the rocker and the

  forward movement of the plate 46, by support of the rocker 52 on the rear face 57 of the plate.

  The plate 46 is preferably connected to the front by a hinge, and at its rear end, it is urged upwards by a device forming a ski brake 58. In particular, this device comprises two articulated arms 59 recalled by A spring 60, the front fastening element is mounted on a base plate 62 integrally connected to the ski. The base plate extends between the base and the ski. It is provided with a longitudinal housing inside which is guided a slide 63. The slide opens at the rear of the base plate and is connected to the front of the plate 46 by articulation made for example by the

  cooperation of complementary forms.

  The connection is also provided by a flexible tongue 64, each end of which is secured to the base plate and to the plate, respectively. Any other means of connection may also be suitable. At the front, the slide is in abutment against the lower end of a lever 66. This piece enters the body 3 by a vertical recess 67 located on the front, its central portion is traversed by the screw 20 and takes support under the screw head. Its upper end rests on the body beyond the screw. Under the action of the slide 63, the lever 66 acts on the screw head in the manner of a lever, resting on the body 2. At rest, the screw head plates the lever 66 against the wall 68 of

the recess 67.

  1 0 A more pronounced support of the skier on the rear, for example in the driving phase, at the exit of a turn, causes a lowering of the feeler 44, a downward oscillation of the slideway 43, against the restoring force The connecting plate 46 is pushed forward by the rotation of the rocker 52. This movement is transmitted to the lever 66 which forces the screw 20 to move towards

  forward. The spring 15 undergoes additional compression which makes the wings 5 and 6 more difficult to open.

  This phase of operation of the device is illustrated in FIG. 9.

  As soon as the solicitation of the shoe stops, the screw 20 and the lever 66 are recalled in their

  initial position, that is to say the position where the lever is in abutment against the wall 68 of the body.

  According to a feature of the invention, the device comprises a means that neutralizes the action of the slide on the spring in certain circumstances, especially in some cases of falling. In the case of a fall back, for example, each shoe of the skier exerts an upward force on the jaw of the front retainer, and a downward force on the backing plate which supports the heel of the shoe, that is to say here the support plate 44. But an increase in the hardness of the

  is not desirable in these circumstances.

  In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the neutralizing means is shown in the form of a toggle joint 69, which is integrated into the slide 63. The toggle joint 69 comprises two levers 70 and 71 interconnected by a joint . The joint is located beneath an element of the body that moves vertically as the body lifts. Advantageously, this element is the centering stud 2a which passes through the base 3 of the retaining element. In the rest position of the body, the stud 2a holds the knee lever in a flattened position in a position close to the total extension, without however reaching this extension. In addition, the articulation of the two levers can move longitudinally under the pad with the movement of the slide 63. Optionally, a shim or other appropriate means can be provided to prevent the lever of the toggle lever from reaching and

  exceed a total extension position.

  Thus, in the position shown in FIG. 3, the toggle joint is capable of transmitting the longitudinal forces coming from the connecting plate 46. It is also capable of imposing on the entire slide the longitudinal movement which is printed. by the connecting plate 46. Given the fact that the toggle joint is close to the extension, the vertical reaction induced in the stud 20 is

relatively weak.

  In case of lifting of the stud 2a, for example following a fall back biasing the body upwards, the toggle tends to fold. The lever 66 and the screw 20, if they had moved before, are returned by the spring 15 in the rest position, that is to say the position where the lever 66 bears against the wall 68. The longitudinal movement of the connecting plate 46 is then absorbed in the folding of the toggle joint, and the vertical forces of the shoe on the plate 44 are taken up by the

block 50.

  The effect that could have caused the displacement of the connecting plate on the compression of the spring

is thus neutralized.

  In parallel, the compensation mechanism of the retaining element is activated due to the elevation of the body. The rod 30 is translated upwards, causing with it the rotation of the rocker 30. By its pads, the rocker exerts a thrust on the piston 16 which adds to the stresses coming from one or other of the wings which is solicited at the opening. The liberation of

  shoe is thus facilitated.

  This operating phase of the retaining element is illustrated in FIG. 9.

  If the solicitation is not sufficient to cause the release of the shoe, the body returns to its initial position when the solicitation ceases. The rocker 30 pivots to its initial position, the pad 2a in lowering recalls the two levers of the toggle substantially in alignment with each other, the knee is again ready to transmit to the lever 66 the efforts and the

  longitudinal displacements of the connecting plate.

  2 O The compensation mechanism of the fastening element is also active in the case of a fall before, that is to say a fall where the front of the shoe exerts a strong pressure on its support plate 25. In this case, in fact, the support plate 25 exerts on the rocker 30 a force which has the same effect on the compensation mechanism that a force due to a fall back. In particular, the

  support plate 25 transmits the support force to the rocker 30 which in turn transmits it to the piston 16.

  The opening of the wings is facilitated in this case.

  However, the body of the retainer does not rise due to the play connection between the

  tipper 30 and link 39. The opening of the toggle 69 is not changed in this case.

  The cases of fall, the compensation mechanisms which have just been described and their mode of operation are not limiting for the invention. It is possible that the neutralization of the movement 3 O of the connecting plate will also occur in front fall. It would indeed be sufficient to replace the link with clearance between the rocker 30 and the link 39 by a link without play. It could also be that there is no means of compensation, or that an active compensation mechanism in the case of a fall

  forward or backward fall, or any other appropriate compensation mechanism.

  In addition, it should be noted that the folding amplitude of the toggle member 69 can be varied by varying the position of the stud with respect to the chamber area 9 of the body, or the length of the links. In this regard, the stud as an element which controls the neutralization means of the toggle is not limiting, and any other appropriate element could provide this control function, for example one of the branches of the rocker 30, or still the support plate 25 or a

  element controlled by this support plate.

  One could also replace the toggle joint by a flexible zone of a blade which is controlled buckling under the effect of the forces transmitted by the plate 46, depending on the vertical position of a

  Body element located in the area of the belly deforming the blade.

  Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. This figure shows a front retention element 81, of the same type as the previous element, to which is connected a connecting plate

  83. The remainder of the fixation assembly is identical to that previously described.

  The front fastening element 81 is essentially identical to the element previously described. The difference is in the means that connect the slide 86 and the front retainer. The function of these means is here to brake or even block the movement of the slide when its

1 0 effect is not desired.

  To illustrate this, the retaining element shown has a centering stud 87 provided with an opening 88 that the slide 86 passes right through. Optionally, as shown in the figure,

  in this area, and forward, the slider has a reduced thickness.

  The centering stud has in its lower part a shoe 89 which delimits the lower part of the

1 opening 88.

  When the body is in the normal position, that is to say the position of FIG. 10, there is a

  space between the shoe 89 and the lower surface of the slide 86.

  In the case of a rear fall, for example, the stud 87 rises, which brings the pad into contact with the slide. The movement of the slide is thus braked. The braking may be more or less accentuated depending on the nature of the surfaces of the pad and the slide in contact. It is also possible to perform a unidirectional braking with reliefs in asymmetrical toothing, that is to say a braking which blocks the slide in the direction of a forward movement, but allows a return movement

rearward.

  The braking can also be achieved gradually by interposing a block of material

  Deformable, for example an elastomer block, between the pad and the slide.

  Other variants or different construction modes may also be suitable.

  As in the previous case, the effect of the displacement of the connecting plate on the spring is

  neutralized under certain circumstances, for example in the case of a fall to the rear.

  As in the case previously described, the same result can be achieved in the case of a forward fall, or any other type of fall. In addition, the braking action of the slide can be

  coupled to a compensation effect, for example according to one of the modes described above.

  Figure 11 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention. According to this variant, the support plate 90 on which the front of the boot rests, or an end thereof, is held suspended by a spring 91 or other suitable means, for example an elastomeric block. Below the suspended end of the support plate is a latch 92 slidably mounted in a vertical direction. The latch has a central housing which is traversed by the slide 93. This housing is delimited downwards by the upper surface of a shoe 95 braking the slide. A spring 96 or other suitable means recalls

  elastically the lock up.

  The assembly has dimensions and characteristics such that in the absence of a high bias downward exerted by the shoe on its support plate, the latch 92 is biased upwards by the spring 96. It brakes everything movement of the slide forward. Optionally, the surfaces of the pad and the slider in contact can be coated with complementary toothing or any suitable means to achieve a unidirectional braking, which blocks the movement of the slide forward while allowing its return to the rear. In case of heavy stress exerted on the support plate, it is lowered sufficiently for the shoe 95 releases the slide. Then, the slide can pull forward the lever 97, under

  the impulse of a force exerted on the rear support plate and transmitted by the connecting plate.

  The invention is not limited to the various constructions which have been described, it encompasses the variants, the equivalents, and in a general way all the constructions which are defined by the

claims in annex.

  In particular, the invention is not limited to the front fastening element which has been described. She

  applies to any other known construction of a front restraint.

  The invention is also not limited to the case where the feeler is associated with the rear fastening element.

  The feeler which causes the longitudinal movement of the slide could be located in another

shoe area.

  The movement of the probe is not necessarily vertical. The probe could also capture the

  stresses in roll of the front or rear end of the shoe.

Claims (4)

  1- Retaining element of a boot on a gliding board, in particular an alpine ski, comprising a retaining jaw (4) movable between a retaining position of the boot and a release position of the boot, a body (2) 82) carrying the jaw and adapted to be assembled to the ski via a base, a jaw biasing mechanism comprising a return spring (15) acting on a locking member (16) to oppose the an elastic resistance force at its distance from its retaining position, a feeler (45) intended to support at least locally the shoe sole, the probe being adapted to be movable in a determined direction, a link (46, 63, 66, 69, 83, 86, 93, 95, 97) between the probe and the return mechanism, characterized in that the link comprises a movable lever (66, 97) provided to increase the compression of the spring with the movement of the probe, and a means of e neutralization (69, 89 92),   to prevent movement of the lever (66).   2- Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe (45) is provided for   support the back end of the shoe.   3. Element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element has a set screw (20) for adjusting the pre-stress of the return spring (15), characterized in that the connection comprises an element ( 66) acting as a lever on the screw to translate it in the direction of an additional compression of the spring (15), and a slide (63) movable under the retaining element, to drive the lever.   Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises a toggle joint (69) integrated in the length of the slide (63), comprising two levers connected by a hinge, and a movable means (2a). ) control to control the altitude of the joint two levers.   Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises a flexible blade integrated in the length of the slide, the buckling of which is controlled by a means mobile control.   6. Element according to claim 4 or 5, where the element comprises a body (2) movable vertically relative to a base, characterized in that the control means is a stud (2a) located at the   lower part of the body that passes through the base.   Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the neutralization means comprises   a shoe (89, 95) for braking or locking the slide (86, 93).   8- Element according to claim 7, wherein the element comprises a body (2) movable vertically relative to a base, characterized in that the shoe (89) is the lower part of a stud (87) solidly connected to the body.   9- The element of claim 7, o the retaining element has a support plate (91) movable vertically, at least in part, characterized in that the pad (93) is carried by a latch (92) located under the movable portion of the support plate, the latch (92) being movable   vertically and elastically raised upwards.   1 1 - A kit for retaining a boot on a ski, characterized in that it comprises a   retainer according to any one of the preceding claims.