FR2740983A1 - DEVICE FOR RETAINING A SHOE ON A BOARD FOR THE PRACTICE OF SNOW SURFING, THE DEVICE ALLOWING LATERAL TILTING OF THE FOOTWEAR IN RELATION TO THE BOARD - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for retaining a snowboard boot on the board, including an attachment means (2) securable to a boot (5) for retaining one side thereof; a base (3) connectable to the board; a locking means (4) engageable with the attachment means (2) rotatably mounted on the base (3) about a pivot axis (40) to one side of the boot, and exposed to the force exerted by the boot when it is tilted sideways towards said locking means; and at least one resilient means (6) for exerting a resilient return force counter to the locking means (4) and preventing rotation thereof about said pivot axis (40) when the boot is tilted sideways. By separating the tilting and locking functions, wear problems are reduced and the accuracy and durability of the system are increased.

Description

 Device for retaining a boot on a gliding board intended for snowboarding, the device allowing lateral tilting of the boot relative to the board.

 The invention relates to a device for retaining a boot, in particular a snowboard, on a gliding board. The invention also relates to a shoe equipped to operate with such a device.

 Snowboarding has become more and more popular in recent years. This activity calls for the use of a gliding board on which the feet of the user are disposed and held firmly in a configuration substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the board. This is controlled mainly by the weight transfer and the movements of the user's legs both laterally and longitudinally.

 Shoes of the flexible type are those which are most appreciated by those who practice disciplines such as "free-style" or "free-ride" in snowboarding. They are provided with a flexible rod cover on a more or less rigid sole base; buttresses or reinforcements are arranged at the rear or on the side of the structure to provide the supports necessary for making turns, certain style figures or even jumps.

 One of the problems encountered is being able to connect such shoes on the board by retaining means which are both compact and easy to use.

 Fasteners of the "shell" type do not properly meet user expectations in this area. The shoe is held in place by systems of straps and tightening loops. The adjustment of these systems is long and must be reproduced at the start of each descent and in conditions that are sometimes uncomfortable for the user. The laxity necessary for good snowboarding is mainly given by the flexible side of the tightening system and the boot associated with it. This laxity is not always properly controlled.

 The document WO 95/09035 proposes a system for attaching a snowboard boot or boot of the flexible type which overcomes the straps and loops of traditional bindings. The system is based on a mechanism of jaws connected to a base, and which allows the engagement of an anchoring means secured to the sole of a shoe.

 One of the disadvantages is that the shoe is made "blind"; that is to say that the user does not have a precise vision of the anchoring elements and of the jaws opposite when putting on the shoe and must therefore proceed to the correct positioning of the shoe and to anchor that - by trial and error. Under certain conditions, such as in deep snow, it becomes very difficult, if not impossible, to put on the board.

 Such a system allows controlled lateral laxity in very specific cases; when the central anchoring means in the form of a pin are arranged in a longitudinal direction on the one hand, and the sole of the shoe is provided with resilient and compressible pads to allow rotation around the anchoring means, on the other hand go. The rotation is therefore necessarily limited in its travel by the thickness and compressibility of the pads located under the sole. For significant laxity, the thickness of the sole must be provided sufficient and the foot thus moves away considerably from the board; hence a loss of feeling and control for the user.

 Application FR-A-95 06169, not pre-published, proposes an interesting solution in which the retaining device comprises an anchoring means located on the side of the shoe, and which cooperates with a locking means integral with the board.

 The problem of "blind" footwear is thus resolved and the user can more easily engage his shoe in all conditions.

 The lateral laxity is favored on one side, in particular on the interior side by the fact that the anchoring means of the pin type or the like has the possibility of pivoting in its anchoring housing. An elastic return means positioned laterally in engagement with the side of the sole of the shoe opposes rotation and allows the shoe to return to its initial rest position.

 It is understood that rotation is permitted without excessive elevation of the foot of the user; who thus retains direct or slightly attenuated sensations from his board.

 The tilting being made possible only on the interior side, the user retains the possibility of working his board in bending or in combined bending / twisting to store the energy then restored when performing jumps or particular figures. The internal tilting of the shoe promotes the bringing together of the knees during the engagement of the turns or even during the production of certain figures in which, the body has a leaning configuration on the board.

 A disadvantage of the device of the invention of application FR-A-95 06169 stems from the fact that the rotation takes place around the locking axis itself; which is a source of premature wear and obtaining play. Over time, the accuracy of the retainer is necessarily affected.

 Another drawback comes from the static position of the locking system which limits the angular stroke of rotation by its size.

 The object of the present invention therefore aims to propose a new type of construction of a retaining means which avoids the drawbacks of previous systems.

 In particular, the device of the invention can be fitted easily by the user and in all conditions. It allows a possibility of lateral tilting in a very wide angle range without problem of space. In addition, the attachment and rotation functions being provided by independent means; Wear is greatly reduced and the system gains in precision and durability.

For this, the invention relates to a device for retaining a snowboard boot on a board comprising
- An attachment means intended to be integral with a shoe and to retain one of the sides of the shoe;
- a base intended to be connected to the board;
- A locking means which cooperates with the hooking means mounted on the base movably in rotation about a hinge axis offset on the side of the shoe, and which undergoes the thrust of the shoe during tilting thereof on the side of said locking means;
- At least one elastic means which exerts an elastic restoring force against the locking means and opposes its rotation around said axis of rotation during tilting on the side of the shoe.

 Thus, the locking means being mounted movably on the base; this tilting function is independently ensured and both the problems of wear and those of space are solved since the locking means rocks on the side in solidarity with the shoe.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, the axis of articulation of the locking means is parallel or inclined by an angle less than 10 relative to the median longitudinal axis of the shoe. This particular arrangement allows the boot to tilt on one of the sides so as to promote cornering and the production of figures for normal snowboarding.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the attachment means has a side raised upwards intended to take position on the side of the shoe and provided with a bearing surface which cooperates with a complementary bearing surface of the locking means. This gives better precision and greater control of the contact support between the shoe and the retaining device. The support pressure is distributed evenly over the support surface and through the engagement of the fastening means, without creating a direct and localized support area on the shoe which can cause painful points. Indeed, the part of the arch where support is preferentially exercised is particularly sensitive to support and it is therefore necessary to protect it and avoid direct support on it.

According to an additional characteristic, the attachment means has a horizontal flank intended to be anchored under or inside the shoe sole, and which extends towards the locking means by an anchoring loop. Thus, the contact pressure is transmitted through the horizontal flank and therefore under the foot of the user. The anchoring surface can be chosen optimum to ensure sufficient anchoring of the attachment means
According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking means comprises
- a jaw piece provided with a housing for receiving the anchor loop
- a hinged lock on the jaw piece to retain the anchoring means in its housing along the axis of articulation
- an elastic member which biases the lock in a closed position of the housing.

 Such a locking means allows a so-called "step-in" or even automatic fitting. The anchoring means takes position in the housing by a simple pressure exerted by the foot. The user keeps a perfect view of the fastening means and the locking means during putting on. It therefore becomes safer and faster to put the device on.

 According to another important characteristic of the invention, the locking means is articulated on the base by a hinge pin which passes through the lower part of the jaw part; said axis being contained in a substantially horizontal plane located below the housing for receiving the anchoring loop. By the position of the axis, located very low, it favors tilting by limiting friction and therefore the risk of wear, it also increases its rotational stroke.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the present invention.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the retaining device of the invention according to the preferred mode;
- Figure 2 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a sectional view along ll-ll of Figure 2 in a configuration before the boot;
- Figure 4 is a sectional view along ll-ll of Figure 2 in a configuration after putting on and at rest of the shoe on the device;
- Figure 5 is a sectional view along VV of Figure 2 during the tilting of the shoe.

 Figure 1 shows a retaining device 1 according to the invention which comprises a hooking means 2 intended to be connected to the snowboard boot; a base 3 intended to be connected to the snowboard and a locking means 4 mounted on the base 3.

 The attachment means 2 is preferably a piece of stainless steel type, which has an upward flank 20, a horizontal flank 21 which is connected to the raised flank 20 and an anchoring loop 22 which extends the flank horizontal in the direction of the locking means 4. The horizontal flank has a triangular shape and is connected on one side to the raised flank so as to form an angle bracket between 90 and 120. Holes 21a, 21b, 21c formed through the horizontal flank allow the fastening by screwing, for example, of the attachment means under or in the sole of a snowboard boot.

 Of course, the attachment means 2 can also be secured by other means. Provision may in fact be made for the horizontal flank 21 to be embedded in the shoe sole during the molding of the latter, for example.

 An important point is that the attachment means is secured, so that the loop 22 can project horizontally on the side, preferably internal 51, of the sole 50 of shoe 5 and the extension (Figure 3).

 Advantageously, the buckle 22 is located in the middle of the length of the shoe and in a substantially centered manner, but it can be tolerated that the buckle is situated slightly in front or on the contrary behind the middle of the shoe.

 The attachment means 2 cooperates with a locking means 4 mounted on the base 3 so as to be movable in rotation; in particular around an axis of articulation 40.

 Preferably, the articulation axis 40 is arranged so as to be parallel or slightly inclined relative to the median longitudinal axis of the shoe.

 As the figures show, the locking means mainly comprises a jaw piece 41 provided with a housing 410 for receiving the anchoring loop 22. It is the lower part 411 of the jaw piece which is crossed by the articulation axis 40. The axis 40 is preferably contained in a substantially horizontal plane situated outside the receiving housing 410 of the anchoring loop 22.

 The anchoring loop 22 has, for its part, a rectilinear pin portion 220 which is received in the housing. This therefore has a complementary reception form extending along a main direction of axis 410a substantially parallel to the hinge axis 40 of the locking means on the base.

 By way of nonlimiting example, the anchoring loop, and more particularly the rectilinear pin portion has a length of between 40 and 60 mm, a diameter of between 5 and 8 mm and is formed from stainless steel. Of course, this pin part is given only as a preferred example, but could be replaced by a part of wire of polygonal section, for example.

 The locking means also comprises an articulated lock 42 provided with a convex surface 420 intended to retain the inserted part of the anchoring loop in the housing 410. The lock 42 is articulated on the jaw piece 41 by a rod according to a hinge pin 421.

 The lock is urged towards a closed position of the housing by an elastic member 43 whose arrangement with the rest of the locking means will be detailed below.

 The locking means is extended by an unlocking lever 44 secured to the lock 42 by screwing for example; and the actuation of which in the direction of arrow A compresses the elastic member 43 and displaces the lock towards an open position (FIG. 4).

 The jaw piece 41 has two lateral flanks 412a, 412b extending vertically upwards; from the lower part 411, and between which is housed and articulated the lock secured to the lever along the axis of articulation 421. Preferably, the articulation axis 421 of the lock is substantially parallel to the axis of articulation 40 of the jaw part on the base. The elastic member 43 consists of a pin spring positioned in a housing 440 of the lever 44 and is mounted directly on the hinge pin 421 of the latch, one of the branches 430 of which is in contact with the surface of the lever and the other 431 is in contact with the surface of the jaw part as shown in FIG. 2.

 The retaining device also comprises an elastic means 6, in the form of two elastomer blocks 60, 61; which exerts an elastic restoring force against the locking means 4 and opposes its rotation around the axis of rotation 40 during tilting on the side of the shoe in the direction of arrow B illustrated in the Figure 5. The blocks are located on either side of the lateral flanks 412a, 412b of the jaw piece. The lateral flanks are extended laterally by fins 413a, 413b. These penetrate inside the elastomer blocks to form internal bearing surfaces. The compression work of the elastomer blocks against the base is provided by the fins when the boot is tilted in direction B.

 The elastomer blocks are also mounted on the device along the axis 421 and along the axis 422 which also passes through the base, in order to ensure correct maintenance. The axes 421, 422 have at each end threaded parts 421 a, 421 b, 422a, 422b to allow the screwing of stop means, such as nuts or threaded knobs 423a, 423b, 424a, 424b. The advantage of such an arrangement is that it is easy to change the blocks and replace them with blocks of higher hardness or, on the contrary, more flexible as required. Figure 2 shows the elastomer block 60 in its mounting position and the block 61 after removal.

 The figures clearly show that the raised side 20 of the attachment means is provided with a bearing surface 200 which cooperates with a complementary bearing surface 415 of the locking means 4; and more precisely of the upper part of the jaw piece 41. The contact is made on two flat surfaces perfectly adjusted and whose dimensions, surface condition and rigidity can be parameters perfectly controlled so as to produce a solid support and reliable. For a better functioning, the complementary bearing surface 415 is substantially oriented vertically or slightly inclined, as in the example illustrated with respect to the vertical and is located directly above the axis 41 0a of the housing 410. consider that these bearing surfaces 200, 415 are covered with a thin thickness of elastomeric or plastic material to provide a backlash function and increase the feeling of comfort during pressing.

In this case, the entire insert 2 can be covered in this way.

 In the example illustrated, the anchoring loop 22 of the attachment means is formed by the rectilinear part 220 which is connected to the horizontal flank 21 by two lateral strands 23, 24 so as to leave sufficient space to allow the passage of the longitudinal lip 416 which extends upwards the jaw piece which borders the housing 410.

 The base 3 which is illustrated in the figures represents a preferred but nonlimiting example.

It includes in particular:
- an offset part 30 on the side of the shoe on which the locking means 4 is fixed;
- A central part 31 which extends the offset part 30 under the area of the shoe; said central part 31 being provided with a central hole
- A central disc 32 intended to be fixed on the gliding board and which bears on the edge of the central hole to immobilize the central part 31 in a determined angular position
- Front and rear side parts 33, 34 which extend the central part, respectively; at the front of the shoe and at the back of the shoe; and which have a local excess thickness relative to the surface of the central part constituting bearing surfaces of the shoe to release a sufficient depth clearance (p) relative to the axis of the housing 410a. When the shoe tilts as shown in Figure 5, it is desirable that the front and rear parts of the shoe remain in abutment on the internal side, on the side parts 33, 34 to improve the sensations of control of the board.

 The invention also relates to a snowboard boot equipped with a means for attaching the retaining device.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment thus described, and includes all the technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which will follow. Thus, the damping blocks could be replaced by equivalent means, such as springs, for example.

Claims (16)

 1- Device for retaining a snowboard boot on a board comprising:  - an attachment means (2) intended to be secured to a shoe (5) and to retain one of the sides of the shoe  - a base (3) intended to be connected to the board;  - a locking means (4) which cooperates with the hooking means (2) mounted on the base (3) movably in rotation around a hinge pin (40) offset on the side of the shoe , and which undergoes the thrust of the shoe during the tilting thereof on the side of said locking means;  - at least one elastic means (6) which exerts an elastic restoring force against the locking means (4) and opposes its rotation around said axis of rotation (40) during tilting on the side of the shoe.  2- retaining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulation axis (421) of the locking means (4) is parallel or inclined by an angle less than 10 relative to the median longitudinal axis of the shoe.  3- retainer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the attachment means (2) has an upward flank (20) intended to take position on the side (51) of the shoe and provided with 'a bearing surface (200) which cooperates with a complementary bearing surface (415) of the locking means (4).  4- retainer according to claim 3, characterized in that the attachment means (2) has a horizontal flank (21) intended to be anchored under or inside the sole (50) of the shoe, and which extends towards the locking means by an anchoring loop (22).  5- retaining device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking means (4) comprises  - a jaw piece (41) provided with a housing (410) for receiving the anchoring loop (22);  - A lock (42) articulated on the jaw piece (41) to retain the anchoring means (22) in its housing (410) along the axis of articulation  - An elastic member (43) which biases the latch (42) in a position for closing the housing.  6- retaining device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking means (4) is articulated on the base (3) by a hinge pin (40) which passes through the lower part (411) of the part jaw (41); said axis being contained in a substantially horizontal plane located below the housing (410) for receiving the anchoring loop.  7- Retaining device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means (4) is extended by an unlocking lever (44) integral with the lock (42) whose actuation compresses the elastic member (43) and moves the lock to an open position of the housing.  8- retainer according to claim 7, characterized in that the jaw piece (41) has two lateral flanks (412a, 412b) extending vertically upwards; between which is housed and articulated the latch (42) integral with the lever along an axis of articulation (421) contained in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of articulation (40) of the jaw piece on the base ; The elastic member (43) being constituted by a pin spring mounted on the axis of articulation of the lock, one of the arms (430) of which is in contact with the surface of the lever and the other (431) of which is in contact with the surface of the jaw piece.  9- Restraint device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises two elastic means for returning the locking means in the form of two elastomeric blocks (60, 61) located on either side of the lateral flanks (412a, 412b) of the jaw piece; the lateral flanks extending laterally by fins (413a, 413b) which penetrate inside the elastomeric blocks to form internal bearing surfaces.  10- Restraint device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the anchoring loop has a rectilinear pin portion (220); and in that the housing has a complementary receiving shape extending along a main axis direction (410a) substantially parallel to the hinge axis (40) of the locking means on the base.  11- Restraint device according to claim 9, characterized in that the rectilinear journal part (220) has a length between 40 and 60 mm; a diameter between 5 and 8 mm, and is formed in stainless steel.  12- Restraint device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that in the rest position, the complementary bearing surface (415) of the locking means is substantially oriented vertically or slightly inclined relative to the vertical, and is located directly above the axis of the housing (410a).  13- A retaining device according to claim 10, 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the anchoring loop (22) is formed by the portion of straight pin (220) connecting to the horizontal flank by two lateral strands (23 , 24) so as to leave sufficient space (e) to allow the passage of the longitudinal lip (416) extending upward the jaw piece (41) which borders the housing.  14- Restraint device according to claim 13, characterized in that the horizontal flank (21) has a substantially triangular shape and is connected by one side to the raised flank (20) so as to form an angle bracket between 90 and 1200.  15- Device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the base (3) comprises:  - an offset part (30) on the side of the shoe on which the locking means (4) is fixed;  - A central part (31) which extends the offset part (30) under the area of the shoe; said central part (31) being provided with a central hole  - A central disc (32) intended to be fixed on the gliding board and which bears on the edge of the central hole to immobilize the central part (31) in a determined angular position  - front and rear side parts (33, 34) which extend the central part, respectively; at the front of the shoe and at the back of the shoe; and which have a local excess thickness relative to the surface of the central part constituting bearing surfaces of the shoe to release a sufficient depth clearance (p) relative to the axis of the housing (410a).  16- Snowboard boot characterized in that it is equipped with an attachment means (2) of the retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims.