FR2769844A1 - DEVICE FOR RETAINING A SHOE ON A SLIDING MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for retaining a boot (2, 2a) on a sliding device. The device comprises a base (3), front wings (4, 4a) and rear wings (20, 20a), the wings (4, 4a, 20, 20a) being intended to receive the boot (2, 2a). The device is characterized by the fact that it comprises: - means (14) for longitudinal and transverse positioning of the boot at the front of the device, - support and retention means (6, 7, 7a, 7b ) of the boot at the front of the device, - support and locking means (41, 42, 42a) of the boot at the rear of the device, - control means (23, 28) of the means d 'front support and retention (6, 7, 7a, 7b), - at least one connecting member (8, 9) connecting the control means (23, 28) and the front support and retention means (6 , 7, 7a, 7b).

Description

Device for retaining a shoe on a sliding device The invention

  relates to a device for quickly connecting a shoe to a

  sliding device, the locking being automatic or also called "step-

  in ". Snowboarding, or snowboarding, is particularly affected by this

  device. The descriptions or analyzes which follow will refer to this

  discipline although others, such as snowshoes for example, are also concerned. In the practice of snowboarding, depending on the discipline, rigid shoes or flexible shoes. These structures are generally associated with so-called "shell" or "step-in" fasteners for the flexible and "plate"

for the rigid.

  The "shell" fasteners have as major drawbacks, a long and tedious implementation, a large bulk, a mediocre precision which can only be improved at the cost of painful tightening. Indeed,

  this system only accepts flexible shoes.

  Certain devices such as those described for example in documents CA 2,123,718 or PCT 96 40390 very partially remedy the first drawback

  cited, at the cost of greater complexity and lower reliability.

  The "step-in" fixings, particularly "with central side sockets" aim at this same goal. US patents 4,973,073, US 5,520,406 for example teach this concept. Their major drawback is a poor response to the front / rear tilting torque transmitted by the user to the gliding device via the shoe. The "flexibility" of the sole, its wear, the presence of snow between the shoe and the board accentuate a rotation effect around a fictitious axis, transverse to the sole, and located substantially in the middle of its length. This is

  translated by a fuzzy and mediocre transmission of the stresses.

  To avoid this problem, it has been imagined to use attachment zones of the

  sole located longitudinally, i.e. in the heel and forefoot areas.

  for example, documents US 5,505,477 and PCT 96 17660 teach these variants.

  If they solve the problem described a priori, it is at the cost of a longitudinal stiffening of the sole of the shoe which removes practically everything

  interest in a shoe with a flexible structure.

  In these two "step-in" variants, the presence of snow under the sole of the shoe and particularly under the heel where strong pressure helps it to stick, making the shoe sometimes quite delicate. Finally, in most of the systems proposed, the presence of an insert in the sole makes walking

uncomfortable or even dangerous.

  The prior art finally reveals so-called "plate" or "mixed" systems. For example, documents EP 680 775 or DE 44 06 047 teach advanced constructions in terms of ease of fitting but which obviously require shoes provided with rigid soles, therefore unsuitable for comfort and walking. On the other hand, these systems provide good precision in the shoe / binding coupling, hence their preferred use in the

  surfing on alpine ski slopes.

  The subject of the invention is in particular a device which allows driving

  precise board with a flexible shoe.

  Soft shoe should be understood to mean a shoe whose sole

  particular does not include a rigid element which alters its longitudinal flexion.

  Another object of the invention is a device which allows the retention of all types of shoes, that is to say flexible shoes, rigid shoes, or

intermediate shoes.

  Another object of the invention is a device which allows rapid putting on. Another object of the invention is a device which allows a boot

  easy whatever the snow or terrain conditions.

  Another object of the invention is a device which allows better

  perception of imbalance, especially towards the front or back.

  To achieve these goals, the invention provides a device for retaining a shoe on a sliding device, the device comprising a base designed to be secured to the sliding device and comprising vertical wings at the front.

  and vertical wings at the rear, the wings being intended to receive the shoe.

  The device is characterized by the fact that it comprises: - means for longitudinal and transverse positioning of the shoe made in the front zone of the device, these means being provided to cooperate with a corresponding zone of the shoe, - means for support and retention of the shoe made in the front area of the device, - support and locking means of the shoe made in the rear area of the device, these means being provided to cooperate with support and locking means of the shoe, - a means of controlling the support and front retaining means urged by the support means of the shoe, - connecting members connecting the control means and the support means

  and forward restraint to transmit movement from one to the other.

  This structure allows in particular precise control of the board with a flexible shoe and a good perception of an imbalance. It also allows the retention of all types of shoes, a quick shoe whatever the type of shoe, as well as a quick shoe whatever the conditions

snow or terrain.

  The invention also relates to a shoe intended to be retained on the device. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from

  using the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating, by

  nonlimiting examples, how the invention can be implemented and in which: - Figure 1 is a view of the device according to the invention, a shoe shown in phantom being in place in the device, Figure 2 shows this same device in the shoe positioning phase, - Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1, the retained support means and locking the shoe on the device being different, - Figure 4 shows the elements of Figure 3 in the shoe positioning phase, - Figure 5 shows an embodiment where the control means is a rear cover or spoiler, - Figure 6 shows the elements of Figure 5 in a shoe positioning phase, - Figure 7 is a half cross section along VII-VII of Figures 5 and 6, - Figure 8 shows a top view of the control means of Figures 1, 2,3,4 which is a pedal, - Figure 9 is a section transverse according to IX-IX of the f igure 1, - Figure 10 shows an embodiment of an adjustable hoop, - Figure 11 is a cross section along XI-XI of Figure 2, - Figure 12 is a bottom view of the sole of the shoe , - Figure 13 is a longitudinal section along XIII-XIII of Figure 12, - Figure 14 is an embodiment of a stop for longitudinal positioning of the shoe on the device,

  - Figure 15 is a section along XV-XV of Figure 14.

  Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention, integral with a gliding device 1. It shows in broken lines an associated shoe 2. These measures

  includes a base 3 intended to receive the shoe.

  For clarity, the description which follows will successively concern three

parts:

  A. Front part 3 of the base and the peripheral elements.

  B. Rear part of base 3 and peripheral elements.

  C. Shoe connection on the rear part of the base.

  A. Front part of the base 3 As shown for example in FIG. 1, the base 3 is at the front folded back in a U shape thus defining two vertical wings 4, 4a. These wings are separated by a distance greater than the width of the shoe to ensure easy positioning of the latter, as can be seen using the

Figures 9, 10, 11.

  On the wings 4, 4a is articulated along an axis 5 a hoop 6 intended to ensure the support of the shoe 2 on the base 3 and the retention of the shoe 2 during a lifting request by a user. The upper part 7 of this hoop covers the shoe 2 at least in part, behind the metatarsophalangeal axis of articulation of the foot which it receives. As can be seen in FIG. 1, an important point which characterizes the invention is that the articulation axis 5 is located in front of the upper anterior edge 7d of the arch 6 so as to guarantee a clearing path F of this edge relative to the shoe 2 and also that the arch 6 is fixed in position on its pivot axis 5 as shown in Figure 2. This allows to obtain a cone AC inlet stable to the presentation of the nose of the shoe, all the more so since the latter is biased in order to initially avoid support and retaining means located at

the back of the base.

  As shown in Figure 10, the upper part 7 of the arch 6 can be in two parts 7a, 7b adjustable overlap by known means. This adjustment will allow, among other things, to adapt to shoes of different

  sizes, therefore of different volumes at this location.

  FIG. 1 shows that on the side of the rear edge 7c of the arch 6 and at a distance X from its pivot axis 5, are anchored ends Sa and 9a of connecting members 8 and 9 which are advantageously flexible cables and inextensible and which will cooperate at their other ends with a means of

  command which will be described later.

  The ends 8a, 9a of the connecting cables receive a metal piece 10 which will be attached in one of the holes 11 of the lateral edges of the hoop 6. This plurality of anchoring points offers a possibility of adjustment complementary to that illustrated by Figure 10 and explained before. To reach the control means, the connecting cables use correctly radiated passages 12, or even return pulleys 13 illustrated in FIG. 11 or a sheath. These means

  are known, particularly in certain ski boots.

  The spacing X, shown in FIG. 1, between the anchoring of the links 8 and 9 and the pivot axis 5 is a characteristic of the invention. It is in fact he who will give the arch 6 and consequently the holding of the front of the shoe 2 a particular quality. It allows during a lifting of the forefoot to distribute the pressure at the upper face 7 of the arch in at least two generators widely spaced (> 20 mm). For example, a hoop 6 not having this particularity would see this pressure tend to localize according to a generator, all the more so since this hoop for reasons of comfort and

  wrapping should have some flexibility.

  In the absence of a shoe, an elastic means, not shown, for example a torsion spring around the axis 5, permanently urges the arch 6 in an open position, visible in FIG. 2. The angle ac opening will be limited by a stop not shown to a value large enough for easy presentation of the shoe 2 and low enough to effectively cooperate the shoe 2 with lateral positioning members /

longitudinal from the base 3.

  One of these members is for example a vertical wall 14 coming from the base 3 and which will serve as a stop at the bottom 15 of a notch formed in the sole of the shoe 2. This notch is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13. Figure 12 also shows the particular shape 16 generally in V, of the lateral edges of the notch. It allows easy positioning of the shoe which ends in its lateral centering with respect to the base. This male / female fitting is illustrated in figure 11. It allows to center shoes of

  different sizes between the wings 4, 4a of the base 3.

  If a flexible material is used for the manufacture of the sole of the shoe 2, the stop 15 may prove to be insufficiently precise. In this case, advantageously there will be an insert 17 molded into the sole, which will act as a notch bottom and will cooperate with the wall 14 of the base 3. It should be noted that such an insert does not provide inertia sensitive, opposing bending

  longitudinal of the sole. Figures 14 and 15 show an example of an insert.

  B. Rear part of the base 3 Similarly to the front part, the rear part of the base 3 is folded so as to form a sort of U, thus defining two vertical wings 20 and 20a. These wings can be connected by a wall 21 to allow an embodiment illustrated by Figures 3 and 4. On these wings is articulated, according to a first embodiment illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, a control member 23 around an axis 22. This control means is a pedal controlled by the shoe thanks to a transverse bar 24. The thickness of this bar is designed to be housed between the lower surface 25 of the sole of the shoe and base 3 once the shoe is locked. At the ends of the rear arms 26, 26a of the pedal 23 are attached the ends 8b, 9b of the connecting cables 8 and 9 cited in the

  description of the front part of the base.

  In order to avoid deformations of these arms 26, 26a under the pulling effect of the cables 8 and 9, the attachment piece, not shown, of the ends of the links cooperates with slots 27, 27a in the lateral wings 20, 20a. One of the ends of these lights will serve as a stop for the pedal 23 which is permanently stressed in the position illustrated by FIG. 2 under the action, for example of a torsion spring installed

on axis 22 not shown.

  According to a second embodiment, the control means 23 is a rear cover 28 also called a spoiler. The spoiler used is of the type described in patent application FR 96 07 079 of the applicant. This second embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, the spoiler comprises two pairs of lateral extensions, a pair 31, 31a for its actuation in rotation by members 32 of the shoe 2, which is known in the art. patent application cited above, and a pair 30, 30a for attaching the rear ends of the cables

link 8 and 9.

  As in the previous embodiment, the attachments of these cables on the protuberances 30, 30a, cooperate with slots 33, 33a in the lateral wings 20, 20a to avoid deformations. Similarly, one end of these lights serves as a stop for an open position of the spoiler 28. FIG. 6

  illustrates this point as it shows with Figure 5, in summary,

  elastic means 34, 35 for returning to the "open" position of the front hoop 6 and

  spoiler 28, the latter behaving like a control means.

  Other control means can be linked.

  Before tackling the third and last part of the description, a summary

  of the operation of the device according to the invention is useful.

  This device, integral with the gliding device, is naturally ready to

receive the shoe.

  The front hoop 6 and the control means 23, 28 are in the "open" position. This position is continuously requested and becomes effective in

the absence of shoe 2.

  These two elements are connected by the connecting cables 8 and 9.

  As can be understood with the aid of FIGS. 2, 4, 6, the user presents the end of his shoe in the cone provided by the front hoop relative to the base. In order not to engage the shoe too far forward, the wall 15 arranged in the sole of the shoe 2 rests on the tab 14 of the base 3. In fact, rather than positioning, this is '' a pre-positioning if we except

the transverse direction.

  The final position of the shoe on the longitudinal plane is therefore in the rear zone of the device and the heel zone of the shoe 2. This other

  characteristic of the invention will be described in the third chapter.

  At this stage, the user lowers the rear part of the shoe. Either the bottom surface 25 of the sole, see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, or other areas 32, 32a of the shoe, see Figures 5, 6, come into contact with a part 24, 31, 31a of the control means. The cables 8 and 9 are stressed in tension and ensure at the front end of the device, the closing of the arch 6. The adjustment means mentioned above make it possible to obtain the strokes and the tightening values.

1 0 optimum.

  C. Connection of shoe 2 on the rear part of the device The kinematics described above and the means of producing it are the basis of the present invention but it remains, for this to work, to use a means of

  final locking of the heel area of the shoe 2 on the base 3.

  Two solutions are particularly suitable for the invention although they do not

are not limiting.

  The first is illustrated very schematically by Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 where we see the shoe 2 provided with support means 32 and locking 43. These means are described in patent application FR 96 07529 of the applicant and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 of this application. Therefore, they will not be

described here.

  The vertical wings 20, 20a of the device of the present invention will of course include the complementary means 42, 41 to those 32, 43 from

  of the shoe and also described in the application cited above.

  The second solution is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

  The basic device according to the invention is kept and completed. The vertical wings 20, 20a are connected by a wall 21 which makes the assembly non-deformable under load. Preferably, the spacing between the wings 20 and 20a will be reduced at the level of the wall 21 which, in top view not shown will give

  to the set of vertical wings 20, 20a / wall 21 the appearance of a trapezoid.

  The vertical wings receive an axis 37 on which pivots a lock 36. This lock is urged, in order to tend to bear against the rear part of the shoe 2, by the action of an elastic means represented in the form of a

spring 38.

  Additionally, a shoe retainer 39 is attached to

  the rear part of said shoe to cooperate with lock 36.

  Preferably, the bolt will be provided with a means allowing it to take two positions: one o urged by the spring 38 it automatically cooperates with the retaining element 39, another o it is blocked in the deactivated position relative to the restraint against the action of

spring 38.

  This precaution will allow the user to place at least one foot in the device according to the invention while benefiting from a certain control of the sliding device and to withdraw it quickly since there is no locking. This may be

  appreciable for example to take a ski lift.

  It should be noted that the first solution with shoe 2 provided with means

  locking 43 on board it naturally has this advantage.

  The unlocking will be done manually by an action on the end 36a

  of latch 36 in the direction of the arrow.

  For reliable operation, the positioning of the retaining element

  39 relative to lock 36 must be precise.

  To this end, the shoe 2 comprises in the heel area an inserted part 40.

  This insert receives the retaining piece 39 in a single piece or attached as well as lateral members 32a for supporting the boot on the device. These support members are identical in nature to those of the first solution, but are

  simplified and do not include a locking member.

  The installation of these separate support and retaining members on a quick insert makes it possible to guarantee the accuracy of two important functional ribs A and D which define the positioning of the retaining element 39 and the supports 32a on the abscissa and on the ordinate. This also allows the use of a flexible shoe since the rigidity transferred by the insert 40 to the shoe only concerns the calcaneus area of the foot which does not require at the level of the shoe a

  flexibility in this place, neither for comfort nor for walking.

  As for the distance E between the supports 32a and the front arch 6, it accommodates a flexible or rigid shoe structure. Indeed, the fact of associating an outfit of the heel area of the shoe as it is located, with a means of holding the forefoot of the hoop type, therefore retaining the shoe over the forefoot and the vertical or behind the forefoot joint, gives the foot itself a role of stiffening beam without interference from

  the possible flexibility of the shoe.

  Finally, this distance E makes it possible, unlike known "step-in" systems with flexible shoes, to clearly perceive and deal with front / rear imbalances of the surfer. These are the decisive advantages of "shell" fasteners

the invention.

  Finally, in the two locking solutions, the difference between the ribs B, representing the distance between the shoe support and the base, and C, representing the distance between the shoe support and the underside of the sole, must be emphasized. , which spares a play capable of absorbing the cross member 24 of the control means 23, and / or the presence of snow without it affecting the precision of the locking. This functionality is well described in the patent application of the cited plaintiff

  above as well as in patent FR 2 654 591 of the applicant.

  The device according to the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown. Any achievement incorporating all of the elements

  associated and which characterize the invention would not depart from the framework of the latter.

  For example, the front support / retaining means instead of being a hoop articulated along an axis transverse to the device for providing a variable entry cone to the shoe could be composed of two flaps 7a, 7b or the like, each oriented according to a longitudinal axis to the device, each connecting member 8, 9,

  actuating one of these shutters when closing.

  The control means 28 described as being a spoiler, could only comprise the lower part useful for locking and anchoring the connecting members 8, 9. It would then be a kind of pedal without maintaining the calf of the

athletic.

  Finally, the means for longitudinal / lateral positioning of the shoe on the base could be transferred to the external / internal edges of the sole of the shoe in cooperation with an adjustable hoop to adapt to the

width of said sole.

  Such embodiments, less advanced or more complicated than those

  described, would not depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

  1- Device for retaining a shoe (2, 2a) on a sliding device (1), the device comprising a base (3) designed to be secured to the sliding device (1) and comprising vertical wings ( 4, 4a) at the front and vertical wings (20, 20a) at the rear, the wings (4, 4a, 20, 20a) being intended to receive the shoe, characterized in that it comprises: - means for longitudinal and transverse positioning (14) of the shoe produced in the front zone of the device, these means being provided to cooperate with a corresponding zone (15, 16) of the shoe, - support and retaining means ( 6, 7, 7a, 7b) of the boot made in the front area of the device, - support and locking means (41, 42, 42a) of the boot made in the rear area of the device, these means being provided to cooperate with 1 5 support means (32, 32a) and locking (43) of the shoe (2), - a control means (23, 28) of the m front support and retaining means (6, 7, 7a, 7b) urged by the support means (32, 32a) of the boot, - connecting members (8, 9) connecting the control means (23 , 28) and the front support and retaining means (6, 7, 7a, 7b) for transmitting the movement from one to the other.   2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support and retaining means (6, 7, 7a) of the shoe on its front part is a hoop (6) articulated on the vertical wings (4, 4a) of the base (3) around an axis (5) which is located in front of the upper edge (8) of the hoop so as to make this edge follow a path (F) clearing the shoe during of the pivoting of the arch in the direction of the arrow (F).   3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the arch (6) has an upper face (7), at least part of which covers the shoe   behind the metatarsophalangeal axis of articulation of the foot.   4- Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arch (6) pivots about a fixed axis (5) so as to be in a stable position facing   the shoe that will engage under it.   - Device according to claims 2, 3, 4, characterized in that the hoop (6)   is composed of two parts (7a, 7b) which allow by variation of their overlap a variation of the length of its axis of wrapping on the shoe. 6- Device for retaining a shoe (2, 2a) on a sliding device (1), the device comprising a base (3) designed to be secured to the sliding device (1), characterized in that on a front part of this base (3) is articulated around a fixed axis (5) a support and retaining means (6) of the shoe in the form of an arch, the axis (5) being located at the lower front part of the arch (6), the arch (6) being actuated in position against the shoe (2, 2a) by at least one traction member (8, 9) urging the rear part (7d) of the arch (6), the distance X between the point of application of the tensile force and the articulation axis (5)   being substantially equal to or greater than 20 mm.   7- Device according to claims 2, 3, 4, characterized in that under the action   with elastic means (35), the arch (6) is permanently biased towards an open position. 8- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal and transverse positioning means (14) of the shoe is a stop (14) which cooperates with corresponding zones (15, 16) of the shoe to limit the advance of the shoe under the arch (6) and center this shoe between the wings vertical (4, 4a) of the base (3).   9- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (23) of the front support and retaining means (6) is a pedal (23) articulated along an axis (22) on the rear vertical wings ( 20, 20a) and comprising in its front part a crosspiece (24) urged by the sole (25) or the shoe, and allows at its rear lateral ends, the anchoring of the ends of the connecting cables   (8, 9) also connected to the front hoop (6).   - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (28) is a spoiler (28) lockable on the base (3) and comprising lateral extensions (30, 30a) for anchoring ends ( 8b, 9b) organs of link (8, 9).   11- Device according to claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 10, characterized in that the   control means (23, 28) and the support and retaining means (6, 7, 7a) are permanently biased by an elastic means (34, 35) towards a position   opening, suitable for easy positioning of the shoe.   12- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the organs of   link (8, 9, 8b, 9b, 8a, 9a) are cables.   13- Shoe intended to cooperate with a connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises in its front zone lateral and longitudinal positioning members (15, 16, 17) relative to the device and in its rear zone , supporting means (32, 32a) and retaining (39, 43) relative to the device, the supporting and retaining means being separated, the supporting means   allowing a clearance (B minus C) between the sole of the shoe (25) and the base (3).