FR2804039A1 - DEVICE FOR RETAINING A SHOE ON A SPORTS ARTICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Retaining device (1) of a shoe (2) on a sports article. The device (1) comprises a rear positioning element, two side edges (16, 17), and a single link (22) provided to connect the edges (16, 17). The device (1) is characterized by the fact that link (22) has two or more attachment points (34, 40) to a first of the edges (16, 17), and a single attachment point (28) to the second of the edges (16, 17).

Description

Device for retaining a shoe on a sports article The invention

  relates to the field of devices for retaining a shoe on a sporting article, in fields such as skiing or snowboarding, skating

  wheels, snowshoeing, or whatever.

  Certain devices are provided for retaining flexible shoes, while others are provided for retaining

rigid shoes.

  In the case of flexible shoes, it is known to use devices which include a base intended to receive the sole of the shoe, a rear positioning element intended to receive the rear of the upper of the shoe, and two links provided to hold the shoe removably on the base. The first link is located substantially at the metatarsus of a user's foot, while the second link is located substantially at the level of the

user instep.

  Each link includes a first short branch anchored to an external lateral edge of the device, a second long branch anchored to an internal lateral edge of the device, and a lock which removably secures the branches to one another. To put on or take off, that is to say to secure the shoe to the device or to remove it, the user must carry out complicated manipulations. He must bend the body to reach the branches and the lock, associate the branches, adjust the tension of the branches, this for each link. These operations take time because it

  it is necessary to adjust the tensions of the links several times.

  Indeed, the shoe deforms or moves when the user folds his body, when putting on, so that when he resumes a driving position, the tension

is not suitable.

  These operations require painful efforts, since the latches are relatively difficult to reach. This is particularly the case when the user has a combination and

a back or ventral bag.

  The subject of the invention is in particular a device for retaining a flexible shoe whose structure is simplified, and which allows a simple putting on or taking off, that is to say

  easy, fast, and with or without little fatigue.

  A device for retaining a shoe on a sports article, according to the invention, comprises a rear positioning element intended to receive the rear of the upper of the shoe, two lateral edges, and a single link provided for

connect the edges.

  The device according to the invention is characterized in that the link has two or more attachment points to a first

  edge, and a single attachment point to the second edge.

  Since the link is unique, and in addition it is connected by a single attachment point to one of the edges, the

  structure of the device according to the invention is simplified.

  The device is also characterized by the fact that the attachment points on the same edge comprise means for permanently connecting the link to the edge, and by the fact that the single attachment point comprises a means for removable connection of the link

at the edge.

  The opening or closing of the link is advantageously done by a reduced number of manipulations, because it suffices to act at

single attachment point level.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be

  better understood using the description which follows, in

  look at the appended drawing illustrating, by nonlimiting examples, how the invention can be implemented, and in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe retaining device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a case where the shoe is retained, - Figure 2 is another perspective view of the device according to Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, in a case where the shoe n 'is not retained on the device, - Figure 4 is a partial schematic view of a retaining device according to a second embodiment, - Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 for a third embodiment, - Figure 6 is similar to FIG. 4 for a fourth exemplary embodiment, - FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 4 for a fifth

example of realization.

  The first exemplary embodiment is described below at

using figures 1 to 3.

  As shown in Figure 1, a retainer 1

  allows a shoe 2 to be retained on a board 3.

  For convenience, shoe 2 is

  symbolically represented in fine lines.

  Plate 3 is intended for snowboarding,

or snowboard.

  In known manner, the device 1 comprises a base 4 which extends, in a longitudinal direction L of the device 1,

  between a front end 5 and a rear end 6.

  The base 4 has an upper face 7 intended to be opposite the sole of the shoe 2, and a lower face 8 intended to take place above or against a

upper face 9 of the board 3.

  The base 4 is retained on the board 3 by a retaining means shown in the form of a disc 10, the latter itself being secured to the board 3 for example by means

quote.

  Preferably, the base 4 has front cushions 11, 12 and rear 13 provided for receiving the sole of the shoe 2. The cushions 11, 12 and 13 make it possible in particular to absorb shocks, or vibrations. For this reason, they are preferably made from a flexible plastic material such as polyurethane, silicone, rubber, or

other.

  The device 1 has an exterior side 14 and an interior side 15, which correspond respectively to an exterior side of a foot and to an interior side of the same foot, when

  the latter is in place on the device.

  The first example described corresponds to a device 1 provided

to accommodate a right foot.

  An outer lateral edge 16 protrudes from the base 4 on the outer side 14 of the device 1, and an inner edge 17 protrudes from the base 4 of the

  inner side 15 of device 1.

  Towards the rear of the device 1, an arch 18 connects one to

  the other the outer 16 and inner 17 lateral edges.

  The arch 18 has an internal face 19 provided for positioning the boot 2 on the device 1 in the lengthwise direction, that is to say in the longitudinal direction L. This amounts to saying that the arch 18 is a element of

rear positioning.

  A rear support element 20 has an internal face 21 designed to receive the upper of the shoe 2 at the bottom

of the user's leg.

  Preferably, the rear support element 20 is articulated by any means on the external lateral 16 and internal 17 edges, along an articulation axis oriented in a direction

transverse W of the device 1.

  Of course the transverse direction W is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, and substantially

  parallel to the underside 8 of the device 1.

  A stop, not visible in the figure, limits a movement of

  rearward tilting of the rear support element 20.

  A link 22 is provided to retain the shoe 2 so

  removable on the base 4, and therefore on the device 1.

  The link 22, which extends from the outside side 14 to the inside side 15 of the device 1, comprises a cover 23 provided to cover the upper of the shoe 2 at the top of the foot

of the user.

  According to the invention, the device 1 comprises a first means and a second means of permanent connection of the cover 23 to the external side 14 of the device, as well as a removable connection means of the cover 23 to the internal side 15 of the device, as

  it is explained after in more detail.

  The cover 23 is a part which has flexibility

  sufficient to match the shape of the upper of the shoe 2.

  As is well known to those skilled in the art, the cover 23 may comprise one or more layers of plastic, fabric, foam or equivalent material. The layers are arranged and secured to each other by any means such as

  like sewing, gluing, overmolding or whatever.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the removable connection means, from the cover 23 to the interior side 15 of the device,

  includes a rack 24 and a latch 25.

  The rack 24 is secured to an inner end 26 of the cover 23, by a fastening means shown under

the shape of a rivet 27.

  The lock 25 is secured to the inner edge 17 of the device, on the inner side 15, by a means of

  joining shown in the form of a screw 28.

  Of course lock 25, well known to those skilled in the art,

  allows a removable retention of the rack 24.

  As best shown in Figure 2, the first permanent connection means comprises a first branch 29 for securing the cover 23 to the outer side 14 of the device. The first branch 29 is secured by a first end 30 to a first outer end 31 of the cover 23, for example using a rivet 32. A second end 33 of the first branch 29 is secured to the outer edge 16 for example at

using a screw 34.

  By analogy, the second permanent connection means comprises a second branch 35 for securing the cover 23

  on the outer side 14 of the device.

  The second branch 35 is secured by a first end 36 to a second outer end 37 of the cover 23, for example using a rivet 38. A second end 39 of the second branch 35 is secured to the outer edge 16 by

example using a screw 40.

  The first permanent connection means is located substantially at the ankle of the user, and the second permanent connection means is located substantially at the metatarsus, when the foot and the shoe 2 are retained on the device. This amounts to saying that the first branch 29 is connected to the outer edge 16 towards the ankle of the user, and that the second branch 35 is connected to the edge

outside 16 towards the metatarsus.

  The removable connection means is located either at the ankle, or slightly more in front of the

  device relative to the ankle.

  The three screws 28, 34, 40, which hold the latch 25 and the branches 29, 35, materialize three anchor points of the cover

  23 which allow satisfactory retention of the shoe 2.

  This means that the user can drive the board 3 with as much precision as with a traditional device. However, the device 1 according to the invention allows a faster putting on or taking off because it is necessary

handle a single lock.

  In addition, the particular location of the lock 25 towards the inside of the foot facilitates manual access. In particular, it is easy to handle the lock 25 with the hand located on the side

  of the body opposite the side to which the foot belongs.

  The user can reach the lock by keeping the center of gravity of the body between the feet, which has the advantage of

keep him balanced.

  Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1. It shows the device 1 in an open state, after the latch 25 has released the rack 24. The cover 23 naturally tends to occupy an open position, that is say a position in which the inner end 26 is far enough from the inner edge 17 to allow passage of the

  shoe, especially at the time of putting on.

  The other exemplary embodiments of the invention are presented below with the aid of FIGS. 4 to 7. Only the differences with respect to the first example are highlighted.

  Obviously, the common elements are not described again.

  For this reason, the figures are simplified.

  The second example is described using the figure

schematic 4.

  The cover 50 of a retainer has, by analogy with the first example, an inner end 51, a first outer end 52, and a second end

exterior 53.

  A first branch 54 and a second branch 55 allow the cover 50 to be connected to an outside edge of the device. The difference from the first example lies in the arrangement of the constituent elements of the removable connecting means. The latter comprises a latch 56 secured to the cover, and a rack 57 secured to an inner edge of the device. The third example is described using the figure

schematic 5.

  The cover 60 of a retainer has, by analogy with the previous examples, an inner end 61, a first outer end 62, and a second

outer end 63.

  As in the second example, a lock 64 is secured to the cover 60, and a rack 65 is secured to an edge

inside the device.

  The difference, compared to the previous examples, lies in the structure of the first and second connecting means

  permanent cover 60 on an outer side of the device.

  The first permanent connection means comprises a first end 66 of a single branch 67. The second permanent connection means comprises a second end 68 of the branch 67. The latter is preferably produced by means

  a strap made for example with synthetic fibers.

  A sheath 69 of the cover 60 allows the passage of a portion 70 of the branch 67. The branch 67 can slide around a passer-by 71, produced for example using a pin, inside the sheath . This structure allows the branch 67 to slide in the sheath 69. It follows that the distance between one end 66, 68 of the branch 67 and an outer end 62, 63 of the cover 60 is variable. Of course, one end of the branch approaches the cover when the other moves away. This arrangement allows self-adjustment of the tensions exerted on the cover 60 after tightening to retain

a shoe.

  The fourth example is described using the figure

schematic 6.

  The cover 80 of a retaining device has an inner end 81, a first outer end 82,

  and a second outer end 83.

  The removable connection means comprises a latch 84 secured to the cover 80 at the interior end 81, and a rack 85 secured to the interior side of the device. The lock 84 is articulated on the cover 80 along a hinge pin 86, for example by means of a screw or a rivet. The rack 85 is also articulated on the inner edge along a hinge axis 87. The first permanent connection means comprises a first spacer 88 articulated on the one hand at the first outer end 82

  along an axis 89, and on the other hand to a first branch 90.

  By analogy, the second permanent connection means comprises a second spacer 91 articulated on the one hand at the second outer end 83 along an axis 92, and on the other

leaves for a second branch 93.

  The relative arrangement of the hinge pin 86 of the latch 84 and the hinge pins 89, 92 of the spacers 88, 91, on the cover 80, allows the cover 80 to play the role of a lifter. The distance between the axis 89 of the first outer end 82 and the axis 86 of articulation of the latch 84 represents the length of a first lever arm. Similarly the distance between the axis 92 of the second outer end 83 and the axis 86 of articulation of the latch 84 represents the length

a second lever arm.

  Of course, the first and second lever arms can have the same or different length. In all cases, the tensions are balanced in the link, in particular at the branches 90, 93 and the spacers 88, 91. The balancing of the tensions allows a homogeneous distribution of the pressure exerted by the link on the upper of the shoe , when this

the latter is retained by the link.

  The fifth example is described using the figure

schematic 7.

  The cover 100 of a retainer has an inner end 101, a first outer end

  102, and a second outer end 103.

  The removable connection means comprises a latch 104 secured to the cover 100, and a rack 105 secured to the

inner side of the device.

  A cable 106, hooked on the one hand to the first outer end 102 and on the other hand to the second outer end 103 by any means, contributes to achieving the

  structure of the first and second permanent connection means.

  Guide elements, not shown, are provided to guide the cable 106 on an outer edge of the device. It can be pulleys, passers-by, a tunnel, or any equivalent means. Again the tightening tensions are balanced

  in the cover 100 during the retention of a shoe.

  Of course, the cable 106 could be replaced by a

  rope, strap, or equivalent.

  For each of the examples, the device can be produced with all the materials used according to all the

known techniques.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples below.

  before described, and includes all technical equivalents

  which may fall within the scope of the claims which

  to follow. In particular, means may be provided for adjusting the position of the means for connecting the cover to the edges of the device.

Claims (11)

  1- Device (1) for retaining a shoe (2) on a sports article, the device (1) comprising a rear positioning element intended to receive the rear of the upper of the shoe (2), two edges lateral (16, 17), and a single link (22) intended to connect the lateral edges (16, 17), characterized in that the link (22) has two or more attachment points (34, 40) to a first of the edges (16, 17), and   a single attachment point (28) to the second of the edges (16, 17).   2- retainer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment points of the same edge comprise means of permanent connection of the link (22) to the edge, and in that the attachment point unique includes a   removable connection means of the link (22) at the edge.   3- retainer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises adjustment means   tensions between the attachment points.   4- Restraint device (1) according to one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means   to balance the tensions between the attachment points.   - Restraint device (1) according to one of claims   2 to 4, characterized in that, when the shoe (2) and the foot of a user are retained on the device (1), a first permanent connection means is located substantially at the ankle, a second means permanent connection is located substantially at the metatarsus, and the removable connection means is located either at the ankle, or slightly further forward of the device relative to the ankle.   6- retainer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the side edges is an outer edge (16), that the other of the side edges is an inner edge (17), and that the two edges (16, 17) are projecting relative to a base (4).   7- retainer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the removable connecting means comprises a latch (25) secured to the inner edge (17), and a rack (24) secured to an inner end (26) of the cover (23).   8- retainer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the removable connecting means comprises a latch (56, 64, 84, 104) secured to the cover (50,, 80, 100), and a rack (57, 65, 85, 105) united at the inner edge (17).   9- Restraint device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second permanent connection means comprise, respectively, a first branch (29, 54) secured to a first outer end (31, 52 ) of the cover (23, 50), and a second branch (35, 55) secured to a second outer end (37, 53) of the cover (23, 50).   10- retaining device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second permanent connection means comprise a single branch (67) and at least one pass (71) integral with the cover (60), the branch (67) sliding around the passer-by (71).   11- Retaining device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second permanent connection means each comprise a spacer (88, 91) articulated on the one hand at an outer end (82, 83 ) of the cover (80), and on the other hand to a branch (90, 93), the articulation axes (89, 92) of the spacers (88, 91) on the cover (80) being arranged, with respect to the hinge pin (86) of the latch (84) on the cover (80), so that the cover plays the role of a lifter.   12- Retaining device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and second permanent connection means comprise a cable (106) attached to the first (102) and to the second (103) outer end cover 100), as well as cable guiding elements (106)   located on the outer edge (16) of the device (1).