FR2809634A1 - BOOSTER DEVICE FOR MOUNTING ON A SLIDING BOARD - Google Patents

Abstract

Raising device intended to be mounted on the upper face of a gliding board, comprising a platform suitable for receiving the elements of a binding, characterized in that it comprises at least one part forming a slide (2, 3) suitable to be secured to the board, and comprising:. means (14) allowing the platform (1) to slide relative to the slide (2, 3) ;. means (18, 32, 33) authorizing the attachment of the platform (1) relative to the slide (2, 3); so that the area of the platform (1) cooperating with the slide (2, 3) can be made alternately mobile or fixed relative to the upper face of the board.

Description

BOOSTER DEVICE FOR MOUNTING ON A

SLIDING BOARD

  Technical field The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports. It relates more specifically to a raising device intended to be mounted on a

  board such as an alpine ski or the like. It allows, thanks to a single device, to give several types of behavior to the board playing on its stiffness.

Previous techniques

  It is known to equip boards for gliding on snow, and more particularly alpine skis with raising devices intended to receive the binding.

  More specifically, such devices generally comprise a plate or platform which is mounted on the upper face of the ski. This platform then receives by screwing the elements of the binding that are the stop and the heel piece.

  Different solutions for mounting the platform on the gliding board have already been considered. Thus, in document FR 2 128 919, it has been proposed to equip the upper face with a gliding board with a slide. Ce20 slide secured to the upper face of the ski receives by sliding the platform itself, which is profiled so that its lateral ends cooperate with the lateral edges of the slide. In this way, it is possible to interchange different platforms comprising fastening elements mounted at different distances without having to make additional holes in the

  board. This device has the major drawback of having a significant stiffness which is added to that of the ski, and therefore comes to clamp the latter.

  A variant of this device has been described in document US 4,022,491. The monoski described in this document comprises a slide secured to the upper face of the ski. This slide comprises two rails inside which can slide half-platforms supporting the elements of the fixing. It is so

  possible to adjust the longitudinal position of the two elements of the binding, and therefore to optimally position the midpoint of the shoe according to the wishes of the user. The rigidity of the half-platforms supporting the binding35 is added to that of the board itself, and therefore causes the clamping, the drawbacks of which have been mentioned.

  In the document US Pat. No. 5,785,342, another type of raising device has also been described. This device comprises a platform receiving the binding, which is mounted on an element of viscoelastic material interposed between the platform and the upper face of the ski. To allow relative movement of the platform relative to the ski, the anchoring screws of the platform pass through elongated openings, which thus allow movement of the platform by

  compared to these anchor points of the board. There is thus a slight unclamping of the platform relative to the board.

  Other platform variants have been proposed such as in particular those described in document WO 83/03360, in which only one of the ends of

  the platform is secured to the board, the other end then having a sliding capacity.

  Thus, some of the existing platforms are intended to ensure unclamping of the binding relative to the ski. Others of these platforms provide

  otherwise a stiffening of the board by adding the stiffness of the platform. These different types of platform have very different mechanical properties. The means for attaching these platforms to the board are also very varied.

  The user, depending on whether he therefore wishes a more or less restrained ski, must today choose the appropriate platform and replace it when he wishes to change the behavior of his board. This possibility is relatively

  hypothetical since platforms of a different nature are rarely joined to the board by identical anchoring means.

  A first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of being able to change the degree of clamping of the ski with the same platform. In

  moreover, to obtain different behaviors, the manufacturers of equipment are obliged to have an extended range whose management presents certain disadvantages.

  A second problem which the invention intends to solve is that of the adaptability of the same raising platform to different clamping practices. Description of the invention The invention therefore relates to a raising device intended to be mounted on the upper face of a gliding board, comprising a platform capable of

  receive elements of a fixation.

  According to the invention, this device is characterized in that it comprises at least one piece forming a slide capable of being secured to the board, and comprising: * means allowing the platform to slide relative to the slide; * means authorizing the attachment of the platform relative to the slide; so that the area of the platform cooperating with the slider can be made alternately mobile or fixed relative to the upper face of the board. 15 In other words, the platform is connected to the upper face of the board by a piece relative to which it can either slide or be firmly held. In this way, this area of the platform is allowed to be either fixed relative to the board, or slightly sliding. Thus, when the platform remains sliding relative to the slider, it promotes the unclamping of the platform relative to the ski while retaining a longitudinal guide of the plate relative to the board. Conversely, when the platform is firmly secured to the slide, an anchoring point of the platform is created relative to the board, which increases the clamping phenomenon.25 Thus, when the user wishes to use his skis according to a more aggressive practice, it has the possibility of securing the platform to the slide

  corresponding to increase the stiffness of his ski. Conversely, when the platform is detached from the corresponding slide, an additional degree of freedom is assigned to the platform, which can then move slightly relative to the upper face of the ski when the board flexes.

  The slides can advantageously be independent pieces attached to the board. They can also be integrated into the structure of the

board during its manufacture.

  The number of characteristic slides can be variable depending on the desired practice. Thus, the device may have only one slide located near one end of the board. In this case, the platform can be permanently secured to the board by the other end, or even by its median level. In another embodiment, the device may include two slides, each located near the end of the platform. In this case, it is possible to block the movement of the platform with respect to each of these sliders, namely either with respect to the front slider, or with respect to the rear slider, or alternatively with respect to the two sliders. We thus obtain three different behaviors of the board, each one being more

  specifically suited to a type of practice.

  In the case where the device has a hooking zone in the upper face of the board, this hooking zone can be very

  different. Thus, one can provide an additional part capable of being secured to the upper face of the board, and on which the platform is secured.

  According to another solution, the attachment zone can be constituted by a protuberance from the platform, capable of being secured to the upper face of the board. In another variant, the attachment zone can come into contact with a

  boss present on the upper face of the board and constituting an additional thickness.

  Advantageously in practice, the device according to the invention may include a spacer element interposed between the upper face of the board and the platform, to limit the bending of the latter. In other words, we put in place an element which fills part of the volume located between the bottom of the platform and the top of the board to prevent the platform from deforming

  when the board undergoes bending.

  In a particular embodiment, the slide may include a

  protruding area sliding inside a groove of complementary shape formed on the underside of the platform.

  Of course, the invention also covers the reverse geometry in which the platform comprises a prominent zone which slides in a groove

complementary to the slide.

  In a particular embodiment, the protruding zone can be articulated relative to the rest of the slide around an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform, so as to facilitate sliding during

bending forces.

  In other words, the slide can have a deformation capacity which allows it to withstand the strong deformations of the board, to prevent the part of the slide sliding in the platform from jamming and causing

therefore an unexpected clamping.

  Advantageously in practice, the groove can have at least one zone with a wider opening allowing the protruding zone of the slide to be introduced into the groove when the platform is placed on the slide. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to install the plate easily when the sliders are already mounted on the board. In a particular embodiment, the device can include a viscoelastic element interposed between the slider and the platform, so as to ensure a certain comfort and a damping of part of the vibrations transmitted from the board to the platform. In a particular form, the device may further include stops capable of limiting the sliding of the platform relative to the slide. This

  provision is particularly advantageous in the case where the platform is connected to the board only by a single slide. 30 Brief description of the figures

  The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow in support of the

  attached figures in which: Figure 1 is a bottom view of a device according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is a sectional view along the plane II-II 'of Figure 1.

  FIG. 3 is a bottom view in summary perspective of the device in FIG. 1.

  Figure 4 is a top view of the device of Figure 1.

  Figure 5 is a top view in summary perspective of the device of the

  Figure 1, in which all the elements are dissociated and shown before assembly, and in a configuration in which the front and rear ends of the platform

  can slide. Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5 in which are provided means for securing the front and rear slides relative to the platform.

  Figure 7 is a sectional view of the device according to the invention, at the slide, and according to an alternative embodiment.

  Way of realizing the invention As already said, the invention relates to a device for raising the elements of a binding. Many architectures can be adopted and the invention is in no way limited to the single embodiment illustrated in

the figures.

  Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the device essentially comprises a platform (1), on which the elements of the fixing are mounted (not shown), and two slides (2, 3) intended to be secured to the

  gliding board. The slides (2, 3) include three openings (10, 11, 12) allowing the passage of hooking screws on the gliding board. The front slider (3) is advantageously profiled so as not to project laterally from the platform (1).

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the slide (2) essentially consists of a stud (13), the lower face (17) of which comes into contact with the upper face of the gliding board, and a protrusion zone (14 ) present on a part of the upper face of the stud (13). This protruding zone (14) comprises a connection zone (15) with the stud (13) and a zone of greater width (16) in the form of

  Mountain peak. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protruding zone (14) is located respectively at the front of the rear slide, and at the rear of the front slide so as to free up on the upper face of the stud (13) 35 the passage of the hooking screw in the board.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the slide (2) cooperates with the platform (1) to allow the latter either to slide longitudinally, or to be

  kept fixed and movable relative to the board.

  The platform (1) illustrated in FIG. 2 has a tubular metallic structure comprising a plurality of cavities (20, 21) as well as ribs (22,

  23) stiffening. Of course, the invention is not limited to this single platform geometry, but covers many other structures.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) comprises a longitudinal groove (25), at least in the zone of cooperation with the slide (2, 3). This groove receives the protruding part (14) of the slide (2, 3). The opening (26) of this groove (25) is tightened to keep the protruding area (15) trapped in the groove (25). In this way, any upward movement of the platform (1) is impossible. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opening (25) of the groove is widened in an area adjacent to that in

  which is the slide (2, 3). The opening (27) of the groove in this area is slightly greater than the width of the flared area (16) of the protruding area (14). Thus, it is in this area (27) of greater width of the groove (25) that the slide (2,3) is introduced and then translated into its working area.

  More precisely, when the sliders (2, 3) are mounted on a board, the platform (1) is put in place on the sliders by presenting the zone (27) of the groove (25) which is widest with regard to the sliders (2 , 3). 25 Subsequently, the platform (1) is slightly translated so that the protruding zone (14) of the slides is trapped by the zone of the corresponding groove (25). Furthermore, the raising device comprises at the central level two parts (4, 5) forming a spacer. These parts (4, 5) are studs secured to the upper face of the gliding board by hooking screws (29) passing through the three holes (28). These studs (4, 5) are of generally parallelepiped shape, and receive on their upper face the contact of the lower face of the platform (1) .35 As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the platform is secured to these parts (4 , 5) by means of hooking screws (30) passing through openings (31) made for this purpose on the platform (1). In this way, the platform (1) is

  firmly attached to the gliding board at its median level.

  These spacer elements (4, 5) are interposed between the platform (1) and the upper face of the gliding board, so as to avoid excessive bending of the board if it rests only on the two slides ( 2, 3). It is understood that the studs (4, 5) can be replaced by a protrusion of the platform directed downwards, which would come into contact with the upper face of the board. These growths can be formed by ribs extending up to

  contact of the upper face of the board.

  In another variant not illustrated, the studs (4, 5) can be replaced by a boss present on the upper face of the board, and whose thickness

  would be such that it comes into contact with the underside of the platform. Mixed solutions including a thinner boss on the board and a protruding area under the platform can be considered.

  As already said, the shape of the slider (2, 3) allows the platform (1) to slide longitudinally relative to the slider, and therefore compared to the gliding board to which the latter is secured. This sliding movement is particularly advantageous when the platform has a fixed point relative to the board, and the board bends. In this case, the free end of the platform does not follow the flexion movement of the board, but on the contrary slides slightly relative to the upper face of the board thanks to the characteristic slide. This limits the influence of the rigidity of the platform and the sole of the shoe on that of the board alone. We therefore limit the

clamping of the board.

  When the board bends, and the protrusion zone (14) of the slide (2, 3) moves in the groove (25). Constraints are generated because the platform (1) is slightly inclined relative to the upper face of the gliding board. In this case, the solution illustrated in Figure 7 may prove to be advantageous. More specifically, the protruding part (40) of the slide (41) then consists of a piece independent of the stud (42). It is mounted with a degree of articulation relative to the latter. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the part (40) penetrating into the groove (25) comprises a foot (43) which is embedded in a complementary housing (44) of the stud (42). This foot (43) has a transverse axis (45) perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform. This transverse axis (45) can for example be placed laterally with respect to the stud. The protruding part (40) thus has a pivoting capacity which allows its upper face to tilt slightly relative to the rest of the stud (41), and therefore to remain parallel to the platform (1) when the latter s '' very incline

  slightly compared to the stud and therefore to the board.

  Advantageously in practice, the protrusion zone (40) can also carry a layer of viscoelastic material (46) ensuring contact between the slide and the platform. Damping is therefore obtained, with a feeling

comfort for the user.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) can either be left sliding relative to the slides (2, 3), or be secured to the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, screws hooking (32,34) pass through the platform (1) through the openings (33, 35) and are screwed into housings (18) present in the slide (2, 3). In this way, the ends of the platform (1) are kept fixed relative to the slides (2, 3) and therefore to the board. In this case, the stiffness of the platform (1) between the slide and the central anchor point (1) (4, 5) combines with that of the board. We obtain

  therefore a clamping of the ski which can prove to be interesting for increasing the stiffness of the latter, in particular for sporting and aggressive practices.

  These screws can be replaced by another quick locking means, facilitating the clamping / unclamping operations.

  It should be noted that the transition from a configuration in which the ends of the platform are sliding (FIG. 5) to the configuration in which the ends of the platform are fixed (FIG. 6), is obtained by simply screwing the four screws (32, 34), and without any other modification of the

  enhancement. This is therefore a particularly simple operation which therefore allows the user to adapt the behavior of the board to his wishes, very quickly. From the manufacturer's point of view, the design of the raising device makes it possible, with a single device, to perform a clamping or unclamping function.

  Of course, the user can modulate the position and the number of attachment points as desired. Thus, it can either secure the front end or the end

  rear, either still the ends, or neither of them.

  Each of these possibilities has its own behavior. When the two ends are linked to the board, the latter is strongly clamped. Conversely, when the two ends are sliding, the board is

  totally unbridled. When only one of the ends is fixed relative to the board, the clamping is partial.

  The invention also covers variants not shown in which one of the ends is permanently fixed on the board by means of a stud analogous to the studs (4, 5) of FIG. 1, or equivalent solutions. It appears from the above that the raising device according to the invention has multiple advantages, and in particular: * the possibility of adjusting the degree of clamping of a board; * the adaptability of the same raising device to a large number of boards requiring or not clamping;

Claims (11)

  1 / raising device intended to be mounted on the upper face of a gliding board, comprising a platform capable of receiving the elements of a binding, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece forming a slide (2, 3 ) suitable for being secured to the board, and comprising: * means (14) allowing the platform (1) to slide relative to the slide (2, 3); + means (18, 32, 33) authorizing the attachment of the platform (1) relative to the slide (2, 3); so that the area of the platform (1) cooperating with the slide (2, 3) can   be made alternatively mobile or fixed with respect to the upper face of the board.   2 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a slide (2, 3) located near one end of the platform (1).   3 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two slides (2, 3) each located near one end of the platform (1).   4 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a hooking zone on the upper face of the board.   / Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the attachment zone is   constituted by an additional part (4, 5) capable of being secured to the upper face of the board, and on which the platform (1) is secured.   6 / Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the attachment zone is constituted by a projection of the platform, capable of being secured to the face top of the board.   7 / Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the attachment zone comes into contact with a boss present on the upper face of the board.   8 / Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a spacer element (4, 5) interposed between the upper face of the board and the platform,   to limit the bending of the latter.   9 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide (2, 3) has a prominent area (14) sliding inside a groove (25) of a   complementary shape provided on the underside of the platform (1).   / Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the protruding zone (40) is articulated relative to the rest of the slide (41) around an axis (45) perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the platform, so as to facilitate   sliding during strong bending of the board.   11 / Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the groove (25) has at least one zone (27) of wider opening allowing the introduction of the prominent zone (14) of the slide (2, 3) in the groove (25) when installing   the platform (1) on the slide (2, 3).   12 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an element (46) of viscoelastic material interposed between the slide (41) and the platform (1).   13 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises stops capable of limiting the sliding of the platform relative to the slide.