WO1996022034A1

WO1996022034A1 - Locking and tightening device

Info

Publication number: WO1996022034A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/001732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Benoit; Laurent Marechal
Original assignee: Salomon S.A.
Priority date: 1995-01-19
Filing date: 1995-12-26
Publication date: 1996-07-25
Also published as: FR2729547A1; EP0755205A1; FR2729547B1

Abstract

A locking and tightening device (1) for footwear, including at least one lever (9), a rack (15), an arm (16) and a buckle (6). A linking member (17) may be arranged between the lever (9) and the rack (15). The device is characterised in that the arm (16) provides a permanent connection between the buckle (6) and the rack (15).

Description

Locking and clamping device.

The invention relates to the field of footwear and relates more particularly to shoes used in sports such as skiing, snowboarding, ice or roller skating, cycling or the like.

The shoes used in the practice of these sports meet specific requirements for guiding or maintaining the foot relative to the leg.

Of course, each sport has its own requirements.

However, all shoes must be able to be put on or removed by a user.

In order to be able to perform functions of holding or guiding the foot, as well as of passage of the latter, the uppers of the shoes generally have a longitudinal opening delimiting two flaps which can be tightened / locked with respect to one another. using lever-hook type clamping / locking devices.

The prior art has proposed numerous solutions of means making it possible, alternately, to maintain or release the flaps of a shoe.

In sports such as those mentioned above, in particular in the case of skiing, a known solution consists in causing a lever integral with a flap to cooperate with a loop integral with another flap.

The lever includes a rack for hanging the loop. The action of the lever exerts traction on the loop. As a result, the flaps move towards one another and are held in a fixed position by closing the lever thanks to a toggle effect due to the architecture of the lever.

However, such a closure means is difficult to use because a skier must use both hands to close the boot: one hand maintains the buckle in the rack, while the other hand exerts an effort on the lever.

In addition, you must first bring the loop to the rack of the hook, which is not easy to do because the loop is free on the other flap and tends to get tangled with the other loops or with the sticks. of the skier.

A very significant drawback results from the fact that elements of the closure means are spaced from the flaps when the closure means remains in an open position; these elements are then protruding, which often causes ruptures or deterioration of the closure means as a result of impacts against various obstacles, especially when a skier is walking.

Another drawback is linked to the difficulty of adjusting the desired tightening intensity. This intensity depends on the position of the loop in one of the hollow of the rack. However, it is not easy for the user to remember the position of the buckle in the rack, especially since a shoe generally has several closing hooks. It follows that the user must often make several tests on each loop before obtaining the desired tightening.

Yet another drawback stems from the fact that the lever and the buckle are completely disconnected when they no longer exert a tightening function. Therefore, it is not possible to give the foot a certain limited freedom which would be useful to the skier during a period of walking with his ski boots.

In order to remedy this last drawback, the prior art has proposed the tightening device for ski boots disclosed in document EP-B1-0 401 202

The clamping device according to this document comprises a tensioner pivoting transversely to the direction of traction which, by means of an intermediate element, can be fixedly adjustable in length to a traction element. The clamping device further comprises an intermediate element coupled with the tensioner movably in the direction of traction; therefore it can be removably locked with the tensioner in a first position, and it is guided so that it can be moved in a limited way in the direction of an increased active length of the clamping device in a second position called unlocking.

The clamping device according to this document makes it possible to choose between two positions for holding the foot. The first locking position provides firm support for the foot and allows skiing. The second position generates flexible support for the foot and allows walking or "no skater".

However, when the skier wishes a total loosening, various elements of the device separate, some remaining integral with a flap of the shoe, and others remaining integral with the other flap.

It follows that the skier is still confronted with the problems listed above. Consequently, none of the current clamping devices is completely satisfactory, insofar as none eliminates all of the drawbacks listed.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention proposes a new locking and tightening device between two flaps of a shoe.

The device comprises a lever articulated on a flap and able to cooperate with an attachment means secured to another flap to bring the flaps together by exerting a tensile force, the lever comprising at least one attachment means complementary to the means of attachment secured to the flap, one of the attachment means being movable between two positions, a locking position in which the attachment means transmit the tensile force of the flaps by bringing them towards one another, and an unlock position wherein the attachment means allow a relative spacing of the flaps from one another according to a determined length.

The device is characterized in that means ensure a permanent connection between the attachment means and the additional attachment means, whatever the position of the movable attachment means.

An important advantage results from the permanence of the connection between the fastening means: a user only needs one hand to operate the loop.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device is characterized by the fact that the means ensuring a permanent connection between the attachment means are constituted by a link arm connected to each of the attachment means by a connection allowing relative movement between the arm and each of the attachment means.

One of the attachment means is constituted by a loop and the other is constituted by at least one hook.

The connection between the hooking type hooking means and the arm is formed by a hinge, and the connection between the looping type hooking means and the arm is a sliding connection, which gives the invention a very structure simple.

According to an improved configuration, the device is characterized in that it comprises, between the arm and the hooking type hooking means such as a rack, a means of permanent biasing of the rack towards the unlocking position, it that is to say towards the position which allows relative movement of the buckle and the arm.

Preferably, the means for biasing the rack towards its unlocking position is a spring.

The biasing of the spring promotes rapid release of the buckle relative to the rack.

Another advantage is that the unlocking does not require the use of the hands to spread the loop of the rack.

The device according to the invention solves the problems of the prior art in the sense that it eliminates the drawbacks mentioned, while allowing very rapid handling.

The user can therefore lock or unlock his shoes without any particular discomfort.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, by way of nonlimiting example, how the invention can be implemented and in which: FIG. 1 shows an example of a device according to the invention in the locked and clamped position,

FIG. 2 shows the device in the opening phase,

- Figure 3 shows the device in the unlocked position,

FIG. 4 shows the device in the locking phase,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a device according to an alternative embodiment,

- Figure 6 is another alternative embodiment.

Figure 1 is a side view of the locking and clamping device 1, called device, according to a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting example.

The device 1 is attached to a shoe of which only two flaps 2, 3, delimited by a longitudinal opening of the shoe, are shown in the figures.

The device 1 notably comprises an attachment means 6, an additional attachment means 15, a permanent connection means 16, a tie rod 17 and a lever 9.

The attachment means 6 is a loop comprising two ends. A first end of the loop 6 is articulated along an axis 7 on a base 4 itself secured to the flap 2 by a rivet 5 and a tongue 8. The loop 6 is movable in rotation relative to the flap 2. The other end of the loop 6 defines a sector 30 intended to cooperate with the additional attachment means 15 and with the permanent connection means 16.

The loop 6 can be a cable, the two ends of which are secured by any means known to those skilled in the art.

The complementary attachment means 15 is preferably a rack provided with several hook-shaped teeth 18. The rack 15 cooperates with the loop 6 through the sector 30 of the loop 6 which engages in one of the teeth 18 of the rack 15.

The rack 15 is connected to the tie rod 17 by an articulation 19 along an axis 20.

The tie rod 17 is itself connected to the lever 9 by an articulation 21 along an axis 22.

The lever 9 is in turn articulated by a link 14 with an axis 13 on a base 10, itself secured to the flap 3 by two rivets 11, 12.

These elements, which are the base 4, the loop 6, the rack 15, the tie rod 17, the lever 9 and the base 10, with their securing means, make it possible to produce the part of the device 1 known to those skilled in the art. 'art.

The permanent connection means 16, called an arm, is integrated into the device 1 to ensure a permanent connection between the loop 6 and the rack 15. The arm 16 is a closed slightly curved hollow part pierced right through by a transverse slot 23. This slot 23 allows the passage of the sector 30 of the loop 6 and thus allows a relative movement by sliding connection between the loop 6 and the arm 16.

On the other hand, the arm 16 has a cavity 25 for housing the rack 15. The slot 23 and the cavity 25 have a common volume in which the sector 30 of the loop 6 is permanently located.

The rack 15 and the arm 16 are articulated with respect to each other along the axis 20 common to the rack 15, to the arm 16 and to the tie rod 17.

The articulation along the axis 20 allows relative movement by rotation of the arm 16 and of the rack 15.

This general description of the structure of the device 1 makes it possible to explain its operation.

The device 1 according to FIG. 1 is shown in a locking and clamping position between the flaps 2 and 3.

The lever 9 is pressed substantially against the flap 3. The loop 6, the rack 15 and the arm 16 are pressed substantially against the flap 2. The respective positions of the axes 13, 20 and 22 allow the tie rod 17 to act permanently on the device 1 for maintaining the tightening by a well-known "knee-brace" effect.

The relative positions of the rack 15 and the arm 16 are such that the longitudinal edges of the slot 23 and the teeth 18 of the rack 15 define orifices 24.

The sector 30 of the loop 6 is passed inside one of the orifices, in which it is immobilized.

The orifice 24 through which the sector 30 passes is selected by a user to adapt the clamping or pulling force towards one another of the flaps 2 and 3.

To compensate for a deviation from the clamping force resulting from the separation distance of the teeth 18, the tie rod 17, which is interposed between the lever 9 and the additional attachment means 15, may comprise a means for fine adjustment of its length. , not shown in the figures.

The means for fine adjustment of the length of the tie rod 17 may in such a case be constituted by a screw-nut type system with fine pitch, so as to obtain a micrometric adjustment.

The locking position thus described corresponds to a relatively large distance Df of superposition of the flaps 2 and 3.

It is possible to move to an unlocking position by an operation shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

To unlock, the user exerts an opening force represented by the arrow F1. This force is applied for example by a finger in the imprint 26 of the lever 9. The lever 9 rotates along the axis 13 and moves away from the flap 3. It follows that the tie rod 17 is displaced and pushes the arm 16 and the rack 15 towards the base 4.

When the tie rod 17 is moved, the rack 15 pivots along the axis 20 clockwise with respect to the arm 16, because a spring 27 permanently urges the rack towards an unlocking position. The spring 27 is for example a cylindrical spring mounted along the axis 20. The unlocking position of the rack is defined by a stop 28 which limits the amplitude of the relative movement of the arm 16 and of the rack 15 at least in this direction .

Preferably, the stop 28 is arranged so that the rack 15 pivots just enough so that the tooth 18 no longer comes into engagement with the loop 6.

Consequently, the loop 6, via the sector 30, is free to move from one end to the other of the slot 23 of the arm 16.

The movement of the lever 9 has generated a variation in the overlapping distance of the flaps 2 and 3, here represented by Di.

As a result of the toggle effect, the distance Di has become slightly greater than Df at the start of the opening, to decrease rapidly.

When the unlocking operation has been carried out, the user ceases to exert the opening force and the device 1 finds itself in the open position shown in FIG. 3.

As will be explained, the flaps can then deviate as much as possible and their overlapping distance, here represented by Do, is then minimal.

The loop 6, via the sector 30, is positioned at the end of the arm 16 located on the side of the base 4. The rack 15 is always biased by the spring 27 towards its open position, against the stop 28. However, the rack 15 remains in a position close to that which it occupies when the device 1 is in the locking position.

The lever 9 is substantially pressed against the flap 3 because a means 29, which is preferably a spring acting between the tie rod 17 and the lever 9, permanently urges the lever 9 towards the flap 3, and because the rack 15 has approached the base 10 at the same time as the loop 6 has slipped into the slot 23 of the arm 16. The pivoting of the rack 15 upwards during the unlocking operation can be assimilated to a disengagement of the device 1.

The elastic means 29 actually causes the flaps 2, 3 to move.

By the maximum spacing of the flaps 2, 3, there is obtained a release of the volume of the shoe sufficient to allow removal of the foot, walking or sufficient release of the foot, while retaining the permanent engagement.

It appears that the elements of the device 1 are always located near the flaps 2 and 3 of the shoe. This arrangement advantageously avoids interference and untimely shocks with obstacles, since the device 1 is not bulky.

Yet another advantage stems from the ease with which the user unlocks the device 1; a simple finger action is enough, even with gloves on. In addition, one hand is sufficient.

The reverse operation allows you to find yourself again in the locking position of the device 1. It is shown in FIG. 4.

The user exerts a force for spreading the lever 9, for example with a finger, in the direction of the arrow F2. The lever 9 moves away from the flap 3 and pushes the rack 15 towards the base 4 via the tie rod 17.

This maneuver generates a relative displacement of the sector 30 of the loop 6 with respect to the teeth 18 of the rack 15. When the user has selected the position of the rack which is suitable for him, he exerts a force for placing the rack 15 towards the flaps 2 and 3 in engagement with the loop 6, for example with a finger of the same hand.

Then, the user releases the spreading force according to arrow F2 while maintaining the plating force according to arrow F3. Then it exerts a closing force according to arrow F4 to effect a closing or locking movement of the device 1, for example with the palm of the hand.

The force in the direction of arrow F3 is maintained only at the start of the closing movement; then this is no longer necessary due to the architecture of the rack 15.

Indeed, the rack 15 comprises teeth 18 oriented towards the flaps 2 and 3. However, the teeth 18 have a hook shape so as to prevent the rack 15 from coming out of the cavity 25 of the arm 16, as a result of the permanent action of the spring 27, in the case where a tensile force is exerted on the device 1. This is what happens during and after the locking operation of the device 1. Once the locking has been carried out, the tensile force decomposes so that the sector 30 of the loop 6 urges the rack 15 towards the flaps 2 and 3 via one of the teeth 18 engaged with the sector 30. This stress is greater than that of the spring 27. The device thus remains in the locked position.

The closing operation can also be done with one hand, which has the advantage of making handling easy and quick.

Another advantage of the device 1 is that it saves the user from having to assemble the loop 6 with the rack 15.

Of course, the constituent parts of the device 1 can be constructed from known materials such as metals, reinforced or unarmoured plastics, rubbers or the like. The techniques used can be machining, molding, injection, riveting, gluing, crimping, etc.

An alternative embodiment is proposed in FIG. 5.

The structure is very close to that of the preferred embodiment, but here the rack 15 has teeth 18 oriented substantially in a direction opposite to the flaps 2 and 3.

The examples described each relate to a device 1 where the loop 6 is secured to a flap and where the rack 15 is secured to the lever 9 or to the tie rod 17.

However, reverse construction is quite feasible. In this case, the rack 15 and the arm 16 can be articulated on the base 4, and the loop 6 would be on the one hand connected either to the tie rod 17 or to the lever 9, and would pass on the other hand as previously into the slot 23 arm 16.

One can also imagine another alternative embodiment such as that proposed in perspective in Figure 6 and in which similar or identical elements are designated by the same references.

In this case, the arm 16 no longer has a slot: one of its ends is articulated with the rack 15 and the tie 17, while the other end is a hook 32 intended to cooperate with the sector 30 of the loop 6 so as to ensure the permanent connection between loop 6 and arm 16. Here loop 6 has a simplified structure constituted by a yoke 31 and a sector 30.

The loop 6 is directly fixed to the flap 2, while the lever 9 remains integral with the flap 3 via the base 10.

The operation is similar to that of the variants previously described.

In this case, the arm 16 simply slides between the loop 6 and the associated flap 2.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments thus described, and includes all the technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which will follow.

In particular, provision may be made to manufacture a device 1 in which the hooking means 15, or rack, is movable in translation relative to the arm 16.

Claims

1- Locking and clamping device (1) between two flaps (2, 3) comprising a lever (9) articulated on a flap (3) and able to cooperate with a hooking means (6) secured to another flap (2) to bring the flaps (2, 3) closer together by exerting a traction force, the lever (9) comprising at least one additional attachment means (15) of the attachment means (6) secured to the flap (2) , one of the attachment means (6, 15) being movable between two positions, a locking position in which the attachment means (6, 15) transmit the tensile force of the flaps (2, 3) in bringing them towards each other, and an unlocking position in which the hooking means (6, 15) allow a relative spacing of the flaps (2, 3) from one another according to a determined length, characterized in that means (16) ensure a permanent connection between the hooking means (6) and the complementary hooking means (15), whatever the position of the movable attachment means.

2- Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (16) ensuring a permanent connection between the attachment means (6, 15) consist of a connecting arm connected to each of the attachment means (6, 15) by a link allowing relative movement between the arm (16) and each of the attachment means (6, 15).

3- Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the attachment means (6, 15) consists of a loop (6) and that the other of the attachment means (15 ) consists of at least one hook.

4- Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection between the hooking means (15) hook type and the arm (16) is constituted by a hinge.

5- Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection between the hooking means (6) of the loop type and the arm (16) is a sliding connection.

6- Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the arm (16) has a cavity (25) for housing the attachment means (15).

7- Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the attachment means (15) is a rack which comprises teeth (18) oriented towards the flap (2, 3).

8- Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that a means (27) acts permanently between the arm (16) and the rack (15) to urge the rack (15) towards an unlocking position.

9- Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the means (27) for biasing the rack (15) towards its unlocking position is a spring. 10- Device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a stop (28) limits the amplitude of the relative movement of the arm (16) and the rack (15) at least in one direction.

11- Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a tie rod (17) is interposed between the lever (9) and the complementary attachment means (15).

12- Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the tie rod (17) comprises means for fine adjustment of its length.

13- Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a means (29) permanently biases the lever (9) towards the flap (3).

14- Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the loop (6) is secured to a flap (2) and in that the rack (15) is secured to the lever (9) or in the tie (17).

15. A shoe comprising a device (1) for locking and tightening according to any one of claims 1 to 14.