WO1997015359A1

WO1997015359A1 - Snowboard safety binding

Info

Publication number: WO1997015359A1
Application number: PCT/IT1996/000194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graziano Giacon; Franco Roncarati
Original assignee: Askew S.R.L.
Priority date: 1995-10-24
Filing date: 1996-10-23
Publication date: 1997-05-01
Also published as: IT1279460B1; ITTV950128A0; ITTV950128A1

Abstract

Snowboard safety binding comprising one binding for each foot, each binding having two pairs of jaws (8, 9) and holding a single footwear (B) by clamping between the jaws (8, 9) of each pair of jaws (8, 9) the opposing longitudinal edges of the sole of said footwear; said snowboard safety binding comprising: at least one static jaw (9); and at least one movable jaw (8); said footwear having at least locally reinforced areas (15) along the longitudinal edges of its sole; a first semi-shell forming a base (1) provided with holes (3) for fastening to the upper part of the board and with guides for moving a superimposed slide (5) for the synchronous movement of said movable jaws (8) and with a hinge acting as a fulcrum for a lever (2) for moving said slide; said slide (5) on one side engaging the movable jaws (8) and on the other side engaging said lever (2); said jaws being arranged in two pairs of jaws (8, 9): respectively a front pair and a rear pair, each pair of jaws consisting of: said at least one static jaw (9) fastened to the snowboard and, opposite said static jaw (9); said at least one movable jaw (8) which is movable by means of said slide (5), each of said static and movable jaws (8, 9) having an end for holding partially one of said longitudinal edges of the sole of said footwear (B); and a second semi-shell for box-like enclosing said jaws (8, 9).

Description

SNOWBOARD SAFETY BINDING.

Technical Field This invention has for object an improved ski safety binding, for at least one footwear and technical footwear thus obtained, particularly for snowboards. The innovation finds particular even if not exclusive application in the winter sport activities, and in the field of the production of technical footwears and accessories for practising snowboard. Background Art n the prior art are known skiboards or snowboards, also known as snowboards. They derive, as water-ski practising, from the traditional sport, for example the snow skiing, in which was provided the use of two skis, respectively one for each leg, and each provided with corresponding safety bindings for the fastening, or of the naked foot as in the first case, or of the corresponding technical footwear. More particularly, the boards during these last years found a wide spread, causing an exponential growth of the technological demand, in a field in which, in spite of the considerable results, there is still much to be innovated. A snowboard, is practically made up of a single ski, considerably shorter, but much larger if compared to the former ones, on which are engaged some safety bindings, generally two, which concern both feet and therefore the respective footwears. The need for providing a certain width, comes from the fact that the feet, contrary to the water single-ski practising, in which it is necessary to keep the front part well lifted because they are placed one after the other, must take a determined position which allows the pelvis to remain in a forward position together with the upper limbs and therefore make the movements able to give the proper direction to the means. At the beginning, some hypothesis could provide two feet placed alongside in parallel, this requiring an excessively wide board, a solution which was soon considered not obtainable for the objective difficulty, to keep a correct and comfortable position of the body, preventing an easy change of direction. Furthermore, the position of the body, which was not correct, forced to a strict connection between the board and the Iower limbs -shin bones and -thigh bones which in case of fall could also cause rather severe injuries. Solving good part of the previously mentioned problems, it was subsequently found a solution, in which the feet, have a diagonal position respect to the longitudinal axis of the board, that is rotated of about 45°, one of them, generally the right one positioned most forwardly also if placed alongside the other which is rotated to a greater extent. Thus it is possible to keep a correct position, reaching an optimal balance for moving the body during the directioning of the board. Solved the problem of the position, there was left the improvement of the various safety bindings of the footwear to the board, all rather empirical. In the first solutions of snowboards, were provided some binding devices very much like the ones used for the traditional skis, involving therefore the use of a heel- piece with one movable part for blocking the foot and one toe- piece Instead for the footwear it was preferred the use of a soft frame, definitely more comfortable than the stiff shell of a ski- boot and at the same time easier leaving wide range for sudden movements, therefore sensitive in practising the particular sport activity Consequently, for matching the incompatible structural characteristics of the soft footwear with the safety bindings of the traditional type, it was necessary to stiffen it by providing some protrusions of rather solid material, partially shrouded and placed in correspondence of the toe-piece and of the heel-piece. The problems originated from the previously mentioned solution consisted essentially of the inadequate tightness ensured by the safety bindings, together with a considerable weight but mostly with a considerable encumbrance This latter aspect, recently, played a relevant role, forcing to abandon such solution almost completely The constant technological pressure related to the needs of the athlete, therefore put on the market some boards, always less wide, requiring therefore some safety bindings that could match the new proposals As consequence it was logical that the traditional safety bindings consisting of heel-piece and toe- piece, protruding much beyond the footwear, disappeared, leaving room for new ideas. The presently more widespread solution, as seen deriving from the need for having a board less wide than the former ones, provided the use of a base, generally in plastic material, to be fixed firmly to the board, on whose perimeter, are provided some rings or the like for the fastening of some stretching hooks which are placed across the foot top These latter can be of different type and are more or less inspired to the traditional devices commonly used for the ski boots. A typical example, can consists of the flexible tongue, on one side provided with a series of herringbone teeth that is of the rack type. One end is fixed to said base engaged to the board, the other one. once the footwear has been rested, manually inserted inside of a small jack or elastic hook that provides the necessary tension. This operation obviously, will be repeated as many times as are the provided hooks, while for the releasing will be sufficient to free the hook and extract the toothed tongue. The back part of the safety binding, can also provide a reference point, practically a kind of side- heel-piece for receiving the heel-piece of the footwear which is generally soft. In such case the footwear, considering the small width of the board, is allowed to protrude slightly over the edge, easing the movement of the ski. But also this solution is not without inconveniences. First of all the fact that it is necessary to adjust correctly all the hooks any time the snowboard is used, therefore not very practical. Secondly, the base keeps the footwear sole much distant from the board, not allowing the direct contact and thus preventing a better manoeuvrability. A third but not least aspect, a bad aerodynamical coefficient, which regards also the aesthetical look. Finally, an even most recent solution, with the only purpose of giving a higher sensitivity produced by the direct contact footwear-board, provided the elimination of the articulated base, providing the binding of the fastening tongues directly to the board, in which are preliminarily and partially shrouded some rings . Such dev ice . remain i n g unchanged the main inconvenience of the very uncomfortable adjustment, advised the use of an "ad hoc" footwear , which provided a bottom of the sole wide enough to satisfy the lack of a steady resting on the board. But in spite of such variation, it does not seem that the problem of the unsteadiness of the resting was suitably solved. With the purpose of solving the previously mentioned problems, the same applicant on the base of the Italian application concerning n. TV94A0001 2 I , on which this invention depends, proposed a safety binding, of at least one footwear and technical footwear thus obtained, particularly for snowboards, comprising a static element engaged to said board corresponding to one side of the footwear concerned, longitudinally provided with a seat for receiving at least partially the edge of the same; and one dynamical element, corresponding to the opposite side of the footwear, providing some means for the binding to the board and second means provided with a seat for partially receiving the side edge of the footwear, these latter ones being of the type which yields under the pressure laterally exerted by the same one, being elastically hinged to the first ones which are provided with a no- return stop system, and in which said footwear provides laterally positioned one or two stiff protrusions for each side, obtained by inserts of material having different consistency inserted along the edge of the same sole. The purpose of this invention is also that of obviating the above mentioned i nconveniences. This and other purposes are reached with this innovation according to the characteristics concerning the enclosed claims by solving the mentioned problems by an improved safety binding, of at least one footwear and technical footwear thus obtained, particularly for snowboards, comprisi ng some peripheral fastening means of the footwear, on one side of the static type, on the other dynamical, essentially consisting of - a first semi-shell, made up of a base plate, respectively provided with holes for the binding to the upper part of a board, of guides for the moving of an superi mposed slide and with a corresponding hinge for obtaining the fulcrum of a lever which moves said slide, - one substantially "C" shaped slide, for the synchronous movement of jaws movable within corresponding guides, said slide being on the other side engaged by an articulation arm to a lever, - a double couple of adjustable jaws- respectively a front one and a back one, of which at each couple corresponds a movable jaw pushed, by interplacing a connecting element, by said slide, each single jaw providing a "C" shaped element for the fastening of a reinforced part of the edge of a footwear sole; - and finally, providing a second semi-shell for the box-like closing of the device, which engages at the same time at least the fixed jaws as well as the guides of the movable jaws with said semi-shell base In such way, through the considerable creative contribution whose effect realizes an i mmediate technical progress are obtained many advantages In the first place is obtained an optimal fastening of the footwear to the board, which, besides resulting a much faster procedure during the fixing and vice versa, is made more comfortable and effective avoiding the frequent recourse to new adjustments of the closing tension On the other side, it is given a particular stability to the group footwear-board, which eliminating the i nconvenience of the shimming of the base, makes it extremely sensitive to the variations of the position caused by the feet, substantially easing the manoeuvrabi lity and thus the correct setting of the movements. Advantages, can also be summarized into a good aerodynamics and therefore into a refined aestethics Within the limits of the described solution carried out, it is possible to notice a series of optimizations, which in the first place start from a fairly good functionality of the device, because it al lows comfortably, at first the release of the jaws and therefore the introduction of the footwear, for simply, by actioning a lever, carrying out the subsequent stopping Secondly the lack of a great number of components or of complex articulations, makes the device extremely light, reduced in size, as well as rational and of easy access for the ordinary maintenance Third but not least aspect, is remembered the possibility of recording with a certain fastness and comfortably the size of the clamping jaws of the footwear, according to its size These and other advantages, will appear from the following description of preferential embodiment solutions with the help of the enclosed drawings, whose realization details are not to be considered as limitative but only as examples. Figure 1 shows a top view of a box-like device for the binding of the sole of a footwear to the snowboard. Figure 2 shows a view, from the back side, of the device of the previous figure, with, in section on a cross plane, the sole of a technical footwear Figures 3 and 4 show respectively a view of both sides of a sole for a technical shoe, one of which engaged by said device Figure 5, represents a plan view of a base which is part of the device Figure 6, shows a top view of the base shown on the previous Fi gure. Figures 7 and 8 are side views and partially sectional views of the base shown in Figures 5 and 6 Figures from 9 to 16, show a plan, top, side and sectional views of components of said device, in particular the first ones of a movable jaw, the second ones of a fixed jaw Figures from 17 to 19 and 20-21 show some plan, top and partially sectional views, respectively of a slide for the synchronous movement of the movable jaws and of an interconnecting element for moving at least one movable jaw. Figures 22 and 23, show a plan and a lateral view of a means for guiding at least one movable jaw Figure 24, shows a perspective view of one dynamical part of the device in relation to the slide for the synchronous movement of the movable jaws. Figures 25 and 26, show respectively one plan and one top view of a device, in its closed position for the fastening of a footwear to the board Finally, Figures from 27 to 29, show respectively one sectional plan and cross view, as well as a side view, of a footwear sole provided with reference areas for the gripping of the relative jaws. Suggesting to look also at the figures, it is possible to notice that a snowboard, provides at least a device (A) for the fixing of at least one technical footwear (B) engaged on the upper part of the same board, also misaligned respect to the middle axis passing longitudinally. More in detail, are provided two devices (A) for the binding of the footwears, each of which is engaged directly into contact on the snowboard, and preferably in a misaligned position respect to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. Each device (A) consists fundamentally of a static part and of a dynamical one, almost parallel so that the distance between centers, between the same ones, is a little larger than the sole width. More in detail, it is provided a base that is a semi-shell ( 1 ) having a substantially rectangular shape, consisting of an almost plane metallic surface, in which along at least two of the facing sides, are obtained some delimiting orthogonal sides ( 1 '). A larger side of said base ( 1 ), appears as projecting, in this case outwards, causing an irregular shaping whose purpose is also that of increasing locally the resting surface, and to offer at the same time a steady means for the fastening of a closing lever (2) of the device (A). Practically, to the side of said base ( 1 ) it is provided a tongue ( 1 ") from which raise two perpendicular walls ( ! " ' ), obtaining a kind of "U", both provided with a central hole for the hinging of said lever (2). Finally, always on the surface of said base plate ( 1 ), are provided some holes (3) for allowing the direct fastening of the device (A) to the board, together with a couple of pressed raised and parallel grooves (3¹ ). A second plate or se i- shell (4), obtained roughly with a shaping similar to the first one ( 1 ), is superimposed on said first one, defining the box-like frame which contains static means for the clamping of the footwear sole (B) and the mechanical group for the moving of the dynamical means for the opposite fastening of the footwear sole (B). In particular, the dynamical means consist in the first place of an opposite slide (5), essentially "C" shaped, obtained from a rather large metal sheet, on whose ends are provided some holes (5'), while along the arched development, are provided some female guides (5") logically corresponding to the male grooves (3') provided transversally at the base ( 1 ). Along said arch, that is, in intermediate position, said slide (5), provides the realization of a recess (6) and of a corresponding slot (6'), inside of which is inserted and fastened the end of a tie (7), hinged on the other side along the lever (2), which, as already pointed out, is hinged in its turn to the base ( 1 ). At this point, the dynamical part can be subdivided in two parts, one concerning the front part and one concerning the back part of the safety binding, thus limiting the descπption to only one of these two, the other one being its exact specular copy. To both holes (5' ) of a slide (5), is engaged an element (13), for the connection to one movable jaw (8), having an "L" shape placed along one side, where while one end, with a longer section ( 13'), is hinged on the end part of the movable slide (5), the shorter and projecting section ( 13") provides a round shaped end, to be inserted inside of a housing (8') of a corresponding movable jaw (8). More in detail, each movable jaw (8) consists of a pad, which comprises substantially a flat section, always in metal, on which is obtained a guiding slot (8'"), and where, along one side, has been realized said seat (8' ) which houses the rounded end ( 13") of the connecting element (13). The movable pad (8), comprises also a perpendicularly "C" shaped folded section (8") which makes up the clamping hook of one part of the footwear (B). In opposition to the movable jaws (8), there are, on both sides, respective fixed jaws (9), on which the first ones are partially superimposed. The shaping of each of the fixed jaws (9), which make up the static part of the device (A), also provides a flat section, on which are obtained some adjustment holes (9^*), and one end (9") peφendicularly folded to form a "C" as hook turned in opposition for the clamping in axis with the end (8") of the footwear's sole (B). In this case, both jaws, (both of the front and of the back part), respectively the movable one (9) and the fixed one (8), are housed inside of a raised guide shaped as a turned "U" ( 1 1 ), obtained by giving a particular shape to an element ( 10). In such case, this latter is placed above both ends, front-back ones of the base plate ( 1 ). Each element ( 10) provides also some wings ( 10' - 10") to which correspond some holes ( 10'") for being fastened together with the semi-shell (4), by the same screws, to the base ( 1 ) and then to the underlying board. Not last, having to allow the sliding of the corresponding movable jaw (8), along a side of the element ( 10) intercommunicating with the guide ( 1 1 ), is provided a longitudinal slot into which is inserted the end ( 13") of the connecting element ( 13), which therefore, is inserted into the housing (8'). Finally, as we pointed out, is superimposed the closing plate or semi-shell (4), which rests on the upper part of each element ( 10), that is on the guide's back ( 1 1 ), and here fixed by some regular screws which fasten the whole to the underlying board. For what concerns the footwear (B), it is provided in particular that in a traditional sole ( 12), are transversally shrouded some metal sheets ( 16), respectively at least two, of which one concerning the front part and one the back part. Said metal sheets ( 16), provide along the same ones, a kind of double calking or rag bolts ( 14), both obtained in opposition which favour the gripping of these same to the sole. While for what concerns the ends, they have a perpendicular turn-down ( 15) preferably turned downwards and contained peripherally to the sole's edge ( 12). The operational scheme of the device is therefore the foUowing one. Starting from a rest position, the device (A) appears with the lever (2) in a lowered position, in this case as shown in Figure 25 and 26. The result will be that both movable jaws (8) - dynamical part - appear as approached to the couple of fixed jaws (9) - static part -. The athlete therefore, must at first unfasten the safety binding and after insert the footwear in it. For acting so, he must at first lift the lever (2), as shown in Figure 1 and following, which determines a certain movement on the horizontal plane of the slide (5), which pushes in a synchronous way, the couple of elements for the connection and tolerance compensation ( 13) which in their turn push both the movable jaws (8), removing them from the fixed ones (9). At this point, the athlete can insert, by a simple movement from the top downwards, the footwear (B), making sure to place in axis with said jaws (8,9) the areas of the edge ( 15) locally reinforced for the fastening, provided along the perimeter of the sole (12). Exerting viceversa a slight traction on the lever (2), opposite to the fastening, will be thus obtained the reapproching of the movable jaws (8), and therefore the steady fastening of the footwear (B) to the snowboard.

Claims

Claims 1 . Improved ski safety binding, of at least one footwear and technical footwear thus obtained, particularly for snowboards, characterized in that it comprises a static part (9) associated to said board corresponding to a side of the footwear concerned (B), comprising longitudinally some seats (9") for housing at least partially the edge of the sole ( 12) of one same footwear (B); and one dynamical part corresponding to the opposite side of the footwear (B), consisting of means (5) for the synchronous movement of parts provided with at least one seat (8") for housing in their turn partially the sole's edge ( 12) of the footwear (B), along which are peripherally obtained some reinforced areas ( 15). 2. Improved ski safety binding according to claim 1 ., characterized in that it consists of: - a semi-shell base ( 1 ), provided respectively with holes (3) for the fastening to the upper part of a board, as well as of guides (3') for moving at least one superimposed slide (5), and of a corresponding hinge acting as fulcrum for a lever (2) which moves said slide (5); - one slide (5) for the synchronous movement of movable jaws (8) within corresponding guides ( 1 1 ), said slide (5) being on the other side engaged to a lever (2); - a double couple of jaws: respectively a front one and a back one, of which at each couple corresponding a movable jaw (8) pushed, by said slide (5), and in which each single jaw (8,9) provides one end (8", 9") for the fastening of one part ( 15) of the sole's edge ( 12) of a footwear (B); - and finally, providing a semi-shell (4) for the box-like closing of the device (A). 3. Improved ski safety binding according to claims I . and 2., characterized in that to each snowboard, correspond two devices (A) for the binding of the footwears (B), each of which is engaged directly in contact with the skiboard, and preferably in misaligned position respect to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard, each device (A), essentially consisting of one static and one dynamical part, almost parallel so that the distance between the centers of the same ones, is just a little larger than the sole's width. 4. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that the base or semi-shell ( I ) has a substantially rectangular shape, in which: - along at least two of the facing sides, are obtained some orthogonal delimiting small sides ( 1 '); - on the side, said base ( 1 ) projects with a tongue ( 1") from which raise two perpendicular walls ( ! " ' ), obtaining a "U", both provided with a central hole for the hinging of a lever (2); - on the surface of the base plate ( 1 ), are provided some holes (3) for the direct fastening of the device (A) to the board, together with a couple of transversal raised and parallel grooves (3^*). 5. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that a second plate or upper semi-shell (4), has a shape similar to the first one ( 1 ), being superimposed on the first for defining the box-like frame which contains static means (9) for the clamping of the footwear's sole (B) and the mechanical moving group consisting of the dynamical part for the opposite f astening of the sole (12) of a footwear (B). 6. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that the dynamical part has an opposite slide (5), essentially shaped as a "C", on whose ends are provided some holes (5' ), while along the arched development, are provided female guides (5") corresponding to male grooves (3') provided transversally at the base ( 1 ), and in which along said arch, that is, in intermediate position, said slide (5) provides a recess (6) and a corresponding slot (6'), in whose inside is fastened the end of a tie (7), hinged on the other side along the lever (2) hinged at the base ( 1 ). 7. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that to both holes (5') of a slide (5), is engaged a corresponding element ( 13), for the intermediate connection with a respective movable jaw (8). 8. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that each connecting element ( 13), has an "L" shape, where while one end, with a longer section ( 13'), is hinged on the end of the movable slide (5), the shorter and projecting section (13") provides a round shaped ending, to be inserted inside of a housing (8') of a corresponding movable jaw (8). 9. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that each movable jaw (8) consists of a pad, which substantially comprises a flat section, on which is obtained a guiding slot (8'"), and where, along one side, is made said seat (8') which houses the rounded ending ( 13") of the tie ( 13); the movable pad (8), comprising also a section perpendicularly "C"- like folded (8") obtaining a clamping hook of one part of the footwear (B). 10. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that in opposition to the movable jaws (8), there are, on both sides respective fixed jaws (9), on which the first ones are partially superimposed. 1 1. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that the shape of each of the fixed jaws (9), which make up the static part of the device (A), provides also a flat section, on which are obtained adjustment holes (9'), and one end (9") perpendicularly folded to make a "C" shaped seat as a hook turned in opposition for the clamping in axis with the end (8"), of the sole (12) of a footwear (B). 12. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that both couples of jaws, both of the front and of the back part, of which at least the movable one (8), are housed inside of a guide ( 1 1 ). 13. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that the guide ( 1 1 ) is obtained by giving a raised "U" turned shape to an element ( 10), which, is placed above both ends, front-back ones of the base-plate ( 1 ). 14. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that each element ( 10), is fastened together with the semi-shell (4), by same screws, to the base ( 1 ) and therefore to the underlying board. 15. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that along one side of the element ( 10) intercommunicating with the guide ( 1 1 ), is provided a longitudinal slot into which is inserted the end ( 13") of the connecting element ( 13), which then, is inserted into the housing (8 ' ). 16. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that into one sole ( 12) are transversally shrouded some preferably metallic sheets ( 16), respectively at least two, one of which concerns the upper part and the other the back part. 17. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that said metal sheets ( 16), provide along the same ones, two rag bolts ( 14), both obtained in opposition. 18. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that the ends, of said metal sheets (16), have only one perpendicular turn-down ( 15) preferably turned downwards and peripherally contained at the edge of the sole ( 12). 19. Improved ski safety binding according to previous claims, characterized in that both the couple of fixed jaws (9) and the movable ones (8) are placed in correspondence of areas ( 15) obtained peripherally to the sole (12) of a footwear (B).