WO2002051509A1

WO2002051509A1 - Spacer for snowboards

Info

Publication number: WO2002051509A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000739
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürg Kunz; Peter Martin
Original assignee: Dakuga Holding Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-12-22
Filing date: 2001-12-24
Publication date: 2002-07-04
Also published as: EP1216729A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacer (1) to be placed between the snowboarder and the snowboard. The spacer (1) has a top part (2) and a bottom part (10), which are actively connected by a direction-specific coupling means (6, 14) in such a way that movement can be carried out at least in one direction in space (z) and that movement in at least another direction in space is blocked.

Description

SPACER FOR SNOW SLIDING BOARDS

The invention relates to a spacer for snow sliding boards, esp. Snowboards according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Snowboards are used for gliding on snow, especially on and next to slopes and on ice. Driving and jumping with snowboards over natural terrain or jumps is very popular. Existing binding and shoe systems, e.g. for snowboards, have the disadvantage that they are not elastic enough and only insufficient damping. As a result, they are not very suitable for absorbing impacts due to uneven slopes, jumps or falls. Since these forces can be very large, there is a not inconsiderable risk of injury to the driver. The joints of the lower extremities and the spine are particularly stressed when landing on hard or frozen ground.

In the known systems, individual adaptation to the personal driving style is not possible, since there are generally no or insufficient setting options.

BESTATIGUΝGSKOPIE It is the object of the invention disclosed here to show a spacer for snowboard bindings, which makes it possible to offer individual, direction-specific setting options. The spacer should be able to be used to dampen harmful impacts and vibrations.

The object is achieved by the invention defined in the patent claims.

The invention is based on the fact that adjustable spacing means are arranged between the standing surfaces of a snowboard driver and a snow sliding board in alignment and arrangement. The spacers are integrated in a binding system or can be combined with this. The spacing means generally have a lower part and an upper part, which are operatively connected via one or more coupling means which act in a direction-specific manner (joints, elastic, damping or rigid elements, stop surfaces, pairs of grooves / pins, etc.). In addition to the coupling means, there may be further spring / damper elements which operatively connect the upper part to the lower part. The lower part can be connected to a snowboard and the upper part to a driver. They are adjustable in angle and orientation.

The coupling means transmit forces and / or movements between the driver and the snowboard in a direction-specific manner. The direction-specific coupling means define spatial degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotatory) by having selective, direction-dependent properties. As a result, movements (translational and / or rotary) in certain spatial directions are possible, blocked or are specifically influenced, for example damped. The coupling means can be designed such that a coupling is present between two or more degrees of freedom. In contrast to the arrangements known from the prior art, the operative connections between the driver and the snowboard by the spacing means are not necessarily rigid, but rather allow degrees of freedom to be influenced in a targeted manner. This makes it possible to optimize the control impulses and the effort as well as the "information flow" (response) between the snow board and the driver and at the same time to absorb or reduce harmful impacts and shocks. Part of the jump energy is absorbed during jumps. Forces and impacts that are harmful to health are significantly reduced so that injuries are avoided and ligaments, joints and muscles are spared. The spacer is advantageously designed in such a way that properties, in particular with regard to damping, power transmission and alignment, can be influenced or are adjustable.

The spacer according to the invention can be integrated into a binding system for snow gliding boards or else or combined with this (e.g. as a separate intermediate plate), whereby it is compatible with common shoe, binding and snowboard systems. The spacer is advantageously designed such that the inclination between a standing surface of the driver and a sliding surface of a snow sliding board is adjustable, so that an ergonomic position is possible. It is particularly adjustable in angle and orientation.

The influence of the spacer on the individual degrees of freedom can be progressive, degressive or neutral. This means that forces are transmitted linearly or non-linearly. Such behavior can be achieved, for example, by changing the geometry of a coupling means. Pillows or hollow bodies are preferably used which are filled with gas, foams, plastic elements or liquids. If necessary, these have compensation means. The distance means can also be designed such that the distance and the orientation between a snow gliding board and a driver can be influenced in a targeted manner. By increasing the distance between the driver's footprint and the sliding surface of the snow sliding board, it is possible that the effective lever arms can be increased and the required effort can be reduced. In particular, the risk of overhanging parts, for example when hanging on the edge of the snow sliding board, from the ground is reduced.

If necessary, the spacer is designed in such a way that it supports and enlarges the standing area for the driver and / or the load introduction areas into the snowboard. This can be achieved in that parts which transmit forces to the snowboard and / or the driver are designed such that they, e.g. after loosening certain fasteners, can be moved into different positions. In these different positions, they exert different influences on the load transfer and the transmission of forces. The introduction of load, particularly into the snow sliding board, is advantageously designed in such a way that the forces are distributed.

A spacer according to the invention can be constructed, for example, as follows. An upper part, which can be operatively connected to (or is integrated into) a binding for a snowboard boot, is coupled to a lower part, which can be operatively connected to a snow sliding board. The coupling is designed in such a way that certain of the three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom in the direction of the three spatial directions (x, y, z) between the upper and the lower part are dependent or blocked independently of one another, are not influenced or are influenced , Between the first and the second element there are further elements which transmit forces between the two coupled elements. These elements are usually responsible for the elasticity and the damping behavior. They preferably consist of gas-filled elements ten, foam bodies, plastic elements. These elements are responsible for either the elastic behavior, the damping or both. If necessary, the spacer can be designed such that certain degrees of freedom have a coupling.

The spacer can be designed with or without a binding such that it triggers when a certain direction-dependent load is exceeded, so that the driver can separate from the board. The distance means for both feet of the driver are coordinated in their triggering by suitable means such that they essentially trigger together.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show schematically and very simplified:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a spacer in a perspective sectional view.

2 shows the spacing means according to FIG. 1 in a partial sectional illustration;

3 shows a second embodiment of a spacer with an integrated binding;

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of a spacer with an integrated bond. - -

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a spacer 1 in a perspective view.

An upper part 2, which is operatively connected to a commercially available binding 4 for a snowboard boot (not shown in more detail), consists in the variant shown of a binding plate 5 on which lateral pins 6 are formed, which are arranged coaxially with one another. The upper part 2 is advantageously designed such that it is compatible with various bindings available on the market.

A lower part 10 consists of a base plate 11, in the middle of which an adapter 12 is arranged, and of two guide means 13, which protrude above the base plate 11 and each have an elongated opening (slot) 14. Side surfaces 19 of the guide means 13 and flanks 17, 18 of the slots 14 serve as a guide, respectively. Limiting means for the pins 6 of the upper part 2, such that movement of the upper part 2 with respect to the lower part 10 in the direction of a longitudinal axis (x) and in the direction of a transverse axis (y) is prevented, but at the same time movement in the direction of a vertical axis (z), along the slot 14 (z) is possible to a limited extent. The guide means 13 are designed in such a way that the upper part 2 can be rotated in a controlled manner about the longitudinal (x) and about the transverse axis (y). The slots 14 and the pins 6 together form a coupling means which acts in a direction-specific manner on the transmission of forces and movements between the lower and upper part, or between the snowboard and the driver. The coupling means is designed in such a way that there is practically no influence between the degrees of freedom.

The adapter 12, which is used to fasten the spacer 1 on a snow sliding board (not shown in more detail), here consists of an essentially round disk 30 which has openings 32 for receiving fastening screws (fastening means). The openings 32 are arranged such that they correspond to the are compatible with various hole patterns of snow sliding boards available on the market. The diameter of the adapter 12 corresponds to an opening 33 in the base plate 11 of the second element 10. The disk 30 and the opening 33 each have a toothing 34 which engage in the assembled state, so that the disk 30 is inadvertently rotated relative to the Adapter 12 is prevented. The adapter 12 is designed such that in the assembled state, ie when the fastening screws are tightened, the spacer 1 is securely fixed on the snow sliding board so that control and reaction forces are transmitted between the driver and the snow sliding board. By means of the toothing 34, the spacing means 1 can be adjusted in angle and orientation with respect to the snow sliding board.

Spring / damping elements 15 are arranged here between the upper part 2 and the lower part 10, which influence the movement of the upper 2 relative to the lower part 10. A detailed description of the functioning of the spring / damping elements 15 is given in the description of FIG. 2.

The orientation of the first relative to the second element 2, 10, respectively. in the assembled state of the binding 4 in relation to a sliding surface of a snow sliding board (not shown in more detail), the embodiment shown here can be set in different ways. The lateral inclination and the distance between the upper part 2 and the lower part 10 can be adjusted by means of two adjusting means 40. The adjusting means 40 are designed here as adjusting screws which act on the pins 6 in the area of the slots 14. The position of the pins 6 in the z direction is individually adjusted by turning the adjusting screws 40. In the embodiment shown here, the behavior of the spring / damping elements is specifically influenced. Depending on the position of the adjusting screws 40, these are compressed to a greater or lesser extent, which affects their properties. If the set screws 40 are screwed in completely, the movement of the upper part 2 relative to the lower part 10 is blocked. FIG. 2 shows, greatly simplified and schematically, the spacer 1 according to FIG. 1 in a perspective sectional illustration. Certain parts of the binding 4 and the spacer 1 have been cut away, so that a look inside is possible.

The illustration shows the pin 6 and the guide means 13 in a sectional view. The pin 6 is shown here in simplified form as part of the upper part 2. As can be seen, the adjusting screw 40 is operatively connected to the pin 6. The position of the pin 6 relative to the guide means 13 can be defined by turning the adjusting screw.

Hollow bodies 15 can be seen between the upper 2 and the lower part 10, which serve as spring / damping elements and influence the movements of the first 2 relative to the second element 10. In the embodiment shown here, the hollow bodies are filled with gas and connected to one another by means of tubular compensating means 16, which bring about a certain coupling. The compensating means 16 serve to equalize the pressure between the individual hollow bodies 15. The hollow bodies 15 are designed such that their behavior can be changed in a targeted manner, for example by filling in more or less gas. For example. by means of a pump (not shown in detail) or other means, gas can be added or discharged via a valve. The elastic elements 15 can be exchanged if necessary and / or combined with other means. As an alternative to the hollow bodies 15, other spring / damper elements can also be provided. Foam elements, hydraulic cylinders, springs made of steel or plastic, etc. are particularly suitable. A combination of these is also possible. The spring / damping elements 15 make it possible to influence the position of the upper 2 relative to the lower part 10 about the y axis. With the illustrated embodiment, it is possible to set the angle between the driver's standing surface 5 and a sliding surface of the snow sliding board (not shown in more detail) in a certain range in the x and y directions. The setting is made in the x direction tion by means of the set screws 40 and in the y direction, for example by placing spacers under them.

The hollow bodies 15 are arranged in such a way that they are compressed or relieved when the first 2 moves relative to the second element 10. Their geometry is changed in such a way that they exhibit a progressive behavior, in that the areas on which the pressure acts are deliberately enlarged by the deformation. Depending on the need and application, other elements can be used so that a different characteristic is achieved. The spacer 1 is advantageously designed in such a way that different elements can be exchanged for one another. For example, it makes sense to use different spring / damper elements on a hard slope than in deep snow.

The base plate 11 of the second element 10 is designed in such a way that it transmits forces in the assembled state over a large area and, if necessary, location-dependent to a snow sliding board. For this purpose, adjustable elements are provided if necessary, which make it possible to adjust the load introduction areas, respectively. adapt.

The spacer 1 is preferably made of plastic and / or metal. Plastic parts are preferably made by injection molding. It is possible to process fibers that result in increased strength.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. This is a spacer 1 with a binding 4 integrated into a binding plate 5. The binding plate 5 of this embodiment essentially corresponds to the first element 2 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. On the binding plate 2 are laterally two coaxially arranged bearing pins 6, each of which engage in an elongated opening 14 of a guide means 13 projecting above the base plate 11. The two elongated openings 14 are aligned with one another and extend essentially in the vertical direction (z direction). They are arranged in such a way that the binding plate 5 can be displaced to a certain extent in the direction of the vertical axis (z direction) and can be rotated about the longitudinal (x-axis) or the transverse axis (y-axis). An adapter 12 for connection to a snowboard is arranged in the middle of the base plate 11. The adapter 12 has, along its circumference, means which engage in countermeasures of the base plate 11 in the assembled state and thus prevent the base plate from being moved unintentionally.

In the area of the toe and in the area of the heel, a damping element 15 is arranged below the binding plate 5. These are spring / damper elements, which can be made of foam or another elastic and / or damping material, for example. Two essentially sickle-shaped load introduction means 20 are arranged below the damping elements 15 (other configurations are possible). These are used to distribute and introduce the forces that occur when driving into the snowboard (not shown in more detail). The load introduction means 20 are preferably adjustable in alignment and distance (radial and tangential) with respect to the base plate 11, so that the forces can be introduced into the snowboard in a targeted manner. In certain weight-optimized embodiments, it is possible that the damping elements 15 also act directly on the surface of the snowboard (not shown in more detail). The load introduction means 20 can rest over a large area or only at certain points in such a way that the forces are specifically introduced.

If necessary, the load introduction means 20 have a mechanical connection to the base plate 11 such that they are held in position and do not move unintentionally when driving. Such an embodiment can, for example consist in that a region of the load introduction means 20 engages under the edge of the base plate 11, such that when the base plate 11 is attached to a snowboard, the load introduction means 20 are simultaneously fixed.

So that the weight of the spacer 1 is additionally reduced, the individual parts can have additional cutouts. The individual parts are preferably produced by injection molding. The components of the spacer 1 are preferably designed to be modular and interchangeable, so that, for example, the base plate 11 can be used with different binding plates 2. The load introduction means 20 can themselves have resilient and / or damping properties, so that they replace the damping elements.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a spacer 1 with an integrated binding 4. The spacer 1 has a spring element 21 in the front and in the rear region of a binding plate 2. The spring elements 21 are designed here as curved, elastic brackets 21, which each rest in two areas on the surface of a snowboard and transfer forces there from the binding plate 2 to the snowboard. The brackets 21 are preferably rigidly connected to the binding plate, so that they can transmit lateral forces and moments in particular to the bracket and thus to the snowboard. The brackets are preferably designed to be interchangeable and consist of metal or plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic. If necessary, other materials can be used. In the embodiment shown here, a damping element 22, for example made of non-slip rubber, is arranged at the ends of the brackets 21. In the middle, the brackets 21 are releasably attached to the binding plate 2, for example by means of screws. The brackets 21 are preferably adjustable in alignment and spacing relative to the binding plate 2. The brackets 21 are designed such that they press the binding plate 2 upwards in the assembled state. The upper end position is determined by the journals 6 and the elongated openings 14 of the guide means 13, which engage in the elongated openings 14 and are guided through them. If required, the embodiment shown here can be provided with adjusting means which serve to adjust the inclination in the longitudinal and transverse directions (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). The journals 6 are not necessarily arranged laterally. They can also be arranged at the front and rear of the binding plate, as long as there is no risk of them hanging on when driving around when the snowboard is placed on its edge. Instead of the combination bearing journal 6 / guide means 13, other coupling means which act in a kinematic manner can also be used, as long as the functionality (degrees of freedom) is not negatively influenced and the construction is not too heavy. In certain cases, flexible couplings made of rubber or another material are suitable.

In the middle of the base plate 11, an adapter 12 can be seen, which has a perforated pattern which corresponds to the perforated pattern of different types of snowboard. This means that the spacer 1 can be used with most common snowboards.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are characterized in that they are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and have only a small number of simple parts. The parts are largely designed so that they are suitable for production by means of injection molding of plastic.

It is self-evident for the person skilled in the art that further embodiments can be derived from a combination of the spacing means shown.

Claims

Spacer means (1) for arrangement between a boot and a snow sliding board, which spacer means (1) has an upper part (2), a lower part (10) and at least one spring / damper element (15) which opposes the movement of the upper part (2) influences the lower part (10), characterized in that the upper part (2) is operatively connected to the lower part (10) via at least one direction-specific coupling means (6, 14) such that movement in at least one spatial direction (z) is possible and that movement in at least one other spatial direction (x, y) is blocked.

2. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means (6, 14, 40) is designed such that rotation of the upper part (2) about the vertical axis (z) is blocked, but rotation about the longitudinal (x) and around the transverse axis (y) is possible and that a translation of the upper part (2) in the longitudinal (x) and transverse directions (y) is blocked, but is possible in the direction of the vertical axis (z).

3. spacing means (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one adjusting means (40) for adjusting the inclination of the upper part

(2) with respect to the x and / or the y axis and / or the distance of the upper (2) relative to the lower part (10) and / or for locking the upper (10) relative to the lower part (2) serves.

4. spacer means (1) according to its one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling means (6, 14) consists of a pin (6) which is guided in an elongated slot (14, 17, 18).

5. spacer (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that on the upper part (2) laterally two mutually coaxially arranged pins (6) are formed, each in a substantially vertically aligned, elongated opening (14) of two over the lower part (10) engaging guide means (13).

6. Spacer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring / damper element (15) is a gas-filled hollow body (15) or a foam element (15) or a spring element made of metal or plastic ,

7. spacer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring / damper element (15) between the upper part (2) and the lower part (10) are arranged.

8. spacing means (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one spring / damper element (15) are arranged between the upper part (2) and a surface of the snow sliding board.

9. spacing means (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a load introduction means (20) is arranged between the at least one spring / damper element (15) and the surface of the snow sliding board.

0. spacing means (1) according to one of the claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the spring / damper element (15) and the load introduction means in distance and orientation relative to the lower part (10) are adjustable.