WO2004089481A2

WO2004089481A2 - Binder with a two-part connecting element

Info

Publication number: WO2004089481A2
Application number: PCT/FR2004/000789
Authority: WO
Inventors: François Girard
Original assignee: Salom0N S.A.
Priority date: 2003-04-03
Filing date: 2004-03-30
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: FR2853253B1; FR2853253A1; NO20055105L; NO20055105D0; EP1608444A2; WO2004089481A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for binding a boot (15) to a sports article (11), comprising a connecting element (14) linked to a base (12) by means of at least one small connecting rod (16) and which enters into contact with said base (12) via a curved surface (19), whereby the connecting element (14) is displaced by sliding on said curved surface (19), characterized in that the connecting element (14) comprises at least two front (14a) and rear parts (14b) which are articulated in relation to each other about a transversal axis (A3), and in that each of said parts (14a, 14b) comprises at least one retaining system (44, 48) which is used to cooperated with an anchoring element (41, 42) of the boot (15).

Description

FIXING WITH A TWO-PART LINK

The invention relates to a device for attaching a shoe to a sports article.

The invention may be applied in particular to devices for attaching a boot to a ski. It can in particular be used for the design of cross-country ski, Nordic ski touring, Telemark ski or Alpine ski touring bindings.

An example of such a type of attachment is described in patent application WO 00/13755 to which reference will usefully be made for a global understanding of the operation of such a attachment. A device of the same kind, more specifically dedicated to alpine trekking and Telemark is described in patent application EP-A1-890,379.

The principle of such a device is to allow a fixation of the boot on the ski which is perfectly rigid in torsion but which allows free lifting of the heel of the boot. The device described in document WO 00/13755 is an improvement on the binding systems currently used, for example in cross-country skiing or in ski touring in which the boot is articulated by its front end about an axis transverse to the ski. . In fact, the movement of the foot relative to the ski, when the heel is raised, is a movement which is no longer a simple rotation and which is as close as possible to the natural movement of the foot.

The invention may also be implemented in the context of a fixing device of the type described in document WO 96/37269 and in document EP-Q.914.844.

The invention aims to provide an improvement to this kind of fasteners. In fact, in particular for the practice of cross-country skiing, it is necessary for the shoe-binding assembly to hinder the natural unwinding movement of the foot as little as possible. This is all the more the case when using shoes of which at least part of the sole is flexible to allow for example the flexion of the foot at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

To this end, the invention provides a device for attaching a shoe to a sporting article, of the type comprising a member for connecting to the shoe which is capable of moving relative to the sporting article between a low position. and a high position, of the type in which the connecting member is linked to a base by at least one link and is also in contact with this base via a curved surface, the displacement of the connection being made in particular by rolling on the curved surface, characterized in that the connection member comprises at least two front and rear parts which are articulated with respect to each other about a transverse axis, and in that that each of the parts comprises at least one retaining system intended to cooperate with a member for anchoring the shoe.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows as well as on seeing the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a fixing device in accordance with the teachings of the invention, illustrated in the low position; and. Figures 2 to 4 are views similar to that of Figure 1 illustrates the device in different positions, up to its high position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for attaching a shoe to a sporting article, of the type comprising a connecting member to the shoe which is capable of moving relative to the sporting article. between a low position and a high position, of the type in which the connecting member is linked to a base by at least one connecting rod and is moreover in contact with this base by means of a curved surface, the displacement of the connecting member being made by rolling on the curved surface, characterized in that the device comprises a bearing surface against which the connecting member comes to bear when it reaches a reference position.

The invention will be described here in an embodiment in which the binding device is more particularly intended for cross-country skiing. The fastening device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a base 12 which is intended to be fixed to a sports article 11, but which could also be directly integrated into the latter. The base 12 could also be made in several parts, some or not of these parts being integrated in the sports article 11.

The fastening device 10 also includes a connecting member 14 on which a shoe 15 is intended to be hung. According to the invention, this attachment member is produced in two front 14a and rear 14b parts which are articulated relative to each other about a transverse axis A3.

As described in document WO 00/13755, the connecting member 14 is designed to be fixed under the front part of the shoe 15 and to switch between a low position illustrated in FIG. 1 (the connecting member is then substantially horizontal) and a high position illustrated in FIG. 4 when the user's heel is raised relative to the sports article, with the intermediate positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The connecting member 14 is linked to the base by a link 16 which is rotatably mounted around two transverse axes A1 and A2 on the one hand on a stud of the base 12, and on the other hand on the connecting member 14. In the example illustrated, it can be seen that the link 16 is articulated on the front part 14a of the connecting member. In the example illustrated, the rod 16 is articulated by its rear end (relative to the direction of the sports article) on the base 12 and by its front end on the front end of the connecting member 14 of so that, in the low position, the link and the connecting member are nested one inside the other. For this, one can for example provide that the link consists in fact of two parallel elements offset transversely on either side of the connecting member. However, it is also possible to implement the invention by placing the link in front of the connecting member, that is to say by articulating it by its front end on the base and by its rear end on the front end of the connecting member.

During the heel lifting movement, when the connecting member 14 passes from its low position to its high position, the connecting member 14 is supported on the base by its part front 14a which has, on at least part, a curved profile 19. The shape and the evolution of the curved profile 19 conditions, as a function of the angular orientation of the connecting member, the position in height of the axis A2 relative to the base 12. By an optimal design of the curved profile 19, and by a judicious choice of the length and the initial angle of the link 16, the relative movement of the connecting member 14 is conditioned by compared to the base 12 during the heel lifting phase. In the example illustrated, it can be seen that the angular movement of the link 16 is weak, for example of the order of 10 to 20 degrees when the connecting member 14 switches at an angle of the order of sixty of degrees, and that, taking into account the initial angle of the link, it results in a small but real forward displacement of the axis A2. Note that the movement. heel lifting is carried out by a rolling movement with sliding of the curved profile 19 on the base 12.

We will now describe in more detail the means which ensure the attachment of the shoe to the connecting member in two parts.

In the example illustrated, the shoe 15 comprises two anchoring members 41, 42 which are arranged in the sole of the shoe so as to be flush below it. Anchors 41, 42 of this type are described in patent applications EP-A-913.102 and EP-A-913.103 to which reference will usefully be made for more details. Thus, these are two cylindrical bars of revolution arranged across a longitudinal groove arranged in the underside of the sole. The front bar 41 is for example located at the front end of the sole and the rear bar 42 is offset backwards to be arranged at or in front of a zone the shoe corresponding to the metatarsal flexion zone -phalangeal from the user's foot. However, the invention could be implemented with anchoring members having another geometry. Furthermore, as will be understood on reading the following, the invention will be particularly important for the case where the sole of the shoe has a certain flexibility, at least for the area between the two bars 41, 42.

The connecting member comprises, at the front of its front part 14a, a fixed hook 44 which delimits a groove 46 open longitudinally towards the rear and which is designed to receive the front cylindrical bar 41 of the shoe. The hook 44 is arranged above the upper face of the connecting member 14.

The connecting member 14 also comprises, on its rear part 14b, a second retaining system which in this case consists of an automatic lock 48 and which is designed to receive the rear cylindrical bar 42 of the shoe. According to this example, the rear automatic lock 48 comprises a fixed jaw which consists of a groove open upwards, and a movable sliding jaw 50 which is provided with elastic return means 52 for pushing it backwards into its position closure illustrated in FIGS. 1. In this position, the two jaws define a housing of section corresponding to that of the rear transverse bar 42 of the shoe 15. The movable jaw 50 comprises an inclined ramp 54 which is arranged so that , when the bar 42 exerts on the ramp 54 a substantially vertical force, from top to bottom, it pushes the movable jaw 50 forward towards an open position in which it allows access to the throat. When the bar 42 has penetrated into the groove, the return means 52 of the movable jaw 50 return the latter to its closed position. The bar 42 is then trapped in the housing defined by the front lock 48.

In this position, the front bar 41 is therefore also blocked at the bottom of the groove 46 of the front hook 44. In this way, the two bars being blocked, the shoe 15 is perfectly hooked on the connecting member 14. For unhook the shoe, one can for example provide that a zipper (not shown) is linked to the movable jaw 50 to urge it forward against the spring 52, thus initially allowing the release of the bar rear 42, vertically upwards, and secondly the release of the front bar 41, longitudinally rearward.

The fixing device 10 also includes an elastic return system of the connecting member 14 to its low position. Advantageously, the elastic return system comprises at least one elastic member

20 which is linked to the sports article 11, and a flexible link 30 which connects the elastic member 20 to the connecting member 14 and which cooperates with at least one return member 34.

In the example illustrated, the fixing device 10 comprises a guide edge 18 which is formed from a profile of parallelepipedic section and which extends longitudinally towards the rear, behind the connecting member. In known manner, this guide edge 18 is provided to cooperate with a groove of complementary section arranged in the sole of the shoe to ensure lateral guidance of the shoe / binding assembly.

Advantageously, the elastic member 20 is integrated inside a housing 22 formed inside this edge. In the example illustrated, the elastic member 20 is a compression spring which is disposed horizontally and longitudinally in the housing 22. The front end of the spring 20 bears against a front face 24 of the housing 22. This front end of the spring is therefore fixed. The rear end of the spring bears against a movable carriage 26 which can slide longitudinally relative to the base 12 and to the edge 18. More specifically, the carriage 26 has a front end 27 which moves at a front opening 29 of the housing 22, and a rear end 31 which moves in the housing 22 and on which the rear end of the spring 20 is supported.

Such an arrangement of an elastic member and a movable carriage is analogous to that found in the device described in document EP-768.103 and in some of the cross-country ski binding devices sold by the applicant. However, unlike this prior art in which the elastic member is connected to the shoe by a link, the device shown here comprises a flexible link 30 which connects the elastic member 20 to the connecting member 14.

As can be seen in the figures, the link 30 is not hung directly on the elastic member 14 but on the front end 27 of the carriage 26. It passes over a reference 34 which here consists of a pulley mounted on the stud, coaxially with the rod 16 around the axis Al. The reference could also consist of a simple sliding surface, preferably curved. The other end of the link 30 is hooked on the connecting member 14 so that the part of the flexible link 30 which extends between the reference 34 and the connecting member 14 is substantially vertical, so that the return force exerted on the connecting member 14 is mainly directed downwards, including when the latter is in the high position as illustrated in FIG. 1. On the contrary, the part of the link 30 which goes from the reference to the elastic member 20 extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

In the example illustrated, it can be seen that the flexible link is hung on the rear part 14b of the connecting member, but it could also be provided that it is hung on the front part 14a.

As can be seen from the figures, when the connecting member 14 passes from its low position to its high position, the flexible link 30 pulls the movable carriage 26 forward and causes the compression of the spring 20, which therefore provides a reminder effort. Preferably, the flexible link is substantially inextensible. It may for example be a metal cable or a fiber cable with very low extensibility, for example a cable made of aramid fibers. It is also conceivable that this link is made in the form of a band. This traction strip can for example be produced in the form of a metal strip, or even a bundle of parallel fibers embedded in a polymer material. Preferably, the link is flexible and flexible enough not to provide a noticeable elastic effect, and above all to support a bevel gear of approximately 90 degrees.

The operation of the device according to the invention will now be described in more detail. In Figure 1, the shoe / binding assembly is shown in a low rest position. The two parts 14a and 14b of the connecting member 14, each connected by its retaining system 44, 48 to the corresponding anchoring member 41, 42 of the shoe 15, are substantially aligned.

In Figure 2, the user has started to lift their heel. In the example illustrated, it can be seen that this beginning of lifting results in a slight pivoting around the axis A3 of the rear part 14b of the connecting member with respect to the front part 14a, which remains substantially stationary. This configuration will be found especially in the case where the sole of the shoe is very flexible. On the contrary, with a more rigid sole (without being completely rigid), the initial relative pivoting could be much weaker, even insignificant. In this case, the lifting of the shoe will simply result in an overall displacement of the connecting member 14 following the rolling movement with sliding proper to this kind of attachment. With an intermediate stiffness sole, the start of lifting will result in a combination of these two phenomena.

FIG. 3 illustrates an even more raised position of the boot in which the front part 14a of the connecting member comes into abutment against a bearing surface 56 which is arranged at the front of the base 12. The purpose of this bearing surface 56 is to stop the movement of the front part 14a of the connecting member 14 in a predetermined position. In this way, a reference element is introduced by which the user can "recognize" or "feel" a reference position.

If the user continues his heel lifting movement, this movement will necessarily be by relative pivoting of the two front 14a and rear 14b parts of the connecting member 14, which is illustrated in FIG. 4. Provision may be made for the relative pivoting of the two parts 14a, 14b of the connecting member around the axis A3 is limited by a stop system (not shown). We can also provide that there is no limitation of this relative pivoting, the latter being in any case regulated by the inherent limits of the sole, namely the intrinsic rigidity of the sole and the fact that the spacing of the two bars 41, 42 is fixed.

The reference position is here determined by a bearing surface 56 linked to the base 12, therefore to the sports article 11, and on which the curved surface 19 of the connecting member 14 is supported. , this bearing surface 56 could cooperate with another portion of the connecting member 14, or with the link 16. In addition, the bearing surface 56 illustrated in the figures is fixed, but one could provide that its longitudinal position is adjustable by the user, in particular so that he can adapt the reference position to the length of his stride. Likewise, this stop 56 here forms an insurmountable obstacle. However, it can be provided that the reference position is determined by a "hard point" allowing the user to feel the passage through this reference position well, but that this hard point is passable, for example to allow the user to '' have an exceptionally longer stride. This reference position could also advantageously be used in the case of a fixing or the relative pivoting of the two front and rear parts of the connecting member would be blocked.

Claims

1. Device for fixing (10) a shoe (15) to a sports article (11), of the type comprising a connecting member (14) to the shoe which is capable of moving relative to the article of sport (11) between a low position and a high position, of the type in which the connecting member (14) is connected to a base (12) by at least one link (16) and is moreover in contact with this base (12) by means of a curved surface (19), the displacement of the connecting member (14) taking place in particular by rolling on the curved surface (19), characterized in that the connecting member ( 14) comprises at least two front (14a) and rear (14b) parts which are articulated with respect to each other about a transverse axis (A3), and in that each of the parts (14a, 14b) comprises at least one retaining system (44, 48) intended to cooperate with an anchoring member (41, 42) of the shoe (15).

2. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear retaining system (48) of the connecting member (14) is an automatic engagement system.

3. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an elastic return system (20, 30) of the connecting member (14) to its low position.

4. Fastening device according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic return system (20, 30) is connected to the rear part (14b) of the connecting member (14).

5. Fastening device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the elastic return system comprises at least one elastic member (20) which is linked to the sports article, and a flexible link (30 ) which connects the elastic member (20) to the connecting member (14) and which cooperates with at least one return member (34).

6. Fastening device according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible link (30) has, on either side of the reference (34), a part which is linked to the elastic member (20) and which s 'extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and a portion which is linked to the connecting member (14) and which extends in a mainly vertical direction.

7. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear retaining system (48) of the connecting member (14) cooperates with an anchoring member (42) which is arranged at the level or in front of a shoe zone (15) corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal flexion zone of the user's foot.

8. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved rolling surface (19) is arranged on the front part.

(14a) of the connecting member (14).

9. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a link (16) which is articulated on the one hand on i 0 the base (12) and on the other hand on the part front (14a) of the connecting member (14).

10. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for limiting the relative pivoting angle of two parts (14a, 14b) of the connecting member (14).

15

11. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (56) for limiting the movement of the connecting member (14) relative to the sports article (11) .

20 12. Fastening device according to claim 10, characterized in that the means (56) for limiting the displacement of the connecting member act on the front part (14a) of the connecting member (14).

13. Fastening device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the displacement limiting means comprise abutment surfaces (56, 19) linked to the device (10) and to the connecting member (14 ) and which cooperate with each other when the connecting member (14) reaches a predetermined reference position.

14. Fastening device according to claim 12, characterized in that the position of at least one of the abutment surfaces (56) is adjustable so as to be able to adjust the predetermined reference position.

15. Connecting device according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the abutment surface of the connecting member (14) is constituted by the curved surface (12).

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