EP1159990A1 - Interface for a snowboard - Google Patents

Abstract

• des moyens (14) permettant le coulissement de la plateforme (1) par rapport au coulisseau (2, 3) ;
• des moyens (18, 32, 33) autorisant la solidarisation de la plateforme (1) par rapport au coulisseau (2, 3) ;

de sorte que la zone de la plateforme (1) coopérant avec le coulisseau (2, 3) peut être rendue alternativement mobile ou fixe par rapport à la face supérieure de la planche .

Heightening device intended to be mounted on the upper face of a gliding board, comprising a platform capable of receiving the elements of a binding, characterized in that it comprises at least one piece forming a slide (2, 3) capable to be secured to the board, and comprising:

• means (14) allowing the platform (1) to slide relative to the slide (2, 3);
• means (18, 32, 33) authorizing the attachment of the platform (1) relative to the slide (2, 3);

so that the area of the platform (1) cooperating with the slide (2, 3) can be made alternately mobile or fixed relative to the upper face of the board.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports. She aims more specifically a raising device intended to be mounted on a board such as an alpine ski or the like. It allows, thanks to a unique device, to give several types of behavior to the board by playing on its stiffness.

Previous techniques

It is known to equip boards for gliding on snow, and more particularly Alpine skis with raising devices intended to receive the binding. More specifically, such devices generally include a plate or platform which is mounted on the upper face of the ski. This platform receives then by screwing the elements of the binding that are the stop and the heel piece.

Different solutions for mounting the platform on the board slips have already been considered. Thus, in document FR 2 128 919, it has been proposed to equip the upper face of a gliding board with a slide. This slide secured to the upper face of the ski receives by sliding the platform itself, which is profiled so that its lateral ends cooperate with the lateral edges of the slide. In this way, it is possible to interchange different platforms with mounted fasteners at different distances without having to make additional holes in the board. This device has the major drawback of having a stiffness important which is added to that of skiing, and therefore comes to restrain the latter.

A variant of this device has been described in document US 4,022,491. monoski described in this document includes a slide secured to the face superior of skiing. This slide includes two rails inside which can slide half-platforms supporting the fixing elements. It is so possible to adjust the longitudinal position of the two fixing elements, and therefore to optimally position the midpoint of the shoe according to the user wishes. The rigidity of the half-platforms supporting the attachment is added to that of the board itself, and therefore causes the clamping of which the disadvantages have been cited.

In document US Pat. No. 5,785,342, another type of raising device. This device includes a platform receiving the fixing, which is mounted on an element of viscoelastic material interposed between the platform and the upper face of the ski. To allow relative movement of the platform in relation to the ski, the anchoring screws of the platform pass through elongated openings, which allow movement of the platform by compared to these anchor points of the board. There is thus a slight unlocking of the platform in relation to the board.

Other platform variants have been proposed such as in particular those described in document WO 83/03360, in which only one of the ends of the platform is secured to the board, the other end then having a sliding capacity.

Some of the existing platforms are therefore intended to provide unclamping the binding with respect to the ski. Others of these platforms provide the otherwise a stiffening of the board by adding the stiffness of the platform. These different types of platform have mechanical properties which are very different. The means for attaching these platforms to the board are also very varied.

The user, depending on whether he therefore wishes a more or less restrained ski, must today choose the appropriate platform and replace it when it wishes to do change the behavior of your board. This possibility is relatively hypothetical since platforms of a different nature are rarely secured to the board by identical anchoring means.

A first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of ability to change the degree of clamping of the ski with the same platform. In in addition, to achieve different behaviors, the hardware manufacturers are obliged to have an extended range whose management has certain drawbacks. A second problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of the adaptability of the same enhancement platform to different practices of clamping.

Statement of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a raising device intended to be mounted on the upper face of a gliding board, comprising a platform capable of receive elements of a fixation.

• des moyens permettant le coulissement de la plateforme par rapport au coulisseau ;
• des moyens autorisant la solidarisation de la plateforme par rapport au coulisseau ;

de sorte que la zone de la plateforme coopérant avec le coulisseau peut être rendue alternativement mobile ou fixe par rapport à la face supérieure de la planche .According to the invention, this device is characterized in that it comprises at least one piece forming a slide capable of being secured to the board, and comprising:

• means allowing the platform to slide relative to the slide;
• means authorizing the attachment of the platform relative to the slide;

so that the area of the platform cooperating with the slide can be made alternately mobile or fixed relative to the upper face of the board.

In other words, the platform is connected to the upper face of the board by a part from which it can either slide or be firmly maintained. In this way, this area of the platform is allowed to be either fixed by compared to the board, or slightly sliding. So when the platform stays sliding relative to the slider, it promotes the unclamping of the platform by compared to skiing while maintaining a longitudinal guide of the plate relative to the board. Conversely, when the platform is firmly secured to the slide, we create an anchor point for the platform in relation to the board, which increases the clamping phenomenon.

Thus, when the user wishes to use his skis according to a more practical aggressive, it has the possibility of securing the platform to the slide corresponding to increase the stiffness of his ski. Conversely, when the platform is detached from the corresponding slide, a degree of freedom additional is assigned to the platform, which can then move slightly relative to the upper face of the ski when the board flexes.

The slides can advantageously be independent pieces reported on the board. They can also be integrated into the structure of the board during its manufacture.

The number of characteristic slides can be variable depending on the desired practice. Thus, the device may have only one slide located near one end of the board. In this case, the platform can be permanently secured to the board by the other end, or even by its median level.

In another embodiment, the device can comprise two slides, each located near the end of the platform. In that case, it is possible to block the movement of the platform in relation to each of these sliders, namely either with respect to the front slider, or with respect to the rear slide, or even in relation to the two slides. We obtain so three different behaviors of the board, each one being more specifically suited to a type of practice.

In the case where the device has a hooking zone in the face upper part of the board, this attachment zone can be very different. Thus, one can provide an additional piece capable of being secured to the upper face of the board, and on which the platform is secured.

According to another solution, the attachment zone can be constituted by a protuberance of the platform, capable of being secured to the upper face of the board.

In another variant, the attachment zone can come into contact with a boss present on the upper face of the board and constituting an additional thickness.

Advantageously in practice, the device according to the invention can include a spacer element interposed between the upper face of the board and the platform, to limit the bending of the latter. In other words, we put in places an element that fills part of the volume located between the underside of the platform and the top of the board to prevent the platform from deforming when the board undergoes bending.

In a particular embodiment, the slide may include a protruding area sliding inside a complementary shaped groove formed on the underside of the platform.

Of course, the invention also covers the reverse geometry in which the platform includes a prominent area which slides in a groove complementary to the slide.

In a particular embodiment, the prominent area can be articulated with respect to the rest of the slide around an axis perpendicular to the plane median longitudinal of the platform, so as to facilitate sliding during bending forces.

In other words, the slide can have a deformation capacity which allows it to absorb the strong deformations of the board, to prevent the part of the slide sliding in the platform does not get stuck and causes therefore an unexpected clamping.

Advantageously in practice, the groove may have at least one zone of wider opening allowing the introduction of the protruding zone of the slide in the groove when placing the platform on the slide. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to install the plate easily when the slides are already mounted on the board.

In a particular embodiment, the device may include a viscoelastic element interposed between the slide and the platform, so as to ensure a certain comfort and a damping of part of the vibrations transmitting from the board to the platform.

In a particular form, the device may also include stops able to limit the sliding of the platform relative to the slide. This provision is particularly advantageous in the case where the platform is not connected to the board only by a single slide.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon le plan II-II' de la figure 1.

La figure 3 est une vue de dessous en perspective sommaire du dispositif de la figure 1.

La figure 4 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 1.

La figure 5 est une vue de dessus en perspective sommaire du dispositif de la figure 1, dans lequel tous les éléments sont dissociés et montrés avant montage, et dans une configuration dans laquelle les extrémités avant et arrière de la plateforme peuvent coulisser.

La figure 6 correspond à la figure 5 dans laquelle sont prévus des moyens de solidarisation des coulisseaux avant et arrière par rapport à la plateforme.

La figure 7 est une vue en coupe du dispositif conforme à l'invention, au niveau du coulisseau, et selon une variante de réalisation.

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow, supported by the appended figures in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of a device according to the invention.

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

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

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

Figure 5 is a top view in summary perspective of the device of Figure 1, in which all the elements are dissociated and shown before mounting, and in a configuration in which the front and rear ends of the platform can slide.

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

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

Way of realizing the invention

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

Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the device comprises essentially a platform (1), on which the elements of the fixing (not shown), and two slides (2, 3) intended to be secured to the gliding board. The slides (2, 3) include three openings (10, 11, 12) allowing the passage of hooking screws on the gliding board. The slide front (3) is advantageously profiled so as not to extend laterally from the platform (1).

As illustrated in Figure 2, the slider (2) essentially consists a stud (13) whose lower face (17) comes into contact with the upper face of the gliding board, and a protrusion zone (14) present on part of the upper face of the stud (13). This protruding area (14) includes an area of connection (15) with the stud (13) and a zone of greater width (16) in the form of Mountain peak. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the protruding area (14) is located respectively at the front of the rear slide, and at the rear of the slide front so as to free up on the upper face of the stud (13) a space allowing the passage of the hooking screw in the board.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the slide (2) cooperates with the platform (1) to allow the latter either to slide longitudinally, or to be kept fixed and movable relative to the board.

The platform (1) illustrated in Figure 2 has a metallic structure tubular comprising a plurality of cavities (20, 21) as well as ribs (22, 23) stiffening. Of course, the invention is not limited to this alone platform geometry, but covers many other structures.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) comprises a longitudinal groove (25), at least in the area of cooperation with the slide (2, 3). This groove receives the protruding part (14) of the slide (2, 3). The opening (26) of this groove (25) is tightened to keep the area in protuberance (15) trapped in the throat (25). In this way, any movement towards the top of the platform (1) is impossible. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the throat opening (25) is widened in an area adjacent to that in which is the slide (2, 3). The throat opening (27) in this area is slightly greater than the width of the flared zone (16) of the zone in protuberance (14). Thus, it is in this zone (27) of greater width of the groove (25) that the slide (2,3) is introduced and then translated into its working area.

More specifically, when the slides (2, 3) are mounted on a board, the platform (1) is placed on the slides presenting the zone (27) of the throat (25) widest with regard to the slides (2, 3).

Subsequently, the platform (1) is slightly translated so that the area in projection (14) of the slides is trapped by the region of the groove (25) corresponding.

Furthermore, the raising device comprises at the central level two parts (4, 5) forming a spacer. These parts (4, 5) are studs secured to the face upper of the gliding board by hooking screws (29) passing through the three holes (28). These studs (4, 5) are of generally parallelepiped shape, and receive on their upper face, the contact of the lower face of the platform (1). As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the platform is secured to these parts (4, 5) by means of hooking screws (30) passing through openings (31) provided for this purpose on the platform (1). In this way, the platform (1) is firmly attached to the gliding board at its median level.

These spacer elements (4, 5) are interposed between the platform (1) and the face upper of the gliding board, so as to avoid excessive bending of the board if it rested only on the two slides (2, 3). We design that the studs (4, 5) can be replaced by a protuberance from the platform directed downward, which would come into contact with the upper face of the board. These outgrowths may consist of ribs extending to contact of the upper face of the board.

In another variant not illustrated, the studs (4, 5) can be replaced by a boss present on the upper face of the board, and whose thickness would be such that it comes into contact with the underside of the platform. Of mixed solutions including a thinner boss on the board and a protruding area under the platform can be considered.

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

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

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

According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform (1) can either be left sliding with respect to the sliders (2, 3), or being secured to the latter, as illustrated in figure 6. In this case, hooking screws (32, 34) pass through the platform (1) through the openings (33, 35) and are screwed into housings (18) present in the slide (2, 3). In this way, the ends of the platform (1) are kept fixed relative to the slides (2, 3) and therefore to the board. In this case, the stiffness of the platform (1) between the slide and the central anchor point (1) (4, 5) combines with that of the board. We obtain therefore a clamping of the ski which can prove to be interesting to increase the stiffness of this last, especially for sporting and aggressive practices.

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

It should be noted that the transition from a configuration in which the ends of the platform are sliding (Figure 5) to the configuration in which the ends of the platform are fixed (figure 6), obtained by simply screwing the four screws (32, 34), and without any other modification of the enhancement. It is therefore a particularly simple operation which allows so the user can adapt the behavior of the board to their wishes, so very fast. From the manufacturer's point of view, the design of the raising allows with a unique device to ensure a clamping function or jailbreak.

Of course, the user can modulate the position and the number of attachment points. Thus, it can either secure the front end or the end rear, either still the ends, or neither of them.

Each of these possibilities corresponds to a particular behavior.
When the two ends are linked to the board, the latter is strongly clamped.

Conversely, when the two ends are sliding, the board is totally unbridled. When only one of the ends is fixed relative to the board, clamping is partial.

The invention also covers variants not shown in which one end is permanently fixed on the board by via a stud similar to the studs (4, 5) of Figure 1, or solutions equivalent.

• la possibilité de régler le degré de bridage d'une planche ;
• l'adaptabilité d'un même dispositif de rehaussement à un grand nombre de planches requérant ou non un bridage ;

It follows from the above that the enhancement device according to the invention has multiple advantages, and in particular:

• the possibility of adjusting the degree of clamping of a board;
• the adaptability of the same raising device to a large number of boards which may or may not require clamping;

Claims (13)

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

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