FR2732230A1 - Semi-automatic fastener holding boot on snow board - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot (4) is held in a shell (14) whose base (2) is fixed to the board. A tongue (3) is articulated on the base (7a,7b) and fits round the back of the boot. At the front of the base there are two cams with notches (5a,5b), symmetrical to the longitudinal axis (XX') of the base. The front end of the boot has a stud (11a,11b) on each side which clip into the notches. A stop (10) at the back of the boot engages under an adjustable stop (8) on the base of the tongue. The boot is released by pressing on press studs (15a,15b).

Description

SEMI-AUTOMATIC LINK DEVICE
BETWEEN SHOE AND SNOWBOARD
AND ESPECIALLY SNOW SURF
The present invention relates to a shoe assembly and
semi-automatic attachment for gliding board and in particular snowboard
snow.

There are currently two main types of link between
board and shoe
- on the one hand, the "plate" type connections which connect a
rigid boot (close to those used in downhill skiing or
hiking) to the board via a base on which said
shoe is held by a hoop and locked by a lever. This guy
of connection is used to obtain a maximum rigidity between the foot (the ankle) and the board of gliding.

- on the other hand, the "shell" type connections which connect a
flexible or semi-rigid shoe to the board via a
device, consisting of a base and a rear tab, in
which said shoe is held by straps located at the level of the
toes (toe), ankle (kick) and sometimes shin.

This type of connection is used to obtain flexibility
maximum between the foot (ankle) and the gliding board, but offers three
major disadvantages which are
- make the boot long and tedious, since it forces you to bend down and attach two or three straps.

- to be uncomfortable, the more or less energetic tightening of the
straps and the friction of said straps on the shoe risking the
long to hurt.

- not to permanently maintain the shoe, the straps can come off under the effect of a shock or too much effort
violent.

 The present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks and proposes a simple and reliable device allowing the user to put on shoes quickly and safely and to practice comfortable his favorite sport.

 The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a base allowing attachment to the gliding board, said base receiving at the rear the support tongue articulated at two points and at the front two locking devices / unlocking located substantially symmetrically with respect to the axis of the foot.

 According to another additional characteristic, the device comprises a shoe characterized in that it comprises at the rear a stop and at the front two studs arranged along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foot and located in a manner substantially symmetrical to the level of the toe.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with regard to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

 Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of the device of the invention.

 Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of the device of the invention.

 Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the shoe held in the shell.

 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views showing an exemplary embodiment of the locking / unlocking system and its operation.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a detail of execution of the
shoe sole.

 Figures 8 and 9 are illustrations of alternative embodiments.

 The device of the invention bearing in the figures the general reference (1). is composed of a shell (14) and a shoe (4) which is received in said shell.

The shoe (4) is characterized in that it has 2 studs (IIa) and (II). located at the end of the foot substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis XX 'and substantially parallel to an axis
ZZ ', and a rear stop (10) located at the heel. The studs (11a) and (1b) can be of substantially cylindrical shape and will, according to a preferred arrangement. a slight bulge or shoulder at their end.

illustrated in Figure 8. playing the role of lateral stop along an axis ZZ 'when said pads are inserted in the locking / unlocking devices (Sa) and (5b). According to a preferred arrangement illustrated in Figure 7, the sole (9) of the shoe (4) will be chamfered at its rear end to facilitate the fitting into the shell (14). According to another additional characteristic7 the closure of the boot will be completed by a strap (12), for example arranged diagonally as illustrated in FIG. 7, at the level of the kick in order to prevent the heel of the user from takes off.

The shell (14) consists of a base (2) allowing attachment to the gliding board (6). said base, according to a preferred arrangement, forming a circular arch at the quarry making it possible to limit rotation on the rear of the tongue (3) articulated around the axes (7a) and (7b) and receiving the stop (8 ). which can be adjustable along an axis
YY ', allowing the adjustment of the vertical clearance between the stop (10) of the shoe (4) and the base (2). In an embodiment given by way of example, the tongue (3) can pivot on the front around the axes (7a) and (7b) to facilitate storage and can optionally be disassembled to be replaced. not within the scope of the invention if said tongue was completely linked to the base (2) or if said base and
said tongue formed only one and the same piece, the stop (8) then being positioned on said tongue.

 It goes without saying that it is possible to have other forms of base other than those represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. such as, for example, that represented in FIG. 9. According to the illustrated variant, the shell (14) is produced with a base (2) hollowed out in its central part, solution allowing the user to better feel the reactions of his gliding board, the fixing of said shell on the gliding board (6) then being done using soles arranged for example on the sides of said base.

The base (2) receives at the front, on either side of an axis XX ', the 2 locking / unlocking devices (Sa) and (5b) located in such a way that the shoe (4) being in abutment against the tongue (3) and the stop (10) below the stop (8), the studs (1 la) and (they) of said
shoe come in correspondence with the housings of the devices (Sa) and (5b) intended to receive them.

 The 2 locking / unlocking devices (5a) and (5b) consist of a notched cam pivoting about an axis and locked by a ratchet as illustrated in Figures 4. S and 6. These mechanisms are of similar design locks used for closing and locking automobile doors. It therefore goes without saying that it is possible to envisage other operating kinematics than that illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 given solely by way of example.

 Figure 4 shows a mechanism in the unlocked position.

When the user exerts a slight pressure on the end of the foot, the stud (11) drives the cam (17) in rotation until the pawl (19), under the action of the spring (21), comes lodge in the first notch (22) as shown in FIG. 5, thus ensuring a 1 "locking. An additional action on the stud (11) makes the cam (17) pivot, said stud then being in abutment against the stop (20 ), the pawl (19) then being received in the second notch (23) as illustrated in FIG. 6, thus ensuring a 2 "locking. Any movement of the stud (11) upwards is then impossible, the pawl (19). under the action of the spring (21). preventing any rotation of the cam (17). When the user wants to take off his shoes, he just has to press on the pusher (15), thus releasing the pawl (19) from its notch, the cam (17) pivoting under the action of the spring (16) and releasing the stud (11).

The release button (15) can be replaced by a lever which requires less effort on the part of the user. Note that in an embodiment given by way of example, the device (5) is provided with a double locking mechanism and a safety catch not shown in FIGS. 4,5 and 6.

In order to allow the shell (14) to be adapted to different shoe sizes. the devices (5a) and (5b) may, by means of oblong lights made along an axis XX 'in the base and along an axis YY' in the body (18) of the devices (Sa) and (5b), be adjusted independently along the XX 'axis and / or along the axis
YY '. But it goes without saying that in the case of mass production, it is necessary to provide several shell sizes, each shell being able to adapt for example to 2 or 3 shoe sizes.

 To put on. the user, after having checked that the sole (9) of his shoe (4) was free of snow or ice, presses the heel against the tongue (3). the stop (10) of said shoe being received under the stop (8) of the base (2), and locks the front of the foot by bringing the studs (1 la) and (1 lb) into the devices (5a ) and (Sb) can be locked with a single press of the foot.

 To take off your shoes. The user presses on the unlocking pushers (15a) and (lob), thus releasing the 2 studs (lia) and (lob) of the devices (Sa) and (5b) for locking the front of the shoe rising under the action of the thrust of the springs (16a) and (16b) of the devices (Sa) and (5b), and withdraws the boot (4) from the shell (14) by advancing it along an axis XX '.

 The device of the invention, bearing in the figures the general reference (1) comprises a base (2) made of a material combining both good mechanical characteristics and a low density. The base (2) can for example be made of injected plastic or aluminum alloy. The tongue (3) can be made of plastic or a composite material such as fiberglass or carbon impregnated with resin. The devices (Sa) and (5b) and the pads (lia) and (1 lb) can be made of a material resistant to wear and impact, such as for example steel or a titanium alloy, and will receive specific treatment against oxidation.

 The studs (1 la) and (lob) will have a sufficient diameter to withstand the forces that any user can deploy. The stop (8) of the base (2) can be made of aluminum alloy. The stop (10) of the shoe may, depending on the manufacturing method, either be made of aluminum alloy and in this case attached to said shoe, or be molded with the sole of said shoe. The shoe can be made from the materials traditionally used in this type of material, such as leather and / or polyamide canvas for the upper and plastic or other materials such as Vibram (registered trademark) for the sole. Depending on the type of embodiment, the studs (1 la) and (1 lb) can be incorporated into the sole (9) in the form of inserts or can be screwed into said sole.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples. but it also includes all technical equivalents and their combinations.

Claims (7)

 1. Semi-automatic connection device characterized in that it is composed of a shell (14) and a shoe (4) which is housed in said shell and that it is intended for the practice of snowboarding .  2. Semi-automatic connection device according to claim 1 characterized in that the shell (14) comprises a base (2) on which a tongue (3) is articulated, said base receiving at the front 2 devices (Sa) and (5b) for locking / unlocking, located substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis XX ', and at the rear a stop (8) which can be adjustable along an axis YY'.  3. semi-automatic connecting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shoe (4) has 2 studs (lia) and (lib), located at the end of the foot in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to an axis XX 'and substantially parallel to an axis ZZ ', and a rear stop (10) located at the heel.  4. semi-automatic connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boot (4) is fitted into the shell (14) is automatic and is carried out by bringing the stop (10) under the stop (8), the studs (1 la) and (1 lb) coming to lock in the devices (5a) and (5b) by a simple pressure of the end of the foot.  S. Semi-automatic connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boot (4) of the hull (14) is released by pressing the 2 unlocking pushers (15a) and ( 15b) and by moving the shoe along an axis XX '.  6. semi-automatic connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (3) and the base (2) form only one and the same part, the stop (8) then being positioned on said tongue.  7. Semi-automatic connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) is hollowed out in its central part, the fixing of said base on the gliding board (6) being carried out by the 'Intermediate soles arranged for example on the sides of said base.  8. Semi-automatic connection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 2 locking / unlocking devices (Sa) and (Sb) are adjustable in position along the axes XX 'and YY' to allow their adjustment. depending on the size of the boot (4).