EP0620711A1

EP0620711A1 - Cross country ski boot and ski, binding and boot assembly.

Info

Publication number: EP0620711A1
Application number: EP93924104A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gilles Marmonier; Dominique Locatelli; Bruno Dusser
Original assignee: Skis Rossignol SA; Rossignol SA
Current assignee: Skis Rossignol SA
Priority date: 1992-10-27
Filing date: 1993-10-25
Publication date: 1994-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-25
Also published as: DE69312682D1; WO1994009660A1; EP0620711B1; DE69312682T2; FR2697140B1; FR2697140A1

Abstract

Chaussure de ski de fond constituée d'une tige (1) solidaire d'une semelle (5) et dont la semelle présente un moyen de fixation et d'articulation sur la face supérieure du patin d'un ski situé au voisinage de l'extrémité avant de la semelle (5), caractérisée en ce que la face inférieure (6) de la semelle comporte également un second moyen de fixation (11) disposé au voisinage de l'articulation métatarsophalangienne, apte à coopérer avec un moyen complémentaire de fixation disposé sur la face supérieure du patin du ski.Cross-country ski boot consisting of an upper (1) integral with a sole (5) and the sole of which has a means of attachment and articulation on the upper face of the runner of a ski located in the vicinity of the front end of the sole (5), characterized in that the lower face (6) of the sole also comprises a second means of attachment (11) arranged in the vicinity of the metatarsophalangeal joint, capable of cooperating with a complementary means of attachment arranged on the upper face of the ski base.

Description

CROSS COUNTRY SKI SHOE AND PACKAGE: SKI. BINDING AND SHOE FOR SKIING. Technical area

The invention relates to an improvement to cross-country ski boots; it also relates to an assembly for skiing, comprising a ski, a binding and this characteristic shoe.

Prior Art

As is known, there are essentially two techniques for the practice of cross-country skiing, each linked to the advanced technique.

In the first traditional technique known as the "alternative step", each ski is launched alternately forward in two parallel rails provided for this purpose in the track. For the practice of this technique, most generally low shoes are used, the sole of which is flexible and, where appropriate, the upper secured to the sole has an external buttress. It is essential that the sole is flexible and is articulated under the tip of the boot on the upper face of the ski skate, to allow the maximum clearance of the boot relative to the ski to obtain maximum thrust and amplitude of stride. It is also important that the sole is flexible to accentuate this push.

In the second technique, more recent and more sporty, called the "skater" step, or more commonly called "skating", the skier evolves by making his skis diverge. This technique is essentially broken down into four successive phases, respectively a first phase during which the ski is in external support, followed by a flat gliding phase, followed in turn by a pulse phase on the internal face, and finally a so-called "flight" phase, during which the ski leaves the snow until the next movement is pressed. To practice this more efficient and faster technique, shoes are used whose sole, always articulated on the front, is stiffened by a shank. Furthermore, the upper, always attached to the sole, includes a semi-rigid collar hugging the bottom of the tibia articulated on a rigid buttress placed at the malleoli to allow a transfer of the impulses and the push towards the ski. Unfortunately, as the articulation of the rigid sole takes place as before at the front of the boot, this articulation allows a large clearance of the sole with respect to the ski, which sometimes disturbs the movements of the skier, especially during the ski flight phase.

In addition, in both cases, the articulation and the fixing of the front of the sole to the ski skate is carried out around an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sole, which coincides with the '' axis of balance of the ski, axis also sometimes called axis of rotation, arranged, according to the standards, under the tip either just in front of the toes, or just behind and below the toes to benefit more effectively from movements, impulses and to ensure better guidance of the ski.

In this way, to date, depending on the cross-country ski that one wishes to practice, it is preferable, depending on the case, to use either low shoes (not alternative), or semi-rigid high shoes ( no skater).

To limit the travel of the sole relative to the ski, as is desirable for the practice of skating, it has been suggested to move the articulation axis back. But this hinders the installation of the boot on the ski, an operation which is then carried out blind. In addition, depending on the nature of the terrain and the requirements of the course, if you want to be able to alternate between these two steps, the initial choice of shoes can unfortunately be a nuisance and in any case leads to a loss of efficiency.

In document FR-A-2 595 951, a cross-country ski boot has been described, the sole of which has at the rear, a latching and holding stud located in the junction zone of the phalanges and metatarsals of the foot of the skier (area of the metatarsophalangeal joint), and at the front, a horizontal finger sliding under the effect of a spring to come into abutment against the front end of the toe of the sole. This arrangement allows optimum thrust when the heel is lifted as high as possible above the ski, as is sought in skating. On the other hand, this provision does not authorize the practice of the alternative step, because the deflections are too limited.

Statement of the Invention

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It relates to a cross-country ski boot which is capable of being used for one or the other of these two techniques, while preserving the specific needs of each, namely the low travel of the sole with respect to skiing in the skater's technique, and on the contrary authorizing a large amplitude of this sole with respect to the ski for the practice of the alternative step, while authorizing an ideal center of thrust for the practice of the skater's step. This cross-country ski boot consists of a rod secured to a sole, and the sole of which has a means of attachment and articulation on the upper face of the skate of a ski located at the front end of the sole at in the vicinity of the toes, is characterized in that the underside of the sole also includes a second fastening means disposed in the vicinity of the metatarsophalangeal joint, able to cooperate with a complementary fastening means disposed on the upper face of the ski runner.

In other words, the invention is characterized by the fact that the lower external face of the sole of the boot comprises two fixing means on the upper face of the ski skate, the first disposed in a known manner in front of the sole at the toes, the second at the metatarsophalangeal joint. Thus, on a conventional ski for the practice of the alternative step, it suffices to engage the first most forward fixing means (toe level) on the corresponding part of the upper face of the ski skid and the presence of the second means fixation does not disturb the practice of this step. On the other hand, when one wishes to practice the skater's step, the second means arranged at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint, is engaged on a complementary means provided for this purpose on the upper face of the ski skate, but slightly behind the first traditional means of fixation. Thus, the characteristic shoe of the invention can be used with a special binding for the practice of skating which is essentially characterized by the presence of a metatarsophalangeal connection. As is known, the metatarsophalangeal joint is located at the junction of the metatarsals and the phalanges proper. Thus, by having a second attachment means at this metatarsophalangeal joint, the sole which is flexible, presents a limited possibility of movement relative to the ski by forming a small angle between this joint and the heel, while the surface between the first and second fixing means form a bearing surface which determines a thrust zone allowing a more effective impulse.

In other words, the invention makes it possible to practice either the skater's step or the skating step with a flexible sole and no longer necessarily rigid, as is currently the case for skating.

The shoe according to the invention differs from that described in document FR-A-2 595 951 cited in the preamble, by the fact that it uses two fastening means arranged respectively, the first at the toes, the second at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint which can be coupled or not, and no longer with a single attachment formed by a rear stud disposed at the metatarsophalangeal level associated with a front stop. It is therefore a different architecture fulfilling different functions, for different results (either no skater or skating for the invention and no longer only skating for this document).

The invention also relates to an assembly for skiing, using this boot, assembly comprising a ski and a binding, integrated or not integrated into the ski, binding of the type comprising:

. a member capable of cooperating and retaining the first means of fixing the boot, sliding in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper face of the ski, . control means, disposed at the front of the attachment, intended to slide said member until it engages in the first attachment means.

This attachment is characterized in that it comprises a second member capable of cooperating and of retaining the second attachment means disposed in the vicinity of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

In practice, the two members cooperating with the two characteristic means for fixing the sole of the shoe, are formed by hooks open towards the front, these two hooks being actuated by the lever for controlling the binding, the first hook during of the practice of the alternative step, the two hooks engaged together during the practice of the skater's step.

If more generally, these two hooks are both open towards the front, or even both towards the rear, they can also be opposite, namely one open towards the front, the other towards the rear or vice versa.

Advantageously, the control lever has a cursor that can be actuated with the skier's stick, intended to engage the second hook while the first is already engaged.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows. Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a summary perspective view seen three quarters below a ski boot according to the invention. Figures 2 to 5 show other embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an assembly for the practice of skiing according to the invention.

Figures 7 and 8 are schematic sectional representations of a conventional binding marketed by the Applicant, for the practice of cross-country skiing according to the alternative pitch, respectively in the open position (Figure 7) and in the locked position (Figure 8).

Figures 9 to 11 show, in the same section, the binding according to the invention, shown respectively in position:. footwear (all hooks open) figure 9

. alternative step (figure 10)

. not of the skater (figure 11).

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the front part of a binding according to the invention.

Best Ways to Carry Out the Invention

The ski boot shown in FIG. 1 essentially comprises a rod (1), open on the front so as to be able to introduce the foot into the opening (2). In known manner, a flap (3) covers the laces and the other closure means. The upper (1) is integral with a sole (5) whose lower external face (6) has one or two guide slot (s) (7) disposed in the longitudinal axis of the shoe from the toe (8) to the heel (9). In known manner, the tip (8) of the sole comprises at the toes a transverse axis (10) for fixing and articulation, intended to cooperate with an additional fixing means fixed on the upper face of the ski skate.

According to the essential characteristic of the invention, this shoe comprises in the same transverse slot (7), a second fastening means constituted by a transverse axis (11) parallel to the first axis (10), disposed at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint. . This second axis (11) is intended to cooperate with additional complementary means disposed on the upper face of the ski runner, slightly behind the first fixing means which cooperates with the transverse axis (10).

When the skier wishes to practice the alternative step, it suffices to engage the first transverse axis (10) located furthest forward, generally just in front of or at the level of the toes, in the complementary fixing means provided for this purpose on the top. of the ski skate. On the other hand, when he wishes to practice the skating step, it suffices that the appropriate ski has on its upper face a second fixing means, arranged in an appropriate manner, to be able to cooperate with the transverse axis (11). Thus, the two parallel axes (10, 11) engaged in the complementary fixing means arranged on the upper face of the ski, define a support zone which makes it possible, during impulses, to obtain an optimal thrust.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first axis disposed furthest forward has a curved shape (15), directed forward to facilitate the release during falls, so that the assembly behaves well as a safety binding. In another embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first fixing means is in the form of a hook (20), while the second means (21) parallel to (20), is also in the shape of a hook, the front face (22) of which forms a ramp, like bicycle shoes, to allow quick release in the event of a fall.

In practice, the second attachment means (11,21) is arranged at the metatarsophalangeal joint.

In another embodiment, the first fixing means disposed furthest forward is formed by a hook as described in the Applicant's patent FR-A-86J0119 and cooperates with an axis provided for this purpose on the top of the ski at the level of the skate.

The invention also relates to an assembly for skiing using this boot, assembly comprising a ski designated by the general reference (30) comprising a tip (31), a central skid zone (32) and a heel (33) . In known manner, the top of the shoe zone (32) comprises a binding designated by the reference (35) on which the shoe engages and locks (see FIG. 6).

Figures 7 and 8 show a conventional binding for the practice of cross-country skiing, as currently marketed by the Applicant. This fixing, designated by the general reference (35), fixed on the top of the pad area (32), comprises a horizontal plate (40) fixed on the pad, terminated by a hook (41) directed upwards and open towards the back. This horizontal base plate (40) is for example made of metal and is fixed on top of the pad area (32) by screws or the like, not shown. This base (40) has two lateral vertical edges (42) disposed on each side of the ski, on which engages the horizontal portion (43) of a closed ring (44), of which the other horizontal portion (45) is associated with a lever-shaped control means (46). Under this fixed base (40), and on the top of the ski (32), slides a horizontal plate (50), the front end (51) of which is engaged at the low end (52) of the lever (46) thanks to an axis (66). This sliding plate (50), forming a tie, has at its rear end a hook (53) directed upwards and open at the front to cooperate with the fixed hook (41). In the open position (see Figure 7), the two hooks (41,53) provide between them a gap in which can engage the front transverse axis (10) disposed at the toes. Once this axis (10) engaged, it suffices, as shown in FIG. 8, to tilt the lever (46) backwards and downwards, to bring the hook (53) closer to the hook (41), and thus imprisoning the first fixing means (10). In this known and classic position, the skier can easily practice the so-called "alternative" step.

By tilting the lever (46) down as indicated by the arrow, the sliding end (53) open towards the front is brought closer to the fixed end (41) open towards the rear, to trap the axis transverse (10) disposed at the level of the toes. Once trapped, the axis (10) can perfectly rotate in this space, while allowing the heel to be released. In this position, the skier can, as in the known conventional system, practice the alternative step.

According to the invention (see FIGS. 9 to 11), this known ski binding also comprises a third sliding plate (60), the vertical front end (61) of which is engaged in a slider (62) having on the top a press button (63). The rear end (64) of this sliding plate in a horizontal plane (60) follows the shape a hook (65) open upwards and directed towards the front. In a variant, this hook (65) has an elastic stroke limited upwards to favor a movement of the foot during the climbs. The cursor (62) is connected to the lever (46) by means of a light (65) in which the horizontal axis (66) of articulation of the plate (50) slides on the lever (46).

When practicing the alternative step (see Figure 9), the two hooks (41) and (53), as in Figure 8, are in abutment to trap the first transverse axis (10) disposed at the toes. On the other hand, the second transverse axis (11) disposed at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joints is free, that is to say can freely pass in front of the front end of the hook (65) which remains in the rear recoil position far away from this axis (11).

In practice, the distance between the two transverse axes (10,11) is of the order of thirty to thirty five millimeters (see Figure 10).

When the skier wishes to practice skating or skating (see Figure 11), he presses, for example using the end of his stick, on the cursor (62) and more precisely on the push button (63 ), to bring it in the direction indicated by the arrow by sliding forward. As already said, the reference (65) designates a horizontal light in which slides the axis (66) connecting the cursor (62) to the lever (46). In this forward movement, the cursor drives the end (61) of the sliding plate (60), and thereby brings the hook (65) above the second axis (11) which is thus trapped and immobilized . In this way, with the same binding and the same shoe, it is possible to practice either the alternative step (Figures 9 and 10) or the skater step (Figure 11), and this by simply actuating a member simple, namely the cursor (62) easy to engage in the course of skiing, for example as already said by means of the tip of the stick.

When a skier wants to take off his shoes, he just has to pull up the lever

(46) upwards as seen in FIG. 9, which drives the cursor (62) and thereby the hook (65) backwards, as does the hook (53). Thus, the two characteristic transverse axes (10) and (11) are released simultaneously.

The cross-country ski boots according to the invention are characterized by excellent versatility, since one can practice either the alternating step or the skating step, and in addition, allow an ideal thrust zone to be obtained when the we practice the skater step.

Claims

1 / Cross-country ski boot consisting of a rod (1) integral with a sole (5) and the sole of which has a means of attachment and articulation on the upper face of the skate of a ski located in the vicinity of the front end of the sole (5), characterized in that the lower face (6) of the sole (5) also comprises a second fixing means (11) disposed in the vicinity of the metatarsophalangeal joint, able to cooperate with an additional fixing means arranged on the upper face of the ski skid.

2 / Cross-country ski boot according to claim 1, in which the first attachment means is constituted by a transverse axis, characterized in that the second attachment means is constituted by an axis (11) parallel to the first (10) and placed slightly in front of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

3 / Cross-country ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the first fastening means is a curved pin (15) and the second means (11,21) cooperates with the first to ensure the safety release of the boot .

4 / Cross-country ski boot according to claim 3, characterized in that the second fastening means (21) has the shape of a hook (21) having a ramp (22) to allow the safety release of the boot. 5 / assembly for the practice of skiing by means of a boot according to one of claims 1 to 4, assembly comprising a ski and a binding, said binding comprising:

. a member (50) capable of cooperating and of retaining the first fixing means (10) of the sole (5) of the boot, sliding in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper face of the ski (30),. control means (46), disposed at the front of the fixing (35), intended to slide said member (50) until it engages in the first fixing means (10), characterized in that this attachment (35) comprises a second member (65) able to cooperate and retain the second attachment means (11) of the sole (5) of the shoe arranged in the vicinity of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

6 / assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the two fixing members cooperating with the two fixing means (10,11) of the sole (5) of the shoe, are formed by hooks (53,65) open forward, these two hooks (53,65) being actuated by the control member (46) of the fastener (35), the first hook (53) during the practice of the alternate pitch, the two hooks together ( 53.65) when practicing the skater's step.

7 / assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the second hook (65), intended to cooperate with the second fixing means (11) of the sole (5) of the shoe has a limited upward stroke. 8 / assembly according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the binding of the ski has a second member (62) adapted to actuate the second hook (65) to engage it in the second fixing means (11) .

9 / assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the second member is a slider (62) capable of sliding towards the front of the binding by driving the second hook (65).