EP1254685A1 - Snowboardbinding - Google Patents

Abstract

Surfboard binding comprising a base (1) carrying a hoop (4), a rear support piece (24) movable on the base, a foot strap (13), possibly a instep strap (5), and kinematic connection means between the foot strap and the rear support piece. The kinematic connection means consist of connection pieces (14, 15, 25, 26) connecting the support piece (24) and the foot strap (13) and passing on each side of the central area of the base . This fixing can be adjusted quickly, symmetrically or not, without the need to remove and replace screws. <IMAGE>

Description

• un arceau s'étendant obliquement vers l'arrière,
• une pièce d'appui arrière s'élevant à l'intérieur de l'arceau et déplaçable sur l'embase parallèlement aux côtés latéraux de l'embase,
• une courroie de pied destinée à passer sur la chaussure dans la région du pied et déplaçable sur l'embase parallèlement aux côtés latéraux de l'embase,
• et des moyens de liaison cinématique entre la courroie de pied et la pièce d'appui arrière.

The invention relates to a snowboard binding comprising a base having two lateral sides at least approximately parallel and bearing:

• an arch extending obliquely towards the rear,
• a rear support piece rising inside the roll bar and movable on the base parallel to the lateral sides of the base,
• a foot strap intended to pass over the shoe in the region of the foot and movable on the base parallel to the lateral sides of the base,
• and kinematic connection means between the foot strap and the rear support piece.

The term belt must be understood here in its meaning the most general. It includes in particular the bands in plastic in one or two parts and their adjustable means of attachment or attachment.

This type of fixation is generally called fixation à belts or bands as opposed to fasteners self-fitting type in which the sole of the shoe must have a rigid part cooperating with a fixing mechanism.

The binding concerned can be fitted with two belts, a first belt intended to pass over the shoe in the instep area and a second strap intended to pass over the part forefoot or single strap, wider, spanning the foot and the instep.

Belt attachments are generally designed to so that they can be adjusted to the size of the user's shoe. The simplest solution consists in fixing the rear support piece, respectively the rear hoop carrying the part support and foot strap on two walls parallel vertical of the base fitted with a row holes in which the rear support piece, respectively the front hoop and foot strap can be selectively positioned and fixed in the holes using screws and nuts. Such a construction is described in the documents WO 96/36406 and WO 97/28858. In the case of an arch fixed on the base, it was proposed in the document WO 93/14835, to replace the positioning holes of the rear support piece by a light whose periphery is notched, a fixing member coming fix in the notched part.

In document WO 00/33922, a fixing is described with belts in which the rear support piece is attached in a similar manner to that described in the document WO 93/14835, the fixing member comprising a serrated insert that can be tightened and released by means of a cam lever for quickly adjusting the position of the rear support piece. The belt foot is however not adjustable, so that when of an adjustment, the position of the shoe on the surfing varies, which is in principle undesirable, the surfing behavior being affected.

The fixing of the rear support piece and the foot strap on the base by means of screws requires the minus four screws and often six screws as is the case of fixing according to WO 97/28858. For rental companies surfing, often called upon to adjust the bindings, this therefore represents the obligation to screw and unscrew at least four nuts or screws with the risk of lose nuts and screws, not counting the time spent this operation to obtain a symmetrical adjustment does not not modifying the position of the shoe relatively to surf.

To overcome this drawback, a fixing of symmetrically adjustable axial screw surf with two Opposite threads for moving linked nuts respectively to a rear support piece and to one or two front support pieces were proposed in the document FR 2 754 462. This construction occupies a relatively large height above the base since the screw and the nuts, located above of the base, must themselves be covered with a cover plate.

The fastening described in document FR 2 732 611 also describes a length surfboard binding adjustable by means of an axial screw, the position of the rear fixing element being however fixed, so that the setting is not symmetrical.

The object of the present invention is to provide a quick-setting surfboard binding leaves the central area of the base and not using a screw worm type.

The surf binding according to the invention is characterized in that the kinematic connection means between the foot strap and rear support piece are made up of connecting parts connecting the part back support and foot strap and passing from each side of the central area of the base, i.e. leaving free this central area which presents usually a circular cutout for orientation from the base on the surf.

According to a first embodiment, the pieces of link consist of arms connected respectively at the ends of the foot strap and directly or indirectly alongside the rear support piece, these arms coming to overlap two by two, means being intended to immobilize the arms in a superimposed position chosen and in that the base has means for guiding the arms.

In an embodiment in which the arch is fixed, the base has two vertical walls on its sides lateral, these walls having a light at the front and a light at the back, these lights parallel to the plane of the base being crossed by rivets attaching the foot strap to the base and rivets for attaching the rear support piece to the base. The connecting pieces consist of two notched plates, parallel to the walls vertical of the base and attached respectively to each end of the foot strap and two similar notched plates attached respectively on each side of the support piece rear and overlapping by their surfaces notched to the pads connected to the foot strap, inserts with a longitudinal lumen in their overlapping area, so that these lights overlap, a means of attachment passing through these lights to immobilize the plates on the vertical walls of the base.

In an embodiment in which the support piece rear mounted on the roll bar and movable with the arch, the base has two vertical walls on its lateral sides, these walls presenting a light to the front and a light at the back, these lights parallel to the plane of the base being crossed by rivets for attaching the foot strap to the base and rivets for attaching the rear support piece to the base. The connecting pieces consist of two notched plates attached respectively to each end of the foot strap and two notched plates attached respectively to each side of the hoop and coming to be superimposed by their notched surfaces to the pads connected to the foot strap, pads having a light longitudinal in their overlapping area, such so that these lights overlap, a way to fixing through these lights to immobilize the plates on the vertical walls of the base.

In both cases, the vertical walls of the base advantageously have a threaded hole between the lights and the fixing means is a head screw knurled or notched to apply the pads against the vertical walls of the base.

According to another embodiment, in which the arch is fixed on the base, the connecting parts are made up of two flexible strips, for example in steel, connecting respectively one end of the foot strap on the opposite side of the support piece rear passing through the rear of the base.

According to one embodiment, the base has means guide the flexible bands and the fixing includes means for symmetrically driving the bands flexible and means for immobilizing these bands.

To this end, the training means are advantageously constituted by a pinion cooperating with two opposite teeth formed on the flexible bands in their overlapping area.

According to one embodiment, the immobilization means consist of projections on one side of the pinion and of a screw head.

In this case also, the base can have two vertical walls on its lateral sides, these walls with a light at the front and a light at the rear. Flexible bands also feature a light cooperating respectively with each of the rear lights of the base walls, these lights being crossed by fastening rivets of the foot strap and rear support piece to flexible bands.

The flexible strip connection is also applicable to an embodiment in which the part rear support is mounted on the roll bar and can be moved with the arch on the base.

By rivet, we understand all fixing means equivalents.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, three modes of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first mode execution.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the attachment according to the first embodiment in a first position.

Figure 3 is a side view of the attachment in the first position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the attachment according to the first embodiment in a second position.

Figure 5 is a side view of the binding shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment in which the rear support piece is mounted on a mobile roll bar, the rest of the construction being identical to the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of a third mode execution.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of fixing according to the third embodiment.

Figure 9 is a side view of the binding shown in Figure 8.

The binding shown in Figures 1 to 5 includes a base 1 in the form of a plate on the lateral sides parallel and rectilinear, this base being intended to be fixed directly or indirectly on a board. In its central area, the base 1 has, so known, a circular cutout 60 allowing its orientation on surfing. Along each of these sides lateral, the base has a vertical wall 2, respectively 3, these walls extending towards the rear by an arch 4 extending obliquely towards the rear. On walls 2 and 3, in the area of junction of these walls with the arch 4, is mounted a first strap 5 intended to pass over the shoe in the instep area. Belt 5 is represented schematically by two strands coming overlap. The means of attachment and, if necessary have not been shown. All types known loops can be used for this purpose. The walls 2 and 3 have, at the front, a first light 6, respectively 7, the direction of which extends parallel to the plane of the base 1. At the rear, the walls 2 and 3 have a second lumen 8, respectively 9, also extending parallel to the plane of the base 1 and aligned with the lights 6, respectively 7. Between lights 6 and 8, 7 and 9 respectively, walls 2 and 3 have a threaded hole 10. The corresponding hole in wall 3 is hidden by the roll bar 4. These holes are aligned with the corresponding lights 6, 8, respectively 7, 9. They are intended to receive a knurled screw 11, respectively 12.

The binding also comprises a second belt 13 intended to pass over the anterior part of the shoe surrounding the foot. This belt 13 will so-called foot strap. Like the belt 5, it is represented schematically by two strands, without attachment means and possibly tensioning. This foot strap 13 is mounted at the end of two rectangular plates 14 and 15 by means of rivets 16 and 17 and counter rivets 18 and 19. The inserts 14 and 15 have a longitudinal light 20, respectively 21. The interior faces, facing each other one from the other, plates 14 and 15 are notched vertically in the area of lights 20 and 21. The notches 22 and 23 are visible in Figure 1.

At the rear, inside the roll bar 4, the fixing includes a rear support plate 24, the most much of it is in the form of a gutter rising to the above the base 1 and coming from itself to support known manner against the roll bar 4. This support plate 24, intended to support the leg, is articulated on two rectangular plates 25 and 26 identical to plates 14 and 15, by means of rivets 27 and 28. The plates 25 and 26 therefore also have a longitudinal light 29, respectively 30 and one notched surface 31, respectively 32, this surface being however in this case turned towards outside of fixation.

In the assembled state, as shown for example in the Figure 2, the plates 14, 15, 25, 26 are located at the outside of the vertical walls 2 and 3 of the base. Rivets 16 and 17 pass through lights 6 and 7, against rivets 18 and 19 therefore being inside the walls 2 and 3. Similarly, the rivets 27 and 28 pass through lights 8 and 9 and holes 33 and 34 on the plate support 24, their counter rivets being inside the backing plate. The pads come overlap two by two by their notched surfaces as can be seen in Figure 2 for the pads 14 and 25. By means of screws 11 and 12, the plates are immobilized on walls 2 and 3. The overlapping the pad lights allows to obtain several relative positions of the platelets superimposed.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a first adjustment of the attachment in which the foot strap 13 is relatively forward and the backing plate 24 relatively backwards, which corresponds to a large shoe size.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second setting in which the foot strap 13 and the support plate 24 are closer to each other and closer to the center of base 1, which corresponds to a small shoe size.

To change the setting, simply unscrew partially screws 11 and 12 so that clear the notched surfaces from each other, which allows movement of the foot strap 13 and the plate support 24 in lights 6 to 9, then tighten the screws 11 and 12 in the desired position. We aknowledge that it is possible to move the belt 13 and the support plate 24 is symmetrically with respect to a point of the base, either asymmetrically. It is therefore possible to move a shoe relative to the fixation to modify the position of the foot on the surf.

In alternative embodiments, the inserts link could be located on the inner side of walls 2 and 3 or in these walls or on the base, parallel to the base, on each side of the central circular cutout 60.

In the variant shown in FIG. 6, the arch 4 ′ is independent of the vertical walls 2 and 3 and it is he who is integral with the plates 25 and 26, the support plate 24 'being mounted on the hoop 4'. The 4 'arch is also guided by its support on base 1.

The third embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 9 has several points in common with the first method of execution and, in order to avoid repetition, commonalities were designated by the same references as in Figure 1.

One of the strands 13a of the foot strap 13 is attached to the end of a first flexible strip 40, preferably steel, while the other strand 13b is attached to one end of a second flexible strip 41 analogous to band 40. These flexible bands 40 and 41 are superimposed on the back of the base 1 where they are guided by four legs 42 so as to adopt a curvature in an arc. The other end of the flexible strip 40 is connected to one of the sides of the support plate 24 by means of a rivet 43 passing through the hole 34 of the support plate. Likewise, the other end of flexible strip 41 is attached to the other side of the support plate 24 by means of a rivet 44 (figure 8).

The flexible strip 40 has a longitudinal lumen 45 cooperating with the light 8 of the base for the passage of the rivet 44 through the wall 2 of the base. Similarly, the flexible strip 41 has a light 46 cooperating with the light 9 of the base for the passage of the opposite rivet.

In its curved part, the flexible strip 40 has a trapezoidal notch 47 whose bottom is fitted with a rack-type toothing 48. The band flexible 41 is provided with a similar notch 49 of which the bottom has teeth 50, the notches 47 and 49 opening on opposite sides of the strips flexible, the depth of the notches being such that it frees up a space occupied by a pinion 51. This pinion 51 is rotatably mounted on a base 52 located on the side opposite the guide tabs 42 relative to the flexible blades. The pinion 51 is pivoted on the base 52 by means of a knurled screw 53 coming from screw into the base 52. The pinion 51 meshes simultaneously with the two teeth 48 and 50. The face outside of the pinion 51 is provided with four pins 54 evenly distributed and the face of the screw head 53 next to these nipples presents a series of hollows located on a circle corresponding to the passing circle by nipples 54, so that nipples 54 can engage in the recesses of the screw 53.

In the position of use, the pinion 51 is immobilized in rotation by screw 53. To make an adjustment, just partially unscrew the screw 53 to release the nipples 54, which allows them to train flexible bands 40 and 41 by the belt 13 and the support plate 24. The presence of the pinion 51 and the teeth 48 and 50 ensure a symmetrical displacement of the belt 13 and the support plate 24. It suffices then tighten the screw 53 to immobilize the flexible bands.

Instead of screw 53, one could use a non-rotating part, but able to move axially. The engagement of nipples 54 in this part non-rotating immobilizes the rotating pinion.

The means of immobilization could also be cam and lever type as in document WO 00/33922.

As already mentioned, the instep strap 5 could be removed and the belt 13 widened by so as to go up to the instep.

Claims (10)

Snowboard binding comprising a base (1) having two lateral sides at least approximately parallel and bearing: an arch (4) extending obliquely towards the rear, a rear support piece (24) rising inside the arch and movable on the base parallel to the lateral sides of the base, and a foot strap (13) intended to pass over the shoe in the region of the foot and displaceable on the base parallel to the lateral sides of the base, and kinematic connection means between the foot strap and the rear support piece,
characterized in that the kinematic connection means consist of connection pieces (14, 15, 25, 26; 40, 41) connecting the support piece (24) and the foot strap (13) and passing on each side from the central area of the base. Attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting pieces consist of arms (14, 15, 25, 26) connected respectively to the ends of the foot strap (13) and, directly or indirectly, to the sides of the piece rear support (24), these arms coming to be superimposed two by two, means (22, 23, 31, 32, 11, 12) being provided to immobilize the arms in a chosen superimposed position and in that the base has guide means (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) of said arms. Attachment according to claim 1, in which the arch (4) is fixed, characterized in that the base (1) has two vertical walls (2, 3) on its lateral sides, these walls having a lumen (6, 7 ) at the front and a light (8, 9) at the rear, these lights being parallel to the plane of the base and crossed by rivets for attaching the foot strap (13) to the base and rivets for attaching the rear support piece (24) to the base, and in that the connecting pieces consist of two notched plates (14, 15) attached respectively to each end of the foot strap and two notched plates (25, 26) respectively attached to each side of the rear support piece and superimposed by their notched surface on the plates connected to the foot strap, the notched plates having a longitudinal lumen (20, 21, 29, 30) in their overlapping area, so that these light s are superimposed, a fixing means passing through these slots to immobilize the plates on the vertical walls of the base. Attachment according to claim 1, in which the rear support piece (24 ') is mounted on the hoop (4') and movable with the hoop, characterized in that the base (1) has two vertical walls ( 2, 3) on its lateral sides, these walls having a light (6, 7) at the front and a light (8, 9) at the rear, these lights being parallel to the plane of the base and traversed by rivets for attaching the foot strap to the base and rivets for attaching the arch (4 ') to the base, and in that the connecting pieces consist of two notched plates (14, 15 ) respectively attached to each end of the foot strap and two notched plates (25, 26) respectively attached to each side of the arch (4 ') and coming to be superimposed by their notched surfaces on the plates connected to the strap foot, the pads having a longitudinal lumen (20, 21, 29, 30) in their overlapping zone, of such that these lights are superimposed, a fixing means passing through these lights to immobilize the plates on the vertical walls of the base. Fixing according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the vertical walls (2, 3) have threaded holes (10) between the slots (6, 8, 7, 9) and in that the fixing means is a screw (11, 12) with knurled or serrated head which is screwed into the threaded holes. Attachment according to claim 1, in which the arch is fixed on the base, characterized in that the connecting pieces consist of two flexible bands (40, 41) and in that the attachment comprises means (48, 50 , 51) ensuring the symmetrical displacement of the flexible bands and means (51, 54, 53) for immobilizing the flexible bands. Attachment according to claim 1, in which the rear support part is mounted on the arch and movable with the arch, characterized in that the connecting parts consist of two flexible bands (40, 41) and in that the attachment comprises means (48, 50, 51) ensuring the symmetrical displacement of the flexible bands and means (51, 54, 53) for immobilizing the flexible bands. Binding according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the symmetrical drive means consist of a pinion (51) cooperating with two opposite teeth (48, 50) formed on the flexible bands in their overlapping zone . Attachment according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for immobilizing the flexible strips consist of projections (54) on one face of the pinion (51) and of a screw head (53). Attachment according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the base (1) has two vertical walls (2, 3) on its lateral sides, these walls having a lumen (6, 7) at the front and a light (8, 9) at the rear, these lights being parallel to the plane of the base and in that the flexible strips (40, 41) also have a light (45, 46) cooperating respectively with each of the rear lights of the walls of the base (1), these openings being crossed by rivets for attaching the foot strap and the rear support piece to the flexible bands.

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