Binding for a snowboard, an aeroboard or a waterboard, with a support shell rotated by a lever serving as a ramp

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to a binding for a snowboard, a kitesurfing board or a wakeboard, comprising more particularly a base, a support shell, movable around a first axis of rotation mounted on the base and a lever, pivoting around a second axis of rotation, mounted on a hoop of the base and arranged in opposition to a toe strap relative to the first axis of rotation, to allow a power lever arm to serve as a ramp, in counter force relative to a stopper of the toe strap. Technique antérieure

[0002] A snowboard binding of this type is known from US 6267403. The lever is provided with notches to act as a ratchet and lock a boot specially provided at the counter, with an axis to cooperate with the notches. When a support shell is present, the second rotation axis is mounted on the support shell itself. In this case, the ratcheting and locking lever pivots independently of any rotation of the support shell.

[0003] Document WO 2020 / 020797 discloses a snowboard binding comprising a base, a support shell, movable about a first axis of rotation mounted on the base and a lever, which cooperates with the support shell to move it about the first axis of rotation. The lever is articulated by a link about a second axis of rotation mounted on the base and arranged in the same position opposite the first axis of rotation as a stopper of the base. In this arrangement, said lever serves as a control pedal, which again, is pressed by the user's boot against the base of the binding or against the snowboard itself, in the closed position.

[0004] Document EP 824 942 discloses a snowboard binding, comprising a base, a support shell, movable about a first axis of rotation mounted on the base and a lever, which cooperates with the support shell to move it about the first axis of rotation. The lever is mounted about the same first axis of rotation as the support shell while the power lever arm is split to allow the heel of a user's boot to be passed through to press a crossbar. The two power lever arms and the crossbar thus serve as a control pedal which in the closed position, is pressed by the user's boot against the base's binding base.

[0005] These documents reflect a state of the art in which the power lever arm serves as a pedal whose rotation is limited, in the closed position, by the baseplate mounting base or by the snowboard itself. An example is provided of a lever which does not have this limitation, but which serves as a ratcheting and locking lever, independently of any rotation of a support shell on which the lever is mounted.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is thus to modify the type of snowboard binding described above, with regard to the rotation of the power lever arm and consequently, to its effectiveness during boot entry when it controls the resistance lever arm to move the support shell from the open position to the closed position. The invention should also be applied to the field of kitesurfing boards or wakeboards.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a snowboard binding in accordance with the introductory description, characterized in that the power lever arm controls a resistance lever arm, which cooperates with the support shell to move it around the first axis of rotation, between an open position and a closed position, when the lever pivots around the second axis of rotation.

[0008] When putting on a binding according to the invention, the end of a user's boot or liner is received by the toe strap stopper while the user exerts a force on the power lever arm, as close as possible to the heel of the boot, by the arrangement of the second axis of rotation, in opposition to the stopper relative to the first axis of rotation. During the tilting of the lever around the second axis of rotation, the user's boot moves along the power lever arm which serves as a sliding ramp, or even a rolling ramp, in counter force relative to the stopper with the toe strap. The power lever arm converts this force into rotation of the support shell, without the rotation of said arm being limited by a base of the binding or by the snowboard itself.Additionally, the power lever arm's ramp function helps prevent compacting snow between the snowboard or binding base and a support shell control pedal.

[0009] In the closed position, the power lever arm is locked in rotation, in the direction tending to move the support shell into the open position, by the counter of the user's boot or liner, the tip of the boot or liner being engaged with the toe strap. In the opposite direction of rotation, the power lever arm is locked by the arch of the base. To allow locking in the two opposite directions of rotation, with respect to any size of boot or liner, the toe strap is provided with tightening means known per se, suitable for varying the size of the binding, defined between the stopper of the toe strap and the arch of the base.

[0010] It follows that a binding according to the invention has improved effectiveness when putting on the shoe compared to the state of the art described previously.

[0011] In one embodiment, the power lever arm may include rolling parts to further facilitate the ramp function.

[0012] In another embodiment, the boot toe stopper may include a tip mounted about a rotational axis mounted on the toe strap for orientation during donning and doffing.

[0013] In another embodiment, the second axis of rotation can be mounted on a first end and a second end of the base hoop between which an opening is provided, in order to reduce the mass of the attachment.

[0014] The resistance lever arm and the support shell may cooperate via a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, fixed to the support shell, the resistance lever arm being engaged with the second connecting piece through an opening.

[0015] Preferably, the second connecting piece is reversibly attached to the first connecting piece in the opening and closing position of the support shell and is detached from the first connecting piece in a storage position of the support shell. It can also be inserted into the opening of the resistance arm in the opening and closing position of the support shell and be released from the opening of the resistance arm in the storage position.

[0016] Other advantages of the invention are described in the disclosure below illustrated by the following drawings: [ Fig. 1 ] shows in perspective a first embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. [ Fig. 2 ] shows a side view of the first embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. Fig. 3 ] shows a side view of the first embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in an intermediate position. Fig. 4 ] shows a side view of the first embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in a closed position. Fig. 5 ] shows in perspective a variant of the first embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. [ Fig. 6 ] shows in perspective a second embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. [ Fig. 7 ] shows a partial view of a variant of the first or second embodiment of the invention. [ Fig. 8 ] shows a partial sectional view of the variant embodiment of the fi-gure 7 . [ Fig. 9 ] shows a view of the toe strap of the alternative embodiment of the figure 7 . [ Fig. 10 ] shows a rear view of a third embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the closed position. Fig. 11 ] shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. Fig. 12 ] shows a side view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the closed position. [ Fig. 13 ] shows in side view the fourth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in a position folded towards the base fixing base. Fig. 14 ] shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the open position. Fig. 15 ] shows a side view of the fifth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in the closed position. Fig. 16 ] shows in side view the fifth embodiment of the invention, the support shell being in a position folded towards the base fixing base.

[0017] It should be noted that in the following presentation, the same element bears the same reference in both figures.

[0018] A snowboard, kitesurfing board or wakeboard binding according to the invention comprises a base 1 and a support shell 3, movable about a first axis of rotation A1 mounted on the base 1. A lever 5 comprising a power lever arm 5a and a resistance lever arm 5b is also movable in rotation relative to the base. The resistance lever arm 5b cooperates with the support shell 3 to move it about the first axis of rotation A1 between an open position and a closed position, when it is controlled in rotation by the power lever arm 5a.

[0019] As previously explained, the lever 5 pivots about a second axis of rotation A2 which is mounted on a hoop 10, raised relative to a fixing base 4 of the base 1, and which is arranged in opposition to a toe strap 7 relative to the first axis of rotation A1. This arrangement allows the power lever arm 5a to serve as a ramp, when putting on and taking off the shoe, between the open position and the closed position, in counterforce relative to a stopper of the toe strap 7.

[0020] There figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, in which the power lever arm 5a forms a sliding ramp in counterforce of a boot or slipper toe stopper comprising two branches 9a, 9b of the toe strap 7 separated by a notch 9c. The toe strap 7 is provided with a tightening means 17 known per se. Note that the notch can be replaced by a deformable structure, solid or composed of mesh.

[0021] THE figures 2 has 4 illustrate the operation of the invention.

[0022] During the putting on of shoes, figure 2 , the boot or slipper of a user 2 is received by the two branches 9a, 9b of the toe strap stopper 7 while the user's heel exerts a force on the power lever arm 5a. Figure 3, during the tilting of the lever 5 around the second axis of rotation A2 against an elastic return means, the user's boot or slipper 2 moves along the power lever arm 5a which serves as a sliding ramp, in counter force relative to the toe strap stopper 7. The power lever arm 5a controls the rotation of the resistance lever arm 5b to allow the latter to move the support shell 3.As will be detailed later, the resistance lever arm 5b and the support shell 3 cooperate via a first connecting piece 13 and a second connecting piece 11 or 12, fixed to the support shell 3, the resistance lever arm 5b being engaged with the second connecting piece 11 or 12 through an opening 5d, provided in the resistance lever arm 5b.

[0023] In the closed position, figure 4 , the power lever arm 5a is locked in rotation, in the direction tending to move the support shell 3 into the open position, by the buttress of the user's boot or slipper 2, the tip of the boot or slipper being engaged with the stopper of the toe strap 7. In the opposite direction of rotation, the power lever arm 5a is locked by the arch 10 of the base 1. An ankle strap 19, mounted on the base 1 and comprising a tightening means 21 known per se, makes it possible to lock the boot or slipper 2 in the closed position.

[0024] When taking off the shoes, the user unlocks the closed position by loosening the ankle strap 19, then lifts the heel while the tip of the boot or liner 2 is engaged with the stopper of the toe strap 7. Here again, the lever arm 5a serves as a shoe-removal ramp. The elastic return means accompanies the movement of the user's heel and controls the support shell 3 into the open position, by means of the resistance lever arm 5b, cooperating with the second connecting piece 11. At the end of rotation, the resistance lever arm 5b is blocked by the arch 10.

[0025] The variant embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figure 5 , is distinguished by the fact that the power lever arm 5a is provided with rolling parts 5c to facilitate the ramp effect, when putting on and taking off the shoe.

[0026] The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figure 6 differs from the previous one in that the stopper comprises a tip 15 mounted around a rotation axis A3 mounted on the toe strap 7. This arrangement allows the stopper to be oriented according to the position of the boot or liner during putting on and taking off. It thus improves user comfort and the effectiveness of locking the power lever arm 5a in the closed position by the counter of the boot or liner. The tip 15 may be a part attached to the toe strap 7 by the rotation axis A3 and shaped to fit the end of the boots or liners.

[0027] The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figures 7 has 9differs from the previous one in that the toe strap 7 and the base 1 comprise reciprocal locking means 6, 8 in rotation allowing the toe strap 7 to take different adjustment positions, to further improve the effectiveness of the counter-force effect of the stopper 9, 15 relative to the power lever arm 5a. The locking means comprise for example notches 8 and reciprocal ribs 6 while the toe strap 7 is provided with elastic pressure means 18, 20 to snap into a housing 22 of a socket 24 of the base. The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the figure 10 differs from the previous modes in that the second axis of rotation A2 is mounted on a first end 10a and a second end 10b of the base 1, between which an opening 23 is provided.

[0028] There figure 10 also allows a detailed description of the means of cooperation between the support shell 3 and the resistance lever arm 5b, implemented in these embodiments.

[0029] The first connecting piece 13 is fixed to the support shell 3 and comprises two stiffeners 13a, 13b. The second connecting piece 11 comprises a tab 11a to be reversibly attached to the first connecting piece 13, in the opening and closing position of the support shell 3 and to be detached from the first connecting piece 13, in a storage position. In the example of the figure 10 , the two stiffeners 13a, 13b of the first connecting piece 13 form a housing into which a rod 11b carried by the second connecting piece 11 and serving as a reversible attachment means is inserted.

[0030] When putting on the shoe, the resistance lever arm 5b engages with the stiffeners 13a, 13b of the first connecting piece 13 to move the support shell 3 into the closed position. When taking off the shoe, the resistance lever arm 5b transmits to the support shell 3 the force of the elastic return means 16, via the second connecting piece 11, reversibly attached to the first connecting piece 13.

[0031] The first and second connecting pieces 11 and 13 just described form a connecting loop, in which the second connecting piece extends through the opening 5d of the resistance lever arm 5b to be closed on the first connecting piece 13, thanks to the reversible attachment means 11b. The opening of the connecting loop makes it possible to fold the support shell 3 around the first axis of rotation A1 into a storage position.

[0032] In the figures 11 has 14, the second connecting piece 12 is inserted into the opening 5d of the resistance lever arm 5b, in the opening and closing position of the support shell 3 and is released from the opening 5d of the resistance lever arm, in a storage position of the support shell 3. The second connecting piece 12 is shaped, preferably in a hook describing a bend in an anti-clockwise or clockwise direction.

[0033] According to the fifth embodiment, it is more particularly provided to fix an elastically deformable part 14, for example in the form of a blade, to the first connecting part 13, and preferably between the stiffeners 13a and 13b of the latter, to determine, figure 14, the opening position by pressure exerted on a stop 5e carried by the resistance lever arm 5b. The elastic deformation of this part 14 allows the support shell 3 to take an over-opening position, determined by compression of said part between the first connecting part 13 and the stop 5e carried by the resistance lever arm 5b. This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to reduce the size of the binding in the opening position while facilitating putting it on from the over-opening position. The user obtains the over-opening position by pressure exerted on the support shell 3 while he is not yet exerting pressure on the power lever arm 5a of the lever 5.

[0034] It should be remembered here that the power lever arm is blocked by the base hoop and not by the binding base. In the application to a snowboard, this result is particularly advantageous, noting that the possible presence of snow between the boot and the base can obstruct the rotation of the power lever arm and thus prevent the complete closure of the binding. In nautical applications, the result is also advantageous, in the event of accidental obstruction.

Claims

1. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard, comprising a base (1), a highback (3) movable around a first axis of rotation (A1) mounted on the base (1) and a lever (5), pivoting around a second axis of rotation (A2) mounted on an arch (10) of the base (1) and in opposition to a toe strap (7) relative to the first axis of rotation (A1) so that the power lever arm (5a) can be used as a ramp in counterforce against a stopper (9a, 9b, 15) of the toe strap (7), characterized in that the power lever arm (5a) controls a resistance lever arm (5b) that cooperates with the highback (3) to move it around the first axis of rotation (A1), between an open position and a closed position, during the pivoting of the lever (5) around the second axis of rotation (A2).

2. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper includes a tip (15) mounted around an axis of rotation (A3) mounted on the toe strap (7).

3. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the power lever arm (5a) is provided with bearing parts (5c).

4. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the toe strap (7) and the base (1) include mutual rotation blocking means (6, 8) that allow the toe strap (7) different adjustment positions.

5. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the resistance lever arm (5b) and the highback (3) cooperate through a first connecting part (13) and a second connecting part (11, 12) that are fixed to the highback (3), wherein the resistance lever arm (5b) is engaged with the second connecting part (11, 12) through an opening (5d).

6. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 5, characterized in that the second connecting part (11) is reversibly attached to the first connecting part (13) in the open position and in the closed position of the highback (3) and is detached from the first connecting part (13) in a storage position of the highback (3).

7. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 5, characterized in that the second connecting part (12) is inserted into the opening (5d) of the resistance lever arm (5b) in the open position and in the closed position of the highback (3) and is removed from the opening (5d) of the resistance lever arm (5b) in a storage position of the highback (3).

8. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 7, characterized in that the second connecting part (12) is shaped as a clockwise or anticlockwise bent hook.

9. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a part with elastic deformation (14) that is tied to the first connecting part (13) to determine the open position of the highback (3) by pressing a stop (5e) on the resistance lever arm (5b).

10. Binding for a snowboard, a kitesurf or a wakeboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the second axis of rotation (A2) is mounted on a first end (10a) and a second end (10b) of the bow (10) that block the power lever arm (5a) in the closed position, wherein there is an opening (23) between them.