Device for adjusting the position of a shoe binding element on a sliding or walking board

Abstract

Relative position adjustment device between a first part (1) and a second part (2); Said first part (1) comprising a body (10) and a locking bar (3) movable relative to said body (10) between a locking position and an unlocking position, in which the first part (1) and the second part (2) are able to slide longitudinally relative to each other; The locking bar (3) comprising a first lateral side provided with a straight toothed edge (300); The second part (2) having a lower straight toothed edge (200), said straight toothed edge (300) of the locking bar (3) cooperating with the lower straight toothed edge (200) of the second part (2) in the locking position of the locking bar (3);said first part (1) comprising a cavity having at least a first edge having a toothed edge, called upper right toothed edge (100) cooperating with the right toothed edge (300) of the first lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar (3) is in its locking position.;

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of a shoe fixing element on a sliding or walking board.

[0002] The invention applies more particularly to adjusting the position of the binding element of a boot on a ski, especially a piste ski. State of the art

[0003] As is well known, a downhill ski, also called an alpine ski, has a binding designed to hold the skier's boot. Typically, the binding consists of a front attachment element called the "toe piece" and a rear attachment element commonly called the "heel piece".

[0004] To adjust the spacing between the toe piece and the heel piece and to adjust it to the length of the boot, it is known to slide each binding element along the longitudinal direction of the ski.

[0005] To this end, as described in patent applications FR2833851, FR2877234, and FR3018698, the adjustment device uses a two-toothed mechanism that cooperates to lock the longitudinal position of a first part onto a second part. The first tooth is carried by a locking bar on the first part, and the second tooth is carried by the second part. The locking bar can be moved between two positions: a first position in which the first part is locked onto the second part, and an unlocked position in which the first part can slide relative to the second part.

[0006] In these earlier mechanisms, the mechanical force applied against each fixing element is supported at least partially by the cooperation between the two teeth.

[0007] However, in the case where the fixing element is mostly made of a plastic material, particularly at the level of the two-toothed mechanism, it is essential to ensure that it remains in position regardless of the force applied, without risk of breakage, and to guarantee the durability of the product over time.

[0008] There is a need for a device for adjusting the longitudinal position of a fixing element of a sliding or walking board, which is particularly robust mechanically, especially when the parts of the device are intended to be made of plastic material. Description of the invention

[0009] This goal is achieved by providing a device for adjusting the relative longitudinal position by sliding between a first part and a second part, said device being used in a shoe attachment on a gliding or walking board; Said first part comprising a body and a locking bar movable relative to said body between a locking position of the relative longitudinal position between the first part and the second part and an unlocking position, in which the first part and the second part are able to slide longitudinally relative to each other; The locking bar comprising, along a longitudinal direction, a first lateral side provided with teeth, called straight teeth;The second part having teeth, called lower right teeth, said right teeth of the locking bar cooperating with the lower right teeth of the second part in the locking position of the locking bar, to lock the relative longitudinal position between the first part and the second part; said first part having a cavity in which said locking bar is partially embedded, this cavity having at least a first edge having teeth, called upper right teeth cooperating with the right teeth of the first lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar is in its locking position.

[0010] This goal is also achieved by providing a shoe attachment element for a sliding or walking board, which includes an adjustment device as defined above, but also an adjustment device having the characteristics listed in the preceding paragraph, supplemented by any technically permissible combination of the characteristics below: The locking bar has a second lateral side, opposite its first lateral side, also equipped with teeth, referred to as left-hand teeth. The right-hand teeth of the first lateral side of the locking bar and the left-hand teeth of the second lateral side of the locking bar are not identical. The right-hand teeth of the first lateral side of the locking bar are taller than the left-hand teeth of the second lateral side of the locking bar. The cavity of the first part has a second edge, opposite the first edge, equipped with teeth, referred to as the upper left-hand teeth, which cooperate with the left-hand teeth of the second lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar is in its locked position. The locking bar is mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction and is subjected to torsional stress by a spring during its rotational movement.The first and second parts are made of plastic. The cavity in the first part is deep enough to allow relative sliding between the first and second parts when the locking bar is in the unlocked position. The first part has a lever mechanically coupled to the locking bar and pivotable to move the locking bar between its locked and unlocked positions. The locking bar has an elongated shape with two opposing flats forming two planes parallel to the sliding plane and bearing on two transverse planes each tooth of said locking bar. Brief description of the figures

[0011] Other features and advantages will appear in the detailed description that follows, in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which: There figure 1 shows a gliding or walking board on which a front attachment element and a rear attachment element are mounted; The figure 2 The exploded view shows a fastening element for a gliding or walking board, equipped with the adjustment device of the invention; The figure 3 shows a bottom view of the first part of the adjustment device of the invention; The figure 4 The watch, in perspective, shows the top of the second part of the adjustment device of the invention; The figure 5 shows a detail of the first part, illustrating the locking bar's fit into the body of the first part of the device; The figure 6 shows in perspective the architecture of the locking bar used in the adjustment device of the invention; Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0012] There figure 1This shows a sliding board P, of the skiing type, or a walking board, such as a snowshoe, on which is mounted a binding designed to attach a boot (not shown). The binding typically comprises a front attachment element, commonly called the "toe piece" F_AV, and a rear attachment element, commonly called the "heel piece" F_AR.

[0013] In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" will be understood as referring to a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) extending along the length of the ski and oriented from the heel piece F_AR to the toe piece F_AV. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower," or "top" and "bottom," will be understood as referring to a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ski and oriented from the gliding face upwards.

[0014] The invention relates to a device for adjusting the longitudinal position of a fastening element. Such an adjustment device can be used to adjust the position of the front stop and / or to adjust the position of the heel piece.

[0015] In the attached figures, without limitation, the adjustment device is shown adapted to the F_AR heel piece.

[0016] In the following description, however, the adjustment device is described in general terms, so that it can be adapted to each element of the fixing, front or rear.

[0017] On the figure 2 For readability reasons, the ski brake (present on the figure 1 ) is not shown. However, the lever for engaging / disengaging the shoe on the rear binding element F_AR has been illustrated.

[0018] In this application, the term "tooth" should be understood generally as any prominent shape capable of forming an adjustment step. This may include a pointed shape, a truncated top, a notch, or any equivalent shape suitable for adjusting a position and maintaining that position securely by cooperating with a corresponding shape.

[0019] The adjustment device is arranged to allow adjustment of the relative longitudinal position between a first part 1 and a second part 2.

[0020] For the remainder of the description, we define a sliding plane which corresponds to the plane along which the two parts slide relative to each other. This sliding plane is advantageously parallel to the plane of the sliding or walking board.

[0021] Advantageously, the relative sliding between the first part 1 and the second part 2 is enabled by a guiding mechanism (dovetail type) between the two parts, allowing the first part 1 and the second part 2 to slide relative to each other along the longitudinal direction. On the figure 2 , we can see that the second piece 2 has a rail 22 and the first piece 1 has a complementary shape 12 which slides into said rail 22.

[0022] The adjustment device includes a locking bar 3, movable relative to the body 10 of the first part, between at least two positions: A locking position, in which it allows a relative longitudinal position to be locked between the first part 1 and the second part 2; An unlocking position in which it allows relative sliding movement between the first part 1 and the second part 2 along the longitudinal axis (X) via the guide mechanism;

[0023] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the first part 1, the second part 2 and the locking bar 3 are made of a plastic material, which provides in particular advantages in terms of manufacturing (molding of the parts), and guarantees in terms of recyclability and recovery of materials.

[0024] Advantageously, the locking bar 3 is mounted to rotate about itself relative to the body of the first part 1, around an axis of rotation (A) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X). In its rotational movement, the locking bar 3 is arranged to assume two extreme positions, corresponding respectively to its locked position and its unlocked position.

[0025] By way of example, the locking bar 3 is carried by the first part 1.

[0026] The adjustment device includes a spring 4, for example a torsion spring, mounted between the axis of rotation of the locking bar 3 and the body 10 of the first part 1, and arranged to strain the locking bar 3 towards its locking position.

[0027] To move from the locking position to the unlocking position, the locking bar 3 is thus rotated around its axis (A), against the mechanical force exerted by the torsion spring 4.

[0028] With reference to the figure 6 , the locking bar 3 has two opposite lateral faces oriented along the longitudinal direction, called first lateral face 30 and second lateral face 31.

[0029] The first lateral face 30 of the locking bar has a first set of teeth, called straight teeth 300, composed of several identical juxtaposed teeth.

[0030] Advantageously, the second lateral face 31 of the locking bar also has a second set of teeth, called left-hand teeth 310, composed of several identical juxtaposed teeth.

[0031] The right-hand teeth 300 and the left-hand teeth 310 are thus arranged on either side of the axis of rotation of the locking bar.

[0032] When the locking bar 3 is in its locked position, the teeth are oriented outwards relative to the axis of rotation, in two opposite lateral directions. They are therefore diametrically opposed with respect to the axis of rotation (A) and extend parallel to the sliding plane when the locking bar 3 is in the locked position.

[0033] When the locking bar 3 is rotated from its locking position to its unlocking position, against the force exerted by the spring 4, one of the two teeth is turned upwards and the other tooth is turned downwards.

[0034] In an advantageous way, as illustrated by the figure 5 and by the figure 6The two teeth are not symmetrical. To a non-limiting and advantageous extent, the right-hand teeth 300 are thus formed higher than the left-hand teeth 310.

[0035] In a non-exhaustive manner, it is also possible to provide for one of the two teeth to be deeper than the other.

[0036] By way of exception, the locking bar 3 is in the form of an elongated part along its axis of rotation (A), this part having, on its two opposite lateral faces, the right-hand teeth 300 and the left-hand teeth 310, arranged on either side of this axis, and on its upper and lower faces, two flats 32 (only one visible on the figure 6 ) opposites forming two junction faces between the teeth.

[0037] To rotate the locking bar 3 between its two positions, the device advantageously includes a lever (not visible in the accompanying figures) directly mechanically connected to the locking bar 3. The lever may be a separate part of the locking bar or part of the same part. This lever is movable relative to the body 10 of the first part 1. Rotating the lever actuates the locking bar 3.

[0038] According to the invention, the body 10 of the first part 1 has a cavity on its underside into which the locking bar 3 is partially fitted. Partial fitting means that, in its locked position, each right-hand tooth 300 and left-hand tooth 310 of the locking bar cooperates laterally, respectively, with a first paired tooth, referred to as the upper right-hand tooth 100, and with a second paired tooth, referred to as the upper left-hand tooth 110. These two teeth are present on the body 10 of the first part 1 and are formed on two lateral faces of the cavity. The teeth of each right-hand tooth 300 and left-hand tooth 310 of the locking bar are therefore also engaged with the body 10 of the first part 1, via, respectively, the upper right-hand tooth 100 and the upper left-hand tooth 110 of the first part 1.During the rotation of the locking bar 3 on itself, from its locking position to its unlocking position, the teeth of each right tooth 300 and left tooth 310 are released respectively from the corresponding upper right tooth 100 and upper left tooth 110 of the body 10 of the first part 1. In the case of a circular tooth, it may remain in contact.

[0039] According to the invention, with reference to the figure 4 , the second part 2 has a body 20 having an upper face, intended to be oriented upwards, opposite the lower face of the body 10 of the first part 1. On its upper face, the body 20 of the second part 2 has a longitudinal guide groove 21 and a clearance space for the rotation of the locking bar.

[0040] According to the invention, the groove 21 thus comprises two opposing longitudinal edges, designated first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge.

[0041] The first longitudinal edge and / or the second longitudinal edge is provided with a first set of teeth, referred to as the lower right tooth 200, and a second set of teeth, referred to as the lower left tooth 210, extending laterally towards the axis of the groove and arranged to cooperate respectively with the corresponding right tooth 300 and left tooth 310 of the locking bar 3 when the locking bar is in its locked position. The lower right tooth 200 and the lower left tooth 210 each have at least one tooth, advantageously several identical teeth placed side by side.

[0042] Advantageously, each longitudinal edge of groove 21 has a distinct toothing.

[0043] Naturally, the tooth or teeth of the lower right toothing 200 and lower left toothing 210 of the second part 2 have a shape that matches those of the corresponding teeth of the locking bar 3 when the locking bar 3 is in the locked position. It follows that these two teeth 200 and 210 are advantageously non-identical and non-symmetrical, in order to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of the locking bar 3.

[0044] The cooperation between the right-hand teeth 300 of the first part 1 and the lower right-hand teeth 200 of the second part 1, as well as between the left-hand teeth 310 (if present) of the first part 1 and the lower left-hand teeth 210 (if present) of the second part 2, ensures the locking of a relative position between the first part 1 and the second part 2.

[0045] In operation, the principle is as follows: The body 10 of the first part 1 is engaged by sliding on the body 20 of the second part 2, according to the sliding connection using the guide mechanism (12, 22); To allow sliding, the locking bar 3 is pivoted (using the lever) against the spring 4, so as to disengage the right-hand teeth 300 and the left-hand teeth 310 from the locking bar of the upper right-hand teeth 200, and the upper left-hand teeth 210 from the groove 21 of the second part 2. The left-hand teeth 310 (the shorter one to save space) are oriented opposite the bottom of the groove 21 when the locking bar 3 is in the unlocked position. When a position of the first part 1 relative to the second part 2 is chosen, the lever is released. The spring 4 returns the locking bar 3 to its locked position.The cooperation between the teeth 300, 310 of the locking bar 3 and those of the second part 2 ensures longitudinal locking between the first part 1 and the second part 2. The cooperation between two conjugate teeth is achieved so that the facets of the teeth of one tooth come to rest against the facets of the corresponding tooth.

[0046] As indicated above, when the locking bar 3 is in the locking position, each of its teeth 300, 310 is engaged both with the teeth 200, 210 of the second part to lock the position and with a corresponding tooth 100, 110 made on the body 10 of the first part 1, so as to solidify the mechanical connection.

[0047] Advantageously, the device is designed so that in the locked position, teeth 100 and 110 are very close to teeth 200 and 210. This allows the forces to be well distributed over a maximum surface area of ​​teeth 300 and 310. In practice, this means minimizing the play between the upper surface of the second part and the lower surface of the first part.

[0048] By way of non-limitation, the second piece 2 is for example fixed to the board P by any suitable means and the first piece 1 is mobile in longitudinal sliding relative to the second piece 2.

[0049] Advantageously, the first part 1, the second part 2, and the locking bar 3 are made of a plastic material. The mechanical connection between the two parts is perfectly suited to the use of these materials, being more robust and stronger against mechanical stress. This also offers advantages in terms of manufacturing and recyclability. By using the same material for all the parts, they can all be recovered and recycled simultaneously.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the relative longitudinal position by sliding between a first part (1) and a second part (2), said device being used in a shoe attachment on a gliding or walking board (P), - said first part (1) comprising a body (10) and a locking bar (3) movable relative to said body (10) between a locking position of the relative longitudinal position between the first part (1) and the second part (2) and an unlocking position, in which the first part (1) and the second part (2) are able to slide longitudinally relative to each other, the locking bar (3) comprising, along a longitudinal direction (X): ∘ a first lateral side provided with teeth, referred to as right-hand teeth (300), ∘ a second lateral side, opposite its first lateral side, also provided with teeth, referred to as left-hand teeth (310) - said second part (2) having teeth,said lower right-hand teeth (200), said right-hand teeth (300) of the locking bar (3) cooperating with the lower right-hand teeth (200) of the second part (2) in the locking position of the locking bar (3), to lock the relative longitudinal position between the first part (1) and the second part (2), , characterized in that the first part (1) has a cavity in which said locking bar (3) is partially embedded, said cavity having at least a first edge having teeth, said upper right teeth (100) cooperating with the right teeth (300) of the first lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar (3) is in its locked position, and in thatthe locking bar (3) has an elongated shape with two opposing flats (32) forming two planes parallel to the sliding plane and bearing on two transverse planes each tooth (300, 310) of said locking bar 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the right-hand teeth (300) on the first lateral side of the locking bar and the left-hand teeth (310) on the second lateral side of the locking bar (3) are not identical.

3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the right-hand teeth (300) on the first lateral side of the locking bar is higher than the left-hand teeth (310) on the second lateral side of the locking bar (3).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe cavity of the first part (1) has a second edge, opposite the first edge, having teeth, called upper left teeth (110), cooperating with the left teeth (310) of the second lateral side of the locking bar (3) when the locking bar (3) is in its locking position.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bar (3) is mounted to rotate freely around an axis (A) parallel to a longitudinal direction and in that It is subjected to torsional stress by a spring (4) in its rotational movement.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first part (1) and the second part (2) are made of plastic material.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe cavity of the first part (1) has sufficient depth to allow relative sliding between the first part (1) and the second part (2) when the locking bar (3) is in the unlocked position.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (1) includes a lever mechanically coupled to the locking bar and pivotable to engage a movement of the locking bar (3) between its locking position and its unlocking position.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upper right dentition (100) is formed by a part of the body (10) of the first piece (1).

10. Fixing element (F_AV, F_AR) of a shoe on a board (P) for gliding or walking, characterized in that It includes an adjustment device as defined in one of the preceding claims.

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