Cleat and method of use

Abstract

A crampon comprises: - fastening and redirecting parts; - a wire element (3) connecting the fastening and redirecting parts, the wire element (3) passing through the first holes of the fastening part and the second holes of the redirecting part (B); - an adjustment device (4) for setting the effective length of the wire element (3); - right and left obstacles (7', 7") arranged in the redirecting part (B) and bypassed by the wire element (3) to introduce changes of direction; - a friction element (10) introducing at least one change of direction of the wire element (3) between the right and left obstacles. The wire element (3) has first and second ends that are attached respectively to the right and left fasteners. The first and second ends are attached independently and removably to the right and left fasteners.

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a crampon and a method of using such a crampon. Previous technique

[0002] To move on ice and frozen ground, it is advantageous to attach crampons to your shoes to improve traction. Crampons are adjustable in length. As illustrated in the figures 1 and 2 It is common to use a crampon which has a front part 1 and a rear part 2 which are connected by a mechanical link whose length is adjustable to adapt the distance between the front part 1 and the rear part 2. Rigid crampons are known where the front part 1 and the rear part 2 are connected to a metal bar which provides the required rigidity.

[0003] There are other configurations where such rigidity is not required. For example, the goal is to be able to fold the crampon to reduce its size. The applicant markets crampons under the name "LEOPARD" in which the front part 1 and the rear part 2 are connected by a closed ring formed by a wire element 3. The ring is composed of two strands of a wire element 3, which is in the form of a cord made of textile material. The cord is in the form of a closed loop, the two ends of which are sewn to prevent the cord ring from opening. One strand extends on the right side and the second strand extends on the left side. The two strands connect the front part 1 to the rear part 2.

[0004] To adapt the crampon length to the boot length for a given cord loop length, the rear section 2 is equipped with an adjustment device 4 comprising a plurality of hooks 5 arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal direction of the rear section 2. The cord strand(s) hook into one of the hooks 5 to adjust the effective length of the cord loop between the front section 1 and the rear section 2. The cord winds along the rear section 2, and the path it takes determines the effective length between the front section 1 and the rear section 2. The presence of two sets of hooks allows for fine-tuning the crampon length by selecting the most suitable hooks, including two hooks that are not directly opposite each other along the transverse direction.

[0005] The front part 1 of the crampon has two holes through which the cord passes. The rear part 2 also has two holes through which the cord passes. This configuration keeps the front part 1 securely attached to the rear part 2 as long as the cord loop is closed. It also requires closing the loop after attaching the front part 1 and the rear part 2.

[0006] It appears that this configuration could be improved in practice. The cord ring is a component that wears out, particularly when in contact with the ground, especially on uneven terrain and rocky areas. To replace the cord ring, a loose cord is provided. The cord passes through multiple holes in the front section (1) and the rear section (2). The ring is closed with a knot. Experienced users can tie a knot that will not come undone during use. However, the knot creates more bulk than a sewn knot, which can lead to preferential wear of the knot.

[0007] This type of crampon typically uses a front section (1) and / or a rear section (2) made of aluminum, which can wear out quickly if the crampon is used in rocky terrain. Replacing the front section (1) or the rear section (2) requires cutting the cord loop.

[0008] It also appears that in certain configurations, during walking, the misalignment between the front part 1 and the rear part 2 causes the cord to slide between the right and left strands. This configuration is illustrated in the figure 3 This results in accelerated wear of the cord and discomfort while walking.

[0009] Another crampon design, marketed by Black Diamond under the name "NEVE PRO CRAMPON," is known to have a front and a rear section. The front and rear sections are connected by a single steel wire held in place by a bypass element. Both ends of the steel wire terminate in curved toes that attach to adjustment holes in the front section. The use of a steel wire results in a significant increase in weight and a springy effect when the crampons are folded. It also appears that the curved toes are not easily usable with gloves for novice users. Object of the invention

[0010] One object of the invention is to provide a crampon which facilitates the replacement of the wire element without reducing the maintenance of the crampon adjustment during walking.

[0011] This result is achieved using a crampon that includes: a front part and a rear part intended to be arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction, one of the front and rear parts forming a fixing part, the other of the front and rear parts forming a redirecting part; a wire element connecting the front and rear parts, the wire element passing through a first right hole and a first left hole of the fixing part and passing through a second right hole and a second left hole of the redirecting part; an adjustment device disposed in the front and / or rear part and configured to adjust an effective length of the wire element and adjust a maximum distance between the front and rear parts; a right obstacle and a left obstacle disposed in the redirecting part and bypassed by the wire element to introduce changes of direction of the wire element;a friction element introducing at least one change of direction of the wire element between the right obstacle and the left obstacle along the wire element.

[0012] The crampon is remarkable in that the wire element has a first end and a second end which are attached respectively to a right and a left attachment of the fixing part, the first end and the second end being attached independently and removably to the right and left attachments.

[0013] Advantageously, the front and rear parts are aligned so that, simultaneously, the right attachment, the first right hole, the second right hole and the right obstacle define a first straight line and the left attachment, the first left hole, the second left hole and the left obstacle define a second straight line.

[0014] In a particular configuration, the first end of the wire element is terminated by a loop and the second end of the wire element is terminated by a loop.

[0015] In an advantageous development, the adjustment device includes a right obstacle and a left obstacle. The right and left obstacles are positioned in depression relative to a plane intended to receive a shoe sole.

[0016] Preferably, the right and left attachments are arranged under a plane intended to receive a shoe sole.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method of using a crampon which allows for easy replacement of crampon components without degrading the crampon's operation.

[0018] This result is achieved through a crampon-based method involving the following steps: provide a crampon according to any of the previous configurations; detach the wire element from the right attachment and / or the left attachment and separate the front and rear parts; replace at least one of the wire element, the front and rear parts; independently attach one end of the wire element to the right attachment and a second end of the wire element to the left attachment, the wire element connecting the front part with the rear part by passing through the adjustment device, around the right and left obstacles, the wire element being supported against a friction element introducing at least one change of direction of the wire element between the right and left obstacles along the wire element. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] : schematically illustrates a perspective view of a crampon according to prior art; [ Fig. 2 ] : schematically illustrates a top view of the crampon according to prior art; Fig. 3 ] : schematically illustrates a top view of the crampon according to the prior art with misalignment between the front and rear parts; Fig. 4 ] : schematically illustrates a perspective view of a first method of implementing a crampon; Fig. 5 ] : schematically illustrates a top view of the crampon according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6] : schematically illustrates a top view of the crampon according to the first embodiment with misalignment between the front and rear parts. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] THE figures 4 to 6These images illustrate different views of a crampon configuration. The crampon has a front section 1 and a rear section 2. The front section 1 and the rear section 2 are connected by a cord 3, which is preferably a flexible element. The cord 3 is a flexible element, preferably a flexible textile element made of plastic. It is advantageous for the cord 3 not to be a steel cable or another metal alloy in order to reduce the weight of the crampon and to make folding the crampon easier. In addition, a textile cord element is easier to repair when it is cut. A knot can be tied to join the two strands, and then the adjustment mechanism can be adjusted to compensate for the length lost due to the knot.

[0021] Each end of the wire element 3 is attached to a fixing part A, which is one part of the front part 1 and the rear part 2. The wire element 3 passes through a guide part B, which is formed by the other part of the front part 1 and the rear part 2. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 6 , the front part 1 forms the fixing part A while the rear part 2 forms the return part B, but the reverse configuration is possible.

[0022] The wire element 3 extends continuously from the first end 3' to the second end 3", passing through the front section 1 and the rear section 2. Between the front section 1 and the rear section 2, the wire element 3 consists of two strands. A first strand, 3a, called the right strand, is located in the right part of the crampon, while a second strand, 3b, called the left strand, is located in the left part of the crampon. The first strand, 3a, is continued by the second strand, 3b, so that both strands belong to the same wire element 3.

[0023] In the configuration illustrated in figures 4 , 5 and 6The front part 1 and the rear part 2 are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal direction that corresponds to the length of the foot once the crampon is attached to a shoe. The crampon has a thickness direction that is vertical when the crampon is placed on its teeth and on a horizontal surface. figures 4 And 5 are a top-view observation along the thickness direction.

[0024] The front part 1 has a body 1a which defines one or more teeth 1b. A first fastening device 1c is attached to the body 1a. The first fastening device 1c is configured to receive a front part of a shoe. For example, the first fastening device 1c is a metal rod configured to fit into a notch in a so-called "crampon-compatible" shoe. Other fastening devices 1c are possible.

[0025] The rear portion 2 has a body 2a that defines one or more teeth 2b. A second fastening device 2c is attached to the body 2a. The second fastening device 2c is configured to receive a rear portion of a boot. For example, the second fastening device 2c has a metal rod and a tongue 2d mounted to pivot around the metal rod. The tongue 2d is configured to fit into a notch in a so-called "crampon-compatible" boot.

[0026] The front part 1 is connected to the rear part 2 by a flexible link. The flexible link is formed by two strands of the wire element 3. It is particularly advantageous to use a wire element 3 because it allows the front part 1 to be folded against the rear part 2 in order to reduce the bulk of the crampon when it is not in use.

[0027] The crampon has an adjustment device 4 configured to adjust the effective length of the wire element 3 and the longitudinal dimension of the crampon, i.e., the maximum distance between the front part 1 and the rear part 2. The adjustment device 4 can be located in the front part 1 and / or in the rear part 2 and / or in the return part B. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 6 The adjustment device 4 is formed in the rear part 2 by means of a plurality of hooks 5 which are arranged in the body 2a. The hooks 5 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 6 , the adjustment device 4 is formed by two sets of hooks 5 which allow two portions of the wire element 3 to hook together to provide a greater range of adjustment.

[0029] Advantageously, the adjustment device 4 is configured to lock the wire element 3 when the wire element 3 is inserted into the adjustment device 4. Locking the wire element 3 prevents it from sliding along its longitudinal direction. Preferably, the wire element 3 connects the front part 1 with the rear part 2 by cooperating before the adjustment device, bypassing the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7'.

[0030] To facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the crampon, it is particularly advantageous that the wire element 3 has a first end 3' and a second end 3" which are attached respectively to a right-hand attachment 6' and a left-hand attachment 6" of the attachment part A. The first end 3' and the second end 3" are attached independently and removably to the right-hand attachment 6' and the left-hand attachment 6". The wire element 3 is not presented in the form of a closed ring.

[0031] The fastening part A includes the right-hand 6' fastener and the left-hand 6' fastener. The first 3' end of the wire element 3 is attached to the right-hand 6' fastener and the second 3" end of the wire element 3 is attached to the left-hand 6' fastener.

[0032] Advantageously, the first end 3' and the second end 3" are terminated by a loop 3c. The loop 3c can be closed by a knot, a seam, or any other suitable means. It is conceivable that the fastening portion A may have additional fasteners arranged in an offset longitudinal direction to form all or part of the adjustment device 4 configured to adjust the effective length of the wire element 3. The right-hand fastener 6' and the left-hand fastener 6" can independently take the form of a slot, a hook, or any other means suitable for securing the loop 3c.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous to provide that both ends are finished with industrially sewn loops because this allows better control of the length of the wire element 3 as well as the dimensions and mechanical performance of the loops.

[0034] It is advantageous for the loop 3c and the attachment to securely fix the end of the wire element 3 relative to the body, with or without tension in the wire element 3. Securing the first end 3' and the second end 3" relative to the attachment point A greatly reduces the risk of slippage between the strands and therefore the risk of misalignment between the front part 1 and the rear part 2, as illustrated in the figure 5 compared to figure 2 .

[0035] The return part B has a right obstacle 7' and a left obstacle 7" which are bypassed by the wire element 3 in order to impose a change of direction on the wire element 3. Between the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7", the wire element 3 is in contact with a friction element 10 which is preferably the body of the return part B.

[0036] The path of the wire element 3 can be as follows. The first end 3' is attached to the right-hand fastener 6' and the wire element 3 leaves the fastening part A through a first straight hole 8' until it reaches a straight obstacle 7' by passing through a second straight hole 9' of the redirecting part B. Preferably, the wire element 3 extends predominantly in the longitudinal direction from the fastening part A to the right-hand obstacle 7' and from the fastening part A to the left-hand obstacle 7'. The wire element 3 travels inside the redirecting part B from the second straight hole 9', bypassing the right-hand obstacle 7' until it reaches the friction element 10. The wire element 3 rests against the friction element 10 and extends to the left-hand obstacle 7'. Preferably, the friction element 10 is arranged between the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7" along the wire element 3.The wire element 3 bypasses the left obstacle 7" passes through the body of the redirecting part B by passing through a second left hole 9" then extends until it attaches to the left fastener 6" of the fixing part A by passing through a first left hole 8" of the body of the fixing part A. Preferably, the wire element 3 extends predominantly in the longitudinal direction from the right obstacle 7' and from the left obstacle 7" to the friction element 10.

[0037] Preferably, the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7" introduce sufficient friction with the wire element 3 to prevent the wire element 3 from sliding. More preferably, the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7" are formed by the adjustment device 4.

[0038] In order to limit wear on the wire element 3 between its first end 3' fixed to the right-hand attachment 6' and the right-hand obstacle 7', ilIt is advantageous for the wire element 3 to extend in a straight line. The same is advantageous for the portion of wire element 3 connecting the left 6" bracket and the left 7" obstruction. It is preferable to have the first right 8' hole positioned opposite the right 6' bracket along its length. It is also preferable for the first left 8" hole to be positioned opposite the left 6" bracket along its length.

[0039] Even more advantageously, the return part B defines a second right hole 9' which is opposite the right obstacle 7' and / or the return part B defines a second left hole 9" which is opposite the left obstacle 7".

[0040] The fixing part A and the redirecting part B can be positioned so that the straight attachment 6', the first straight hole 8', the second straight hole 9', and the straight obstacle 7' are aligned. This allows for a wire element 3 that extends in a straight line from the straight attachment 6' to the straight obstacle 7'. This configuration helps to limit the effect of the edges against the wire element 3 during walking phases.

[0041] Even more advantageously, the attachment part A and the redirect part B can be arranged in a position where the right attachment 6', the first right hole 8', the second right hole 9', and the right obstacle 7' are simultaneously aligned, and where the left attachment 6', the first left hole 8', the second left hole 9', and the left obstacle 7' are aligned. When the attachment part A and the redirect part B are attached to a shoe, the two strands of the wire element 3 extend in a straight or nearly straight line, which limits the forces against the wire element 3.

[0042] Securing the wire element 3 at both ends, in conjunction with the two friction-inducing obstacles and the contact with the friction element 10, allows for better stabilization of the wire element 3's position relative to the front part 1 and the rear part 2. It was observed that the risk of the rear part 2 pivoting relative to the front part 1 is reduced compared to the configuration illustrated in the... figures 1 to 3 .

[0043] The settings of wire element 3 are better maintained while reducing the stresses on wire element 3 which tend to cut the wire element 3. It is also easier to perform the replacement of wire element 3, front part 1 or rear part 2.

[0044] Compared to the configuration illustrated in figures 1 to 3 , ilIt is preferable that the first right-hand hole (8"), the first left-hand hole (8"), the second right-hand hole (9"), and the second left-hand hole (9") be through holes in the longitudinal direction, that is, perpendicular to the thickness direction. This reduces the risk of contact between the shoe sole and the wire element 3. It also avoids creating sections where the wire element 3 forms a right angle. These sections are damaging to the wire element 3 and do not prevent unwanted sliding.

[0045] When the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7" belong to an adjustment device 4, ilIt is possible that certain extreme positions of the adjustment device 4 may not allow the wire element 3 to be aligned straight between a fastener and the obstacle. The wire element 3 rests against the internal side walls of the second right 9" hole and the second left 9" hole. This configuration represents the smallest shoe sizes, which generally corresponds to lighter users who put less stress on the wire element 3.

[0046] When the first 3' end and / or the second 3" end have a 3c loop, il It is advantageous for the loop 3c to extend from the right attachment 6' to the first right hole 8' so that a larger section of the wire element 3 is in contact with an edge of the hole where appropriate.

[0047] When the adjustment device 4 includes the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7", it is advantageous for the upper walls of the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7" to be arranged in a depression relative to the upper surface of the body intended to support the foot. As illustrated in the figure 6 , the central portion of the body receiving the adjustment device 4 defines a low-pressure area which makes it possible to reduce or even avoid contact between the wire element 3 and a sole.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing part A introduces no friction with the wire element 3. The advantageous configuration of the second left and right holes reduces friction. The adjustment is maintained by taking advantage of the locking of both ends of the wire element 3, the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7".

[0049] The wire element 3 is fixedly and stationarily attached to the right 6' and left 6" attachment points. Preferably, the wire element 3 has a first end 3' and a second end 3" which are statically fixed to a right 6' and left 6" attachment point, respectively, of the binding section A. The wire element 3 can slide easily along the guide section B to adjust its position. This allows the lengths of the first strand 3a and the second strand 3b to be adjusted to define the angle of inclination between the front 1 and rear 2 sections required by the boot. Once the wire element 3 is under tension, the two strands have fixed lengths due to the friction introduced by the various changes in direction.

[0050] By statically fixing, we mean that the first end 3' is positioned immobile relative to the right attachment 6' and the second end 3" is positioned immobile relative to the left attachment 6". When attempting to move the front part 1 and the rear part 2 apart, the wire element 3 is stretched to its maximum extension, thus fixing the position of the front part 1 relative to the rear part 2. When attempting to move the front part 1 and the rear part 2 closer together, the wire element 3 deforms. This deformation of the wire element 3 prevents the first end 3' from being applied to the right attachment 6' and the second end 3" from being applied to the left attachment 6". figures 4 to 6illustrate a configuration where the ends are nodes formed at the two opposite ends of the wire element 3. The two ends are made of the flexible material of the wire element 3. This configuration allows the two ends of the wire element 3 to be effectively hooked.

[0051] The configuration in document 2015 / 0216265 discloses a configuration where the wire element passes through two through holes in the rear portion and a displacement of the strand of the wire element results in a displacement of the end of the wire element relative to the hole.

[0052] In addition, the right obstacle 7', the left obstacle 7" and the friction element 10 induce friction between the wire element 3 and the return part B. The friction allows the wire element strand 3 to be locked between the right attachment 6' and the right obstacle 7' and allows the wire element strand 3 to be locked between the left attachment 6" and the left obstacle 7".

[0053] This configuration prevents misalignment between the right and left parts of the front part 1 and the rear part 2 from resulting in a displacement of the return part B along the wire element 3 between the first end 3' and the second end 3".

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 6The first strand extends linearly or almost linearly from the right attachment point 6' to the right obstacle 7', and the second strand extends linearly or almost linearly from the left attachment point 6" to the left obstacle 7". The linear configuration of the strand between the attachment point and the obstacle prevents the formation of a friction point along this portion of the strand. Friction between the wire element 3 and the guide section B is limited to the portion of the wire element 3 located between the right obstacle 7' and the left obstacle 7". The absence of friction between the attachment point and the obstacle reduces the wear rate of the wire element 3 during walking phases.

Claims

1. Crampon comprising: - a front part (1) and a rear part (2) intended to be arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction, one of the front part (1) and the rear part (2) forming a fixing part (A), the other of the front part (1) and the rear part (2) forming a redirecting part (B); - a wire element (3) connecting the front part (1) and the rear part (2), the wire element (3) passing through a first right-hand hole (8') and a first left-hand hole (8") of the fixing part (A) and passing through a second right-hand hole (9') and a second left-hand hole (9") of the redirecting part (B), the wire element (3) being a textile wire element; - an adjustment device (4) disposed at least in the redirecting part (B) and configured to adjust an effective length of the wire element (3) and adjust a maximum distance between the front part (1) and the rear part (2);- a right obstacle (7') and a left obstacle (7") arranged in the return part (B) and bypassed by the wire element (3) to introduce changes of direction of the wire element (3), the wire element (3) extending predominantly in the longitudinal direction from the fixing part (A) to the right obstacle (7') and from the fixing part (A) to the left obstacle (7"); - a friction element (10) arranged between the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7") along the wire element (3) and introducing at least one change of direction of the wire element (3) between the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7"), the wire element (3) extending predominantly in the longitudinal direction from the right obstacle (7') and from the left obstacle (7") to the friction element (10);characterized in that the wire element (3) has a first end (3') and a second end (3") which are statically fixed respectively to a right attachment (6') and a left attachment (6") of the attachment part (A), the first end (3') and the second end (3") being independently and removably fixed to the right attachment (6') and the left attachment (6").

2. Cleat according to claim 1 wherein the front part (1) and the rear part (2) are alignable so that, simultaneously, the right attachment (6'), the first right hole (8'), the second right hole (9') and the right obstacle (7') define a first straight line and the left attachment (6"), the first left hole (8"), the second left hole (9") and the left obstacle (7") define a second straight line.

3. Crampon according to any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the first end (3') of the wire element (3) is terminated by a loop (3c) and the second end (3") of the wire element (3) is terminated by a loop (3c).

4. Crampon according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the adjustment device (4) comprises the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7") and wherein the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7") are arranged in depression relative to a plane intended to receive a shoe sole.

5. Crampon according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the right attachment (6') and the left attachment (6") are arranged under a plane intended to receive a shoe sole.

6. Crampon according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a first strand of the wire element (3) extends linearly or quasi-linearly from the right attachment (6') to the right obstacle (7') and wherein a second strand of the wire element extends linearly or quasi-linearly from the left attachment (6") to the left obstacle (7").

7. Method of using a crampon (1) comprising the following steps: - providing a crampon (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; - detaching the wire element (3) from the right attachment (6') and / or the left attachment (6") and separating the front part (1) and the rear part (2); - replacing at least one of the wire element (3), the front part (1) and the rear part (2);- independently attach a first end (3') of the wire element (3) to the right attachment (6') and a second end (3") of the wire element (3) to the left attachment (6"), the wire element (3) connecting the front part (1) with the rear part (2) by cooperating with the adjustment device (4), going around the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7"), the wire element (3) being in support against a friction element (10) introducing at least one change of direction of the wire element (3) between the right obstacle (7') and the left obstacle (7") along the wire element (3).;

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