Front shoe attachment with stop to help with putting on

Abstract

Front binding (1) for winter sports equipment comprising a binding base (B) and two clamping levers (2a, 2b) movable by rotation, said front binding (1) comprising at least one stop (4) movable in translation vertically between a deployed position and a retracted position, and further comprising a pushing member (5) separate from the stop (4), said pushing member (5) being connected to at least one clamping lever (2a, 2b) so that: - when said at least one clamping lever (2a, 2b) passes to its open position, said stop (4) is pushed by the pushing member (5), and - when said clamping lever (2a, 2b) passes to its locking position, the pushing member (5) releases said stop (4), the passage of the stop (4) from one position to the other being achieved by a pivoting of the shoe (C). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Front shoe attachment with stop to help with putting on

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bindings for a shoe for winter sports equipment and more particularly a front hiking binding. The winter sports equipment may in particular be a ski, a snowshoe or any type of equipment requiring a front part of a shoe to be fixed and capable of pivoting around said binding.

[0002] Nowadays, winter sports such as ski touring are increasingly popular with athletes and the number of participants continues to grow.

[0003] Ski touring is generally divided into two distinct phases, an ascent phase and a descent phase. In the ascent phase, the skis are equipped with a synthetic material "seal skin" which prevents the ski from rolling back. Touring skis have a special binding device which, in the ascent phase, allows the front of the boot to be fixed and allows it to pivot around a transverse axis. In the ascent phase, the heel of the boot is thus generally left free in order to exert an optimal thrust force during the ascent.

[0004] Front ski touring bindings generally comprise two clamping levers articulated around a longitudinal axis. These levers comprise lugs intended to cooperate with the front part of a ski touring boot. The two clamping levers are articulated by a mechanism comprising an elastic return device in order to occupy two stable positions. A first position, called clamping, corresponds to a configuration in which the lugs are tilted inwards and cooperate with housings arranged on the sides of the tip of the ski touring boot. This cooperation makes it possible to fix the boot by allowing only a rotational movement around an axis transverse to the ski touring and passing through said lugs.A second position, called open, corresponds to a configuration in which the tightening levers are spread apart so that the lugs release the boot which can then be separated from the touring ski.

[0005] In order to attach the touring boot to a touring ski equipped with such a front binding, the user must perform several steps. First, the user positions the front of his boot between the levers while the latter are apart, in the open position. Then, the user presses strongly with the front of the sole of his boot, on the elastic return device so that the levers tilt towards their tightening position. The boot is then attached to the front binding by the lugs which are housed in the corresponding recesses on the sides of the toe of the shoe.

[0006] However, this operation can present difficulties, in particular because it is necessary to properly align the lugs and the corresponding housings before pressing on the front binding in order to lock it. Indeed, it is necessary to present the shoe with its housings opposite the lugs with a certain precision, which can be complicated, in particular because of the small size of the lugs of the front stop as well as the corresponding hollow housings of the shoe.

[0007] In order to assist in the correct positioning of the shoe when binding, front bindings with stops are known. These stops can in particular be retractable so as not to hinder the pivoting of the shoe when climbing.

[0008] However, the design of these retractable stops is generally complex. These retractable stops generally pivot around a transverse axis placed in front of the levers carrying the lugs.

[0009] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved front binding for a shoe for winter sports equipment.

[0010] The present invention therefore relates to a front binding for a shoe of winter sports equipment, said front binding comprising a base for fixing to said winter sports equipment as well as two tightening levers arranged opposite each other and each comprising, at an external end, a lug intended to cooperate with a corresponding orifice arranged laterally on either side of the front end of the shoe, said tightening levers each being mounted pivoting about a longitudinal axis, said axes being arranged parallel and on either side of a central longitudinal axis of the front binding, said clamping levers being movable by rotation around their axis between: - an open position in which the external ends of the clamping levers are spread apart so that the lugs are disengaged from the holes in the shoe, and - a clamping position in which the outer ends are brought together so that the lugs are inserted into the holes in the shoe and form a transverse pivot axis for the shoe, said front attachment comprising at least one stop arranged at the front of the clamping levers, the at least one stop being movable in translation vertically relative to the base between: - a deployed position in which said stop is raised so that the front end of the shoe can come into contact with said stop and can block the forward longitudinal translational movements of said shoe, and in which the lugs are positioned opposite the holes in the shoe, and - a retracted position in which said stop is lowered so as to allow the shoe to pivot forward, said front attachment further comprising a thrust member separate from the stop, said thrust member being connected to at least one clamping lever so that: - when said at least one clamping lever moves from its clamping position to its open position, said stop is pushed by the thrust member into the deployed position and held by said thrust member in this position, and - when said clamping lever moves from its open position to its locking position, the pushing member releases said stop, the movement of the stop from its deployed position to its retracted position being achieved by pivoting the shoe towards the front.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping levers each comprise an internal end, opposite their external end, said internal ends joining vertically with the central longitudinal axis of the front binding, in the open position of the clamping levers, said internal ends being raised and in the clamping position of the clamping levers, said internal ends being lowered.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the pushing member is connected to an internal end of at least one clamping lever.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the thrust member is arranged between the internal ends of the clamping levers.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the thrust member comprises a cylindrical shaft extending in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis and arranged between the internal ends of the clamping levers, said internal ends being concave so as to form a housing for said cylindrical shaft.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the front attachment comprises an actuating lever extending longitudinally and pivoting around a transverse axis, said actuating lever comprising in particular a first end forming a fork in which the internal ends of the clamping levers are housed.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop comprises a transverse crosspiece on which the front end of the shoe is intended to come to abut in the deployed position of said stop and two vertical guide tabs projecting from said crosspiece and arranged on either side of the first end of the actuating lever, said guide tabs being inserted into vertical orifices provided within the base so that said guide tabs can slide in said orifices.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the first end of the actuating lever comprises an orifice vertical to the crosspiece of the stop, the thrust member comprising a finger passing through said orifice and intended to varnish on contact with the underside of said crosspiece so as to push said stop into the deployed position.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one guide lug comprises a locking shoulder at its end opposite the crosspiece, the orifice of the base comprising a rim on which said shoulder abuts so as to maintain said stop within the front binding in the deployed position.

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the drawings appended below.

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] shows a schematic perspective representation of a front fixing in open position,

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic representation from the side and in longitudinal section along a first section plane of the front attachment of [Fig.l] in the open position,

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a schematic representation from the side and in longitudinal section along a second section plane of the front attachment of [Fig.l] in the open position,

[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a schematic side representation of the front attachment of [Fig.l] in the open position,

[0024] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a schematic representation from the side and in longitudinal section along the first section plane of the front attachment of [Fig.l] in the locking position,

[0025] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a schematic representation from the side and in longitudinal section along the first section plane of the front binding of [Fig.l] in the locking position with a forward tilting of a shoe.

[0026] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0027] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0028] In the present description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as for example first element or second element as well as first parameter and second parameter or even first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present specifications. description. This indexing does not imply an order in time, for example, to assess this or that criterion.

[0029] In the present description, terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "high", "low", "front", "rear" are used. These terms must be interpreted relatively in relation to the normal position that the front binding occupies on winter sports equipment such as a ski, and the normal direction of advancement of the latter. The term "longitudinal" is thus understood in relation to the longitudinal axis of the ski and the term "front" corresponding to an orientation in the direction of the tip of the ski.

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a front binding 1 in particular for touring skis (not shown). The front binding 1 comprises a base B here made in the form of a plate which is in particular intended to be fixed on the top of the ski, for example by means of screws. The binding also comprises two clamping parts 2a and 2b, called clamping levers hereinafter, of general “L” shape. Each clamping lever 2a, 2b thus comprises two arms placed end to end and inclined relative to each other in order to give the “L” shape to the clamping lever 2a, 2b. The arms of the clamping levers 2a, 2b thus form an angle of between 75 and 110° for example and extend relatively perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis X of the front attachment 1. The clamping levers 2a, 2b are arranged opposite each other and pivotally articulated on associated bearings provided on the base B. Each clamping lever 2a, 2b is mounted to pivot about a longitudinal axis XI, X2.This articulation axis XI, X2 passes through the junction of the two arms of the clamping lever 2a, 2b. The two axes XI, X2 of the clamping levers 2a, 2b are in particular arranged parallel and on either side of a central longitudinal axis X of the front attachment 1.

[0031] Each clamping lever 2a, 2b also comprises at one end called the external end 21a, 21b a lug 23. By external end 21a, 21b is meant here the end of the upright arm of the clamping lever 2a, 2b and which is intended to come and attach to the side of the end of the shoe C (visible in figures 4 and 6). The lugs 23 are intended to cooperate with a corresponding orifice (not shown) arranged laterally on either side of the front end of the shoe C.

[0032] The pivoting of the clamping levers 2a, 2b allows movement of the lugs 23 in a direction substantially transverse to the front fixing 1 between: - an open position, visible in [Fig.l] as well as in figures 2 to 4, in which the external ends 21a, 21b of the clamping levers 2a, 2b are separated so that the lugs 23 are disengaged from the holes in the shoe, and

[0033] - a clamping position, visible in figures 5 and 6, in which the ends external lugs 21a, 21b are brought together so that the lugs 23 can be inserted into the holes in the shoe C. The lugs 23 then form an axis transverse pivoting of the shoe C.

[0034] The two clamping levers 2a, 2b are connected to each other at a second end 22a, 22b of the substantially horizontal arms. These second ends 22a, 22b are connected and articulated to each other. The substantially horizontal arms also comprise an elastic means 24, for example one or more springs 24 so as to allow a shortening of said substantially horizontal arms and to maintain the clamping levers 2a, 2b in the open or clamping position.

[0035] The internal ends 22a, 22b meet and are articulated together, in particular in line with the central longitudinal axis X of the front attachment 1. In the open position of the clamping levers 2a, 2b, the internal ends 22a, 22b are raised and in the clamping position of the clamping levers 2a, 2b, said internal ends 22a, 22b are lowered.

[0036] The front binding 1 also comprises an actuating lever 3 extending longitudinally and pivoting about a transverse axis Y1 with the base, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the front binding 1. This actuating lever 3 comprises in particular a first end forming a fork 31 in which the internal ends 22a, 22b of the tightening levers 2a, 2b are housed. The lowering of the internal ends 22a, 22b, for example when putting on the shoe and moving into the tightening position, thus also causes the actuating lever 3 to tilt.

[0037] Thus, an action on a second end of the actuating lever 3, opposite the fork 31, makes it possible to raise or lower the internal ends 22a, 22b. Thanks to this actuating lever 3, it is thus possible to move from the open position to the clamping position by raising the second end of the actuating lever 3. Conversely, it is also possible to move from the clamping position to the open position by pressing the second end of the actuating lever 3. However, in practice, the actuating lever 3 is not used to move to the clamping position because this is done by simply pressing the front of the shoe on the internal ends 22a, 22b of the clamping levers 2a, 2b.

[0038] The actuating lever 3 also comprises a locking lever 33 arranged opposite the fork 31 relative to the transverse axis Y1. The locking lever 33 is pivotally articulated about a transverse axis Y2 with the actuating lever 3. This locking lever 33 makes it possible in particular, in the tilted state and by resting on the base B or on the top of the ski, to block the pivoting of the actuating lever 3 and to maintain the front binding 1 in the clamping position.

[0039] When climbing, for example when ski touring, the front binding 1 grips the front end of the boot C. The heel of the boot C is free so that the boot C can pivot forward. The tightening lugs 2a, 2b are thus inserted into the corresponding lateral holes provided on the front of the shoe C to form a pivot axis for the front of the shoe for climbing. The pivot angle of shoe C may depend in particular on the inclination of the slope to be climbed. The normal pivot angle of shoe C during the ascent phase may, for example, be around 90° relative to the upper face of the ski.

[0040] In order to facilitate the engagement of the shoe C in the front binding 1, the latter further comprises at least one stop 4. This stop 4 is arranged at the front of the tightening levers 2a, 2b to block the forward translation along the longitudinal axis X of the shoe C when putting it on the front binding 1.

[0041] The at least one stop 4 is in particular mounted to move in translation vertically relative to the base B between: - a deployed position in which said stop 4 is raised, and - a retracted position in which said stop 4 is lowered.

[0042] In the deployed position of the stop 4, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the front end of the shoe C can come into contact with said stop 4 and block the forward longitudinal translation movements of said shoe C (visible in [Fig.4]). Blocking the forward translation of the shoe C allows the lugs 23 to be positioned opposite the holes in the shoe C.

[0043] In the retracted position of the stop 4, as illustrated in [Fig.6], the shoe can pivot, in particular forwards, around the axis formed with the lugs in the tightening position of the front binding 1 without the stop 4 hindering this pivoting.

[0044] The stop 4 may in particular comprise a transverse crosspiece 41 on which the front end of the shoe C is intended to come to abut in the deployed position of said stop 4. The stop 4 may also comprise two vertical guide tabs 42 projecting from said crosspiece 41 and arranged on either side of the first end 31 of the actuating lever 3. The guide tabs 42 may in particular be inserted into vertical orifices B1 provided within the base B so that said guide tabs 42 can slide in said orifices B1, as illustrated in the sectional view of [Fig.3].

[0045] Still according to [Fig.3], at least one guide lug 42 may include a locking shoulder 421 at its end opposite the crosspiece 4L. The orifice B1 of the base B may include a rim on which said shoulder 421 abuts so as to maintain the stop 4 within the front attachment 1 in the deployed position.

[0046] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the front attachment 1 further comprises a pushing member 5 separate from the stop 4 allowing it to move from its retracted position to its deployed position.

[0047] The pushing member 5 is in particular connected to at least one clamping lever 2a, 2b so that when said at least one clamping lever 2a, 2b passes from its clamping position to its open position, the stop 4 is pushed by the pushing member 5 in deployed position and held by said thrust member 5 in this position, as seen in more detail in the sectional view of [Fig.2].

[0048] When said at least one clamping lever 2a, 2b connected to the pushing member 5 passes from its open position to its locking position, the pushing member 5 releases said stop 4. The stop 4 is then free (see [Fig.5]) and the passage of the stop 4 from its deployed position to its retracted position is achieved by a forward pivoting of the shoe C (see [Fig.6]).

[0049] The thrust member 5 may in particular be connected to an internal end 22a, 22b of at least one clamping lever 2a, 2b. The lowering or raising of this internal end 22a, 22b thus also drives the thrust member 5 in a vertical translational movement.

[0050] As shown in [Fig.l], the thrust member 5 can in particular be arranged between the internal ends 22a, 22b of the clamping levers 2a, 2b, at the level of the articulation between these internal ends 22a, 22b.

[0051] The thrust member 5 may thus comprise a cylindrical shaft 51 extending in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis X and arranged between the internal ends 22a, 22b of the clamping levers 2a, 2b. The internal ends 22a, 22b then have a concave profile so as to form a housing for said cylindrical shaft 51. The shaft 51 of the thrust member 5 thus also plays the role of articulation between these internal ends 22a, 22b.

[0052] The thrust member 5 also comprises a finger 52 extending from its shaft 51. This finger 52 extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the shaft 51. The finger 52 is in particular intended to come into contact with the underside of said crosspiece 41 so as to push the stop 4 into the deployed position. The first end 31 of the actuating lever 3 may in particular comprise an orifice 34 vertical to the crosspiece 41 of the stop 4 in order to allow the finger 52 of the thrust member 5 to pass through.

Claims

Claims

1. Front binding (1) for a shoe (C) of winter sports equipment, said front binding (1) comprising a base (B) for fixing said winter sports equipment as well as two clamping levers (2a, 2b) arranged opposite each other and each comprising, at an external end (21a, 21b), a lug (23) intended to cooperate with a corresponding orifice arranged laterally on either side of the front end of the shoe (C), said clamping levers (2a, 2b) each being mounted pivoting about a longitudinal axis (XI, X2), said axes (XI, X2) being arranged parallel and on either side of a central longitudinal axis (X) of the front binding (1), said clamping levers (2a, 2b) being movable by rotation about their axis (XI, X2) between: - an open position in which the outer ends (21a, 21b) of the clamping levers (2a, 2b) are spread apart so that the lugs (23) are disengaged from the holes in the shoe (C), and - a clamping position in which the outer ends (21a, 21b) are brought together so that the lugs (23) are inserted into the holes in the shoe (C) and form a transverse pivot axis of the shoe (C), said front binding (1) comprising at least one stop (4) arranged in front of the clamping levers (2a, 2b), the at least one stop (4) being movable in translation vertically relative to the base (B) between: - a deployed position in which said stop (4) is raised so that the front end of the shoe (C) can come into contact with said stop (4) and can block the forward longitudinal translation movements of said shoe (C), and in which the lugs (23) are positioned opposite the holes in the shoe (C), and - a retracted position in which said stop (4) is lowered so as to allow the shoe to pivot forward (C),characterized in that said front attachment (1) further comprises a thrust member (5) separate from the stop (4), said thrust member (5) being connected to at least one clamping lever (2a, 2b) so that: - when said at least one clamping lever (2a, 2b) passes from its clamping position to its open position, said stop (4) is pushed by the thrust member (5) into the deployed position and held by said member, thrust (5) in this position, and - when said clamping lever (2a, 2b) passes from its open position to its locking position, the thrust member (5) releases said stop (4), the passage of the stop (4) from its deployed position to its retracted position being achieved by a forward pivoting of the shoe (C).

2. Front attachment (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamping levers (2a, 2b) each comprise an internal end (22a, 22b), opposite their external end (21a, 21b), said internal ends (22a, 22b) joining in line with the central longitudinal axis (X) of the front attachment (1), in the open position of the clamping levers (2a, 2b), said internal ends (22a, 22b) being raised and in the clamping position of the clamping levers (2a, 2b), said internal ends (22a, 22b) being lowered.

3. Front attachment (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thrust member (5) is connected to an internal end (22a, 22b) of at least one clamping lever (2a, 2b).

4. Front attachment (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thrust member (5) is arranged between the internal ends (22a, 22b) of the clamping levers (2a, 2b).

5. Front attachment (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the thrust member (5) comprises a cylindrical shaft (51) extending in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis (X) and arranged between the internal ends (22a, 22b) of the clamping levers (2a, 2b), said internal ends (22a, 22b) being concave so as to form a housing for said cylindrical shaft (51).

6. Front attachment (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the front attachment (1) comprises an actuating lever (3) extending longitudinally and pivoting about a transverse axis (Y 1), said actuating lever (3) comprises in particular a first end forming a fork (31) in which the internal ends (22a, 22b) of the clamping levers (2a, 2b) are housed.

7. Front binding (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stop (4) comprises a transverse crosspiece (41) on which the front end of the shoe (C) is intended to come to abut in the deployed position of said stop (4) and two vertical guide tabs (42) projecting from said crosspiece (41) and arranged on either side of the first end (31) of the actuating lever, (3) said tabs guide (42) being inserted into vertical orifices (Bl) provided within the base (B) so that said guide tabs (42) can slide in said orifices (Bl).

8. Front attachment (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first end (31) of the actuating lever (3) comprises an orifice (34) vertical to the crosspiece (41) of the stop (4), the pushing member (5) comprising a finger (52) passing through said orifice (34) and intended to come into contact with the underside of said crosspiece (41) so as to push said stop (4) into the deployed position.

9. Front attachment (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one guide tab (42) comprises a locking shoulder (421) at its end opposite the crosspiece (41), the orifice (B1) of the base (B) comprising a rim on which said shoulder (421) abuts so as to maintain said stop (4) within the front attachment (1) in the deployed position.

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