Device for adjusting the position of a shoe attachment 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) having a cavity having at least one first edge having teeth, called 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. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: figure 2;

Description

Title of the invention: Title of the invention

[0001] Device for adjusting the position of a shoe fastening element on a sliding or walking board. Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of a shoe fixing element on a sliding or walking board.

[0003] The invention applies more particularly to the adjustment of the position of the fastening element of a boot on a ski, in particular a piste ski. State of the art

[0004] As is known, a piste ski, also called an alpine ski, has a binding designed to receive the boot worn by the skier. Typically, the binding consists of a front binding element called the "toe piece" and a rear binding element commonly called the "heel piece".

[0005] To adapt the spacing between the toe piece and the heel piece and adjust it to the length of the boot, it is known to slide each binding element along the longitudinal direction of the ski.

[0006] To this end, as described in patent applications FR2833851, FR2877234 and FR3018698, the adjustment device uses a mechanism with two teeth that cooperate 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 locking position of the first part onto the second part, and an unlocking position in which the first part can slide relative to the second part.

[0007] In these prior mechanisms, the mechanical force applied against each fixing element is supported at least partially by the cooperation between the two teeth.

[0008] However, in the case where the fixing element is mainly made of a plastic material, particularly at the level of the two-tooth 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.

[0009] There is a need for a device to adjust the longitudinal position of a fastening 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

[0010] This objective 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, said straight teeth;The second part having teeth, called the 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 the 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.

[0011] This objective 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:

[0012] - the locking bar has a second lateral side, opposite its first lateral side, also equipped with teeth, called left-hand teeth.

[0013] - the right-hand teeth on the first lateral side of the locking bar and the teeth The left side of the second lateral side of the locking bar are not identical.

[0014] - the right-hand teeth on the first lateral side of the locking bar are higher that the left-hand teeth on the second lateral side of the locking bar.

[0015] - the cavity of the first part has a second edge, opposite to the first edge, equipped with a toothing, called upper left toothing, cooperating with the left toothing of the second lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar is in its locked position.

[0016] - the locking bar is mounted to rotate freely around an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction and in that it is stressed in torsion by a spring in its rotational movement.

[0017] - the first part and the second part are made of plastic material.

[0018] - the cavity of the first part has sufficient depth to allow a relative sliding between the first part and the second part when the locking bar is in the unlocked position.

[0019] - the first part comprises a lever mechanically coupled to the bar of locking and pivotable to engage a movement of the locking bar between its locked position and its unlocked position.

[0020] - the locking bar has an elongated shape with two flat surfaces opposites 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

[0021] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description that follows, given in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a sliding or walking board on which a front fixing element and a rear fixing element are mounted; - Fig. 2 shows, in exploded view, a fixing element for a sliding or walking board, equipped with the adjustment device of the invention; - Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the first part of the adjustment device of the invention; - Fig. 4 shows, in perspective, the top of the second part of the adjustment device of the invention; - Fig. 5 shows a detail of the first part, illustrating the embedding of the locking bar in the body of the first part of the device; - Fig. 6 shows in perspective the architecture of the locking bar used in the adjustment device of the invention;

[0022] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a sliding board P, of the ski or walking type, such as a snowshoe, on which is mounted a binding intended to attach a boot (not shown). In a known manner, the binding comprises a front attachment element, commonly called the "toe piece" F_AV, and a rear attachment element, commonly called the "heel piece" F_AR.

[0024] In the following description, the terms "front" and "rear" shall be understood by taking as a reference a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) extending along the length of the ski and oriented in the direction going from the heel piece F_AR to the toe piece F_AV. Similarly, the terms "upper" and "lower", or "top" and "bottom" should be understood by taking as a reference a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ski and oriented from the gliding face upwards.

[0025] 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.

[0026] In the attached figures, without limitation, the adjustment device is shown adapted to the heel piece F_AR.

[0027] In the following description, the adjustment device is however described in general terms, so that it can be adapted to each element of the fixing, front or rear.

[0028] In [Fig.2], for the sake of readability, the ski brake (present in [Fig.1]) is not shown. However, the lever for engaging / disengaging the boot on the rear binding element F_AR is illustrated.

[0029] In this application, the term "tooth" should be understood generally as any prominent shape capable of forming an adjustment step. It may thus be a pointed shape, truncated at the top, a notch, or any equivalent shape adapted to adjust a position and maintain said position securely by cooperating with a conjugate shape.

[0030] The adjustment device is arranged to allow adjustment of the relative longitudinal position between a first part 1 and a second part 2.

[0031] For the remainder of the description, a sliding plane is defined 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.

[0032] 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. In [Fig. 2], it can be seen that the second part 2 has a rail 22 and the first part 1 has a complementary shape 12 which slides into said rail 22.

[0033] 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;

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] By way of non-limitation, the locking bar 3 is for example carried by the first part 1.

[0037] 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.

[0038] To move from the locking position to the unlocking position, the locking bar 3 is thus actuated by rotating it around its axis (A), going against the mechanical force exerted by the torsion spring 4.

[0039] With reference to [Fig.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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Advantageously, the second lateral face 31 of the locking bar also has a second toothing, called left toothing 310, composed of several identical juxtaposed teeth.

[0042] 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.

[0043] When the locking bar 3 is in its locked position, the teeth are oriented outwards with respect 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.

[0044] During the rotation of the locking bar 3 from its locked position to its unlocked position, against the force exerted by the spring 4, one of the two teeth are turned upwards and the other teeth are turned downwards.

[0045] Advantageously, as illustrated by [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6], the two teeth are not symmetrical. Not to limit and advantageously, the right-hand teeth 300 are thus formed higher than the left-hand teeth 310.

[0046] By way of non-limitation, it is also possible to provide that one of the two teeth is deeper than the other.

[0047] By way of non-limitation, the locking bar 3 is in the form of an elongated piece along its axis of rotation (A), this piece 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 opposite flats 32 (only one visible on [Fig.6]) forming two junction faces between the teeth.

[0048] To rotate the locking bar 3 between its two positions, the device advantageously includes a lever (not visible in the accompanying figures) in direct mechanical connection with 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. By rotating the lever, the locking bar 3 is actuated in rotation.

[0049] According to the invention, the body 10 of the first part 1 has a cavity on its lower face into which the locking bar 3 is partially fitted. By partial fitting, it is understood 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 conjugate tooth, referred to as the upper right-hand tooth 100, and with a second conjugate tooth, referred to as the upper left-hand tooth 110, these two teeth being present on the body 1 of the first part 1 and 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-hand tooth 300 and left-hand tooth 310 are released respectively from the corresponding upper right-hand tooth 100 and upper left-hand tooth 110 of the body 10 of the first part 1. In the case of circular teeth, these may remain in contact.

[0050] According to the invention, with reference to [Fig. 4], the second part 2 comprises 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 the second part 2 has a longitudinal guide groove 21 and a clearance space for the rotation of the locking bar.

[0051] According to the invention, the groove 21 thus comprises two opposing longitudinal edges, designated first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge.

[0052] The first longitudinal edge and / or the second longitudinal edge is provided with a first tooth, referred to as the lower right tooth 200, and a second tooth, 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.

[0053] Advantageously, each longitudinal edge of the groove 21 has a distinct toothing.

[0054] Naturally, the tooth or teeth of the lower right 200 and lower left 210 of the second part 2 have a shape conjugate to 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, 210 are advantageously non-identical and non-symmetrical, in order to cooperate with the corresponding teeth of the locking bar 3.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In operation, the principle is as follows: - The body 10 of the first part 1 is engaged in 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 tooth 300 and the left tooth 310 from the locking bar of the upper right tooth 200, and of the upper left tooth 210 from the groove 21 of the second part 2. The left tooth 310 (the shorter one to save space) is 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 is chosen relative to the second part 2, the lever is released. The spring 4 returns the bar to locking 3 towards its locking 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 dentures is achieved in such a way that the facets of the teeth of one denture come to rest against the facets of the corresponding dentition.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Advantageously, the device is designed so that in the locked position, the teeth 100 and 110 are very close to the teeth 200 and 210. This allows the forces to be well distributed over a maximum surface area of ​​the 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.

[0059] By way of non-limitation, the second part 2 is for example fixed to the board P by any suitable means and the first part 1 is mobile in longitudinal sliding relative to the second part 2.

[0060] 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 has the advantage of being perfectly suited to the use of these materials, being more robust and stronger against mechanical stresses. 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

Demands

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 straight teeth (300), - said second part (2) having teeth, referred to as lower straight teeth (200),said straight teeth (300) of the locking bar (3) cooperating with the lower straight 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 straight teeth (100) cooperating with the straight teeth (300) of the first lateral side of the locking bar when the locking bar (3) is in its locking position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking bar (3) has a second lateral side, opposite its first lateral side, also provided with teeth, called left teeth (310).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the straight teeth (300) of 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.

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

5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the cavity of the first part (1) has a second edge, opposite to 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.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking bar (3) is mounted movable in rotation about an axis (A) parallel to a longitudinal direction and in that it is stressed in torsion by a spring (4) in its rotational movement.

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

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the 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.

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

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking bar (3) has an elongated shape having two opposing flats (32) forming two planes parallel to the sliding plane and carrying on two transverse planes each tooth of said locking bar.

11. A fastening element (F_AV, F_AR) for a shoe on a board (P) for gliding or walking, characterized in that it comprises a adjustment device as defined in one of the preceding claims.

Images