U.S. patent application number 09/725548 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for interface element used in snowboarding.
Invention is credited to de France, Guillaume.
Application Number | 20010002083 09/725548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9552709 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
de France, Guillaume |
May 31, 2001 |
Interface element used in snowboarding
Abstract
Interface element used in snowboarding and intended to transmit
the pressure exerted by the foot of the rider in the direction of
the snowboard (1), said element having median longitudinal (5) and
transverse (6) planes dividing the pressure zone (3, 4) into four
quadrants (11-14), wherein two (11, 13) of the quadrants arranged
diagonally have a rigidity greater than the two other quadrants
(12, 14) so as to favor transmission of the pressure at the
diagonal of the two quadrants of greater rigidity, said diagonal
being intended to be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis of the board.
Inventors: |
de France, Guillaume;
(Tullins, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN & ROTHENBERG, PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
|
Family ID: |
9552709 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725548 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/607 ;
280/14.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0401 20130101;
A63C 10/14 20130101; A43B 5/0403 20130101; A63C 10/285 20130101;
A43B 5/0415 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/607 ;
280/14.21 |
International
Class: |
A63C 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 1999 |
FR |
99 15064 |
Claims
1. An interface element used in snowboarding and intended to
transmit the pressure exerted by the foot of the rider in the
direction of the snowboard (1), said element having median
longitudinal (5) and transverse (6) planes dividing the pressure
zone (3, 4) into four quadrants (11-14), wherein two (11, 13) of
the quadrants arranged diagonally have a rigidity greater than the
two other quadrants (12, 14) so as to favor transmission of the
pressure at the diagonal of the two quadrants of greater rigidity,
said diagonal being intended to be oriented substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board.
2. The element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is
formed by a spacer element (20) placed between the binding and the
upper face of the snowboard.
3. The element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spacer element
(20) has two plugs (21, 23) of greater rigidity than the remainder
of the element (20), which are incorporated into its structure in
the two quadrants arranged diagonally.
4. The element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spacer element
(50) has at least two protruding parts (51, 53) intended to be
embedded in complementary openings provided for this purpose in the
seat (52) of the binding.
5. The element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two protruding
parts (51, 53) form the zones of greater rigidity.
6. The element (30) as claimed in claim 2, which is suitable for
use in accordance with two different orientations of the foot
relative to the board, wherein said element has two series of four
quadrants (31-36), each series (31, 32, 33, 34; 31, 32, 35, 36)
being dedicated to one orientation of the foot relative to the
board and having quadrants (31, 33; 31, 36) of greater rigidity on
a diagonal (39) different from the diagonal (40) of greater
rigidity of the other series, the two series having two quadrants
(31, 32) in common.
7. The element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface element
is formed by protruding parts (71, 72) arranged in the seat (70) of
the binding and intended to make contact with the upper face of the
board in two zones situated perpendicularly relative to the
longitudinal axis of the board.
8. The element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is
formed at least in part by the sole (83) of the boot (89) of the
user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the area of sports such as skating,
skiing and surfing and, more precisely, to "snow surfing",
generally referred to as snowboarding. More particularly, it
relates to means intended to transmit the pressure exerted by the
foot of the rider in the direction of the board, said means being
designed to optimize the localization of the forces and the
behavior of the board.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] As is known, snowboard bindings are mounted on the snowboard
with a certain freedom of rotation, making it possible to adjust
the angle of the median longitudinal plane of the binding
corresponding to that of the foot, relative to the longitudinal
axis of the board.
[0003] To adopt the most ergonomic position possible, it may in
fact be necessary for the front and back foot to have a particular
orientation relative to the board.
[0004] The orientation of the front and back foot may differ and
may likewise vary depending on the type of method employed. Thus,
in the "free-style" method of snowboarding, the orientation of the
feet and therefore of the binding is further from the longitudinal
axis of the board than for the alpine method of snowboarding, in
which the feet are closer to the longitudinal axis of the
board.
[0005] Furthermore, there are two possible orientations for the
foot relative to the perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
board.
[0006] In fact, certain riders prefer to place their left foot
toward the front of the board. Riders who adopt this method are
referred to as "regular".
[0007] Conversely, certain riders prefer to place their right foot
toward the front of the board. Such riders are referred to as
"goofy". As the back foot is generally more perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the board than the front foot, it follows that
the angle of the binding may vary greatly depending on whether it
is used by a "goofy" or "regular" rider.
[0008] Furthermore, it has been observed that the forces are
generally exerted from the binding in the direction of the board
and localized essentially in the end zones of the binding,
corresponding to the front of the foot for "front side" curves and
the back of the foot on "back side" curves.
[0009] In other words, depending on the orientation of the binding
relative to the board, the forces are exerted in an offset manner
relative to the edges. The further the foot is from the
perpendicular, the more the pressure is exerted in a zone remote
from the edges and is thus less effective.
[0010] A first problem that the invention proposes to solve is that
of optimizing the localization of the pressure exerted from the
binding, whatever the orientation of the binding relative to the
longitudinal axis of the board.
[0011] Furthermore, in the most frequent case where the binding is
not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, the two
zones of transmission of the pressure from the binding toward the
board, which are situated at the front and back of the foot, are
offset longitudinally relative to the board. It follows that the
part of the binding situated between these two pressure zones has a
rigidity which is added to and combined with the intrinsic rigidity
of the board.
[0012] This combination has the effect of modifying the intrinsic
mechanical strength characteristics of the board and takes it away
from its theoretical behavior. Such a modification is prejudicial
to the board's resistance to the forces.
[0013] In particular, numerous cases have indeed been observed in
which the board has broken in the end zones of the binding due to
the occurrence of excessive stresses during bending of the
board.
[0014] Another problem which the invention proposes to solve is
that of loosening the binding relative to the board and reducing
the influence of the mechanical rigidity of the binding on the
intrinsic mechanical properties of the board.
[0015] It is therefore the object of the invention to allow
optimization of the pressure exerted on the binding in the
direction of the board while allowing a certain loosening of the
rigidity of the binding and the board and at the same time
retaining compatibility with the freedom of adjustment of the
orientation of the binding relative to the longitudinal axis of the
board in accordance with the different methods and different types
of user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention thus relates to an interface element used in
snowboarding and intended to transmit the pressure exerted by the
foot of the rider in the direction of the snowboard. Such an
element has median longitudinal and transverse planes dividing the
pressure zone into four quadrants.
[0017] This element is distinguished by the fact that two of the
quadrants arranged diagonally have a rigidity greater than the two
other quadrants so as to favor transmission of the pressure at the
diagonal of the two quadrants of greater rigidity.
[0018] In other words, on a snowboard fitted with the
characteristic interface element the pressure exerted by the user
is not localized along the median longitudinal plane of the boot
and of the binding but instead in a manner offset transversely.
[0019] The diagonal of the two quadrants of greater rigidity is
advantageously oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of
the board in such a way that the quadrants of greater rigidity are
close to the edges, improving the precision with which the board
can be guided.
[0020] In other words, in accordance with the invention the volume
enclosed between the foot of the user and the upper face of the
board has a rigidity which is distributed in such a way that the
pressure is transmitted preferentially in a direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the board.
[0021] Moreover, thanks to the characteristic interface element the
mechanical influence of the area of pressure on the board is
essentially limited to a reduced zone in the longitudinal direction
of the board to the two quadrants of greater rigidity. In this way,
the effect of the rigidity of the binding and of the members
associated with it is relatively small during the bending of the
board. The latter thus retains its intrinsic mechanical properties
and its optimum behavior.
[0022] In practice, numerous embodiments make it possible to obtain
a structure that favors pressure along the characteristic
diagonal.
[0023] Thus, according to a first group of embodiments, the
characteristic element can be formed by a spacer element placed
between the binding and the upper face of the snowboard. This is
then an interface plate intended to raise the binding. The rigidity
of this spacer element varies over its area and is greater along a
characteristic diagonal.
[0024] Thus, in a first variant, the spacer element can have two
plugs of greater rigidity than the remainder of the element, which
are incorporated into its structure in the two quadrants arranged
diagonally.
[0025] In this way, when the binding is arranged on this spacer
element, the forces exerted by the skier are essentially
transmitted in the zones of greater rigidity, while the zones of
lower rigidity deform and are compressed.
[0026] In another embodiment, the spacer element has at least two
protruding parts intended to be embedded in complementary openings
provided for this purpose in the seat of the binding.
[0027] In this way, the user's boot is in contact with the spacer
element in the two quadrants of greater rigidity, and the forces
are thus transmitted directly via the protruding parts.
[0028] According to another embodiment, the seat of the binding can
have protruding zones in the two quadrants of greater rigidity,
these protruding zones making contact with the upper face of the
board in two zones situated perpendicularly relative to the
longitudinal axis of the board.
[0029] To take account of the different orientations corresponding
to the "goofy" and "regular" methods, the same characteristic
interface element is suitable for use in accordance with the two
different orientations of the foot relative to the board, by being
turned around for example.
[0030] In another case under consideration allowing dual use, such
an element has two series of four quadrants, each series being
dedicated to one orientation of the foot relative to the board and
having quadrants of greater rigidity on a diagonal different from
the diagonal of greater rigidity of the other series, the two
series having two quadrants in common.
[0031] In other words, such an element has six elementary zones
intended to form quadrants, four of these zones being used in the
"regular" position and the two other zones being used with two of
the first in the "goofy" method.
[0032] In another embodiment, the interface element can be
incorporated directly into the sole of the user's boot, in which
case the sole of the boot has elements of greater rigidity arranged
on a diagonal passing through the median longitudinal plane of the
boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The way in which the invention is embodied and the
advantages which result will emerge clearly from the description of
the embodiments below with reference to the attached figures, in
which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a snowboard, on which the pressure
zones of the binding are represented in a schematic way.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a spacer plate corresponding to a
first method of implementing the invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a view in section in the plane III-III' in FIG.
2.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a spacer plate corresponding to a
variant implementation of the first embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a view in longitudinal section of a spacer plate
and of a binding seat corresponding to a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spacer plate in FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a view in longitudinal section of a seat and of a
snowboard in accordance with a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the seat of the binding in FIG.
7.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a boot
corresponding to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the boot in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] As already stated, the invention relates to interface
elements intended to transmit the pressure exerted by the foot of
the rider in the direction of the board in a preferential direction
corresponding substantially to a diagonal of the binding and
oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the board.
[0045] In this way, the pressure is exerted as close as possible to
the edges, increasing the precision with which the board can be
guided and, on the other hand, allowing a certain loosening of the
binding relative to the board.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the board (1) has a median
longitudinal axis (2) and two locations (3, 4), on which the
bindings intended to receive the boots of the user are mounted.
[0047] According to the invention, such pressure zones (3, 4) have
a median longitudinal plane (5) separating the binding of the boot
into two parts, left and right respectively.
[0048] This median longitudinal plane (5) generally deviates from
the perpendicular (7) to the median longitudinal axis (2) of the
board (1) for reasons of ergonomics. Thus, as already stated, this
angle can vary depending on whether the board is used for alpine
boarding or for a "free-style" method.
[0049] Moreover, the user will align his or her foot on one side or
the other of the perpendicular (7) to the longitudinal axis (8) of
the board (1), depending on whether he or she is "regular" (as
illustrated in FIG. 1) or "goofy".
[0050] According to one characteristic of the invention, the space
between the user's foot and the upper face of the board forms a
pressure zone (3, 4), which is divided into four quadrants (11-14)
along the longitudinal median plane (5) and the transverse median
plane (6).
[0051] According to one characteristic of the invention, two of
these four quadrants (11, 13) have a greater rigidity than the two
others (12, 14) and are arranged diagonally in such a way that they
are situated close to the edges (8, 9).
[0052] Such an arrangement thus allows the pressure to be
transmitted essentially close to the edges (8, 9), improving the
accuracy with which the board can be guided.
[0053] Moreover, the transmission of the pressure is essentially
concentrated in the two quadrants (11, 13) of greater rigidity,
which means that the two other quadrants (12, 14) allow a certain
latitude or a certain capacity for movement of the board relative
to the binding (1). By virtue of this characteristic, the stresses
exerted by the binding on the board (1) are relatively limited and
the binding is thus loosened relative to the board.
[0054] Numerous architectures and structures can be used to form
pressure zones in accordance with the invention, this forming the
subject matter of the four descriptions below.
FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the interface element can
take the form of a spacer element (20) placed between the binding
and the upper face of the board. Such an element (20) has
dimensions similar to those of the binding seat.
[0056] According to one characteristic of the invention, it has
zones (21, 23) of greater rigidity positioned on each side of the
median longitudinal (25) and transverse (26) planes.
[0057] More precisely, the spacer plate (20) illustrated in FIG. 2
has two zones (21, 23) formed by a material different from the
remainder (22, 24) of the plate and forming rigid plugs made of
thermoplastic material, e.g. polyurethane, polypropylene or
polyamide, while the remainder of the plate is formed by a material
such as a cellular foam, for example.
[0058] This plate can be manufactured by multi-injection or
thermocompression.
[0059] The plugs (21, 23) can be formed independently of the
remainder of the plate (20), which then forms receptacles (27),
which may or may not penetrate the plate, made for this purpose and
intended to receive the plugs (21, 23).
[0060] The geometry of the plugs (21, 23) and their positioning can
be optimized to obtain the best possible transmission of the forces
and is not limited to the form illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In one
variant, the plugs may not penetrate the flexible material
completely so as to enhance user comfort.
[0061] To allow the same interface element to be used for the two
boarding methods, namely "goofy" and "rregular", the interface
element (20) can be either symmetrical, as illustrated in FIG. 3,
to allow it to be turned around and provide zones of greater
rigidity in opposing quadrants or can have a more complex geometry,
as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0062] More precisely, in the case under consideration the
interface plate (30) has six quadrants (31-36), four (31-34) of
which correspond to a position (37) in which the diagonal (39) of
greater rigidity is oriented in a certain direction.
[0063] The other series of four quadrants (31, 32, 33, 36), which
shares the two central quadrants (31, 32) with the above series,
has a diagonal (40) of greater rigidity oriented in the opposite
direction. In this way, when the plate (30) is used in accordance
with one method, the binding is arranged above the four
corresponding quadrants while, when the plate (30) is used for a
binding arranged in accordance with the other method, the binding
is then mounted perpendicularly with respect to the other series
(38) of quadrants.
[0064] The remainder of the plate does not interfere with the
binding and does not prevent loosening.
SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the interface element can
be formed by a plate (50) arranged under the seat (52) of the
binding and having at least two protruding parts (51, 53) intended
to be embedded in the complementary openings (55) arranged in said
seat (52) for this purpose. For the purpose of simplification and
to avoid limitation to a single type of binding, only the seat has
been shown. It is self-evident that the invention applies to all
types of binding, such as that with a flexible or alpine shell,
whatever the means of retaining the boot in the binding.
[0066] More precisely, the protruding zones (51, 52) can be formed
by plugs similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 but with a
thickness markedly greater such that they appear at the upper face
(56) of the seat (52) on which the sole of the boot comes to
rest.
[0067] In this way, these protruding zones (51, 52) come into
direct contact with the sole of the boot and accept the pressure,
which they transmit directly in the direction of the board at the
characteristic diagonal (58).
[0068] In an embodiment which is not shown but is derived from that
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plate situated under the seat of
the binding has two additional protuberances, formed by a material
which is more compressible than that forming the rigid protruding
plugs, in such a way as to project into additional openings formed
in the seat.
[0069] In this embodiment, the various protruding zones can be
formed by added elements placed in a base plate comprising
receptacles so as to allow the arrangement of the plugs of greatest
rigidity to be modified, thus modifying the orientation of the
diagonal of greatest rigidity.
[0070] In this case, the geometry of the plugs and of the
corresponding receptacles in the base plate has a certain
symmetry.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interface element can
be formed by protuberances (71, 72) of the seat (70) of the binding
itself, and intended to form zones of contact between the seat (70)
and the board (1) proper.
[0072] In this way, the binding (70) rests on the board (1) only in
the two protruding zones (71, 72). The forces exerted by the user
are thus transmitted to the board exclusively in these zones of
contact (71, 72).
[0073] The space between the seat (70) and the upper face of the
board (1) can of course be filled with a compressible foam so as to
avoid the introduction of a wedge of snow under the seat of the
binding.
[0074] To allow the use of a binding featuring the characteristic
optimization of the transmission of the forces, provision can be
made for the seat of the binding to accept added pieces arranged on
one or other of the diagonals depending on the method practiced by
the user. Means of fixing the protruding elements on the seat are
then provided.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0075] Optimum transmission of the forces close to the edges, even
when the foot is inclined relative to the perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the board can likewise be achieved by
arrangements implemented within the user's boot itself.
[0076] More precisely, such a boot (80) can have two transverse
inserts (81, 82) at the front and rear of the sole (83) in the
manner of the boot (60) described in French patent application FR
98/15 088. In accordance with the invention, such inserts (81, 82)
can have increased rigidity on one side or the other of the median
longitudinal plane (85) of the boot.
[0077] More precisely, such inserts (81, 82) can be formed by a
material similar to the remainder of the sole (83) on one side
(86), while the other end (86) of the insert is formed by a more
rigid material. The opposite arrangement (87, 89) is used for the
opposite insert (82).
[0078] In a different embodiment, the inserts do not extend over
virtually the entire thickness of the sole but, on the contrary,
the sole (83) has localized zones exclusively at the characteristic
diagonal formed by plugs of greater rigidity.
[0079] Such plugs can be either incorporated within the sole formed
by molding or can be added to the underneath of the sole. These
plugs can be symmetrical to allow them to be turned around
according to whether the boot is used for the "goofy" or "regular"
method.
[0080] It will be evident from the above that the snowboarding
means in accordance with the invention have numerous advantages, in
particular:
[0081] .smallcircle. optimization of the localization of the forces
close to the edges, whatever the orientation of the foot relative
to the longitudinal axis of the board, enhancing steering and
accuracy;
[0082] .smallcircle. a certain loosening of the binding relative to
the ski, giving the board equipped with bindings its mechanical and
intrinsic properties;
* * * * *