U.S. patent application number 09/769461 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for assembly for retaining a boot on an apparatus for gliding or walking on snow or ice.
This patent application is currently assigned to S.A., SALOMON. Invention is credited to Merino, Jean-Francois, Rigal, Jean-Pierre.
Application Number | 20010010422 09/769461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8846549 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merino, Jean-Francois ; et
al. |
August 2, 2001 |
Assembly for retaining a boot on an apparatus for gliding or
walking on snow or ice
Abstract
An assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking
apparatus including a boot and an interface device provided to
receive the boot, and to be assembled to the gliding apparatus, the
device having an elongated base defining a longitudinal direction
provided to support the boot and having, in its upper portion, a
device for retaining the boot, and in its lower portion, a device
for assembly to the gliding apparatus. The retaining device of the
assembly includes retaining members, located along a direction
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base, or set back
with respect to the ends of the base along a longitudinal
direction, which cooperate with complementary members for attaching
the boot, and the assembly device including a non-releasable
release mechanism with automatic return.
Inventors: |
Merino, Jean-Francois;
(Epagny, FR) ; Rigal, Jean-Pierre; (La Balme De
Sillingy, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN
1941 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
|
Assignee: |
S.A., SALOMON
Metzz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
8846549 |
Appl. No.: |
09/769461 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/624 ;
280/607 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 10/145 20130101;
A63C 10/18 20130101; A63C 10/12 20130101; A63C 10/103 20130101;
A43B 5/0423 20130101; A43B 5/0403 20130101; A43B 5/0496 20130101;
A63C 10/285 20130101; A63C 10/10 20130101; A63C 10/106 20130101;
A43B 5/0417 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/624 ;
280/607 |
International
Class: |
A63C 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2000 |
FR |
00 01266 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking
apparatus, said assembly comprising: a boot; and an interface
device adapted to receive the boot and to be assembled to the
gliding or walking apparatus, the device including an elongated
base, extending in a longitudinal direction, said base being
adapted to support said boot and comprising, in an upper portion, a
device for retaining the boot and, in a lower portion, a device for
assembly to the gliding apparatus, said retaining device comprising
retaining members, located along a direction transverse to said
longitudinal direction of said base, or set back with respect to
the ends of the base along a longitudinal direction, said retaining
members being structured to cooperate with complementary members
for attaching said boot, said assembly device including a
non-releasable release mechanism with automatic return.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said assembly device
includes at least one cable connecting said base to the ski, said
cable unwinds against the return force of a spring.
3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein: a transverse cradle
is affixedly attached to said base; and said cradle has lateral
flanks that carry said retaining members of said boot.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said boot comprises a
sole and has a second attaching member on a front of said sole; and
said base has, on the front, a second retaining member provided to
cooperate with the second attaching member.
5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said boot attaching
members include two sliding bolts or rods or pins that are movable
between a projecting position with respect to edges of a sole of
said boot and a retracted position.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein: a spring is provided
to draw the sliding bolts, rods or pins in the retracted position;
and a lever maintains the sliding bolts, rods or pins in a
projecting stable position.
7. An interface device for the assembly for retaining a boot on a
gliding or walking apparatus as defined in claim 1, said interface
device comprising: a base provided to receive said boot, said base
having, in an upper portion, attaching members oriented
transversely provided to cooperate with said boot and, in a lower
portion, a device for assembly to the ski with a detachable but
non-releasable release mechanism and with automatic return.
8. An interface device according to claim 7, wherein: said base is
pivotally mounted on a pivot provided with two flat portions
against which springs are in support.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly for retaining a
boot on an apparatus for gliding or walking on snow or ice. The
invention also relates to a boot and an interface device for
retaining the boot on a gliding or walking apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0004] There are numerous gliding or walking activities that take
place on snow. Among them, skiing, cross-country skiing,
snowboarding, back country skiing, or snowshoeing, and walking with
crampons are known. There are also other intermediate activities
between these various practices. Beyond these activities, it is
also necessary to enable the user to simply walk under acceptable
conditions of comfort and adherence.
[0005] Generally speaking, each of these activities requires gear
that includes a pair of boots, a gliding apparatus including one or
two elements, as needed, and an assembly for retaining the boots on
the gliding apparatus.
[0006] Each activity has so far required gear developed
specifically for the activity involved. In particular, for each
activity, a user must have a pair of special boots, and he/she must
use different boots for each different activity. However, the
activities are becoming diversified, i.e., during a single outing
in the mountains, or during a single period of time, an average
user might be tempted to engage in various walking or gliding
activities. For each of these activities, the user must change his
gear, namely, at least the boots and the gliding or walking
apparatus, which proves unpractical for both the user and for the
equipment lender.
[0007] Attempts have been made to allow the use of the same pair of
boots for various activities. Thus, a retaining assembly for
snowboards is known, for example, from the patent applications EP
712 646 and EP 719 505, which include a boot having an attachment
insert beneath the sole, and a device for retaining the insert
provided to be fixed on the snowboard. The retaining device enables
an automatic attachment of the boot, and a lateral lever ensures
its voluntary release.
[0008] This assembly, initially provided for a snowboard, has been
proposed for mounting on a short ski or a snowshoe, which makes it
possible to practice these activities with the same pair of boots.
However, for skiing, this assembly is not provided to ensure the
release of the boot in the case of an excessive force.
[0009] More recently, the patent application EP 956 886 discloses
an interface device making it possible to alpine ski or snowboard
with a flexible boot.
[0010] This device is adapted to cooperate with a boot having, in
the sole, a longitudinal groove in which a rib is nested. The
attachment of the boot is accomplished by transverse rods located
in the groove of the boot, which penetrate into notches made in the
rib and are retained by a latching device. Various interface
devices are described for use of the boot on an alpine ski or a
snowboard. For use on a ski, the interface device has retaining
end-pieces of a conventional type at the front and rear, which have
the same shape as the end-pieces used for traditional ski
boots.
[0011] This assembly is not completely satisfactory insofar as it
requires two different engaging maneuvers for skiing, namely,
engaging the boot on the attachment device and engaging the
interface device in the ski retaining elements. Moreover, in the
case of a fall, the interface device is completely released from
the ski and remains attached to the boot. Therefore, there are two
possible configurations for using the boot, depending upon whether
or not the interface device is attached to the boot.
[0012] Furthermore, the method for attaching the boot to the
interface device imposes constructional constraints that modify the
boot performances for the various gliding or walking activities for
which this boot could be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An object of the invention is to propose an improved
retaining assembly that enables the use, for skiing, of a boot
allowing to practice at least one activity other than skiing, with
the possibility of releasing the boot retained on the ski in the
case of an excessive force.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to propose an improved
retaining assembly for which the specific arrangement for attaching
the boot preserves its performances as much as possible for the
various activities for which it is provided.
[0015] Still another object of the invention is to propose an
improved retaining assembly that simplifies the operations of
adjusting the various gliding apparatuses on which it is adapted to
be mounted, in particular the operations of adapting the apparatus
to the size of the user's feet.
[0016] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the description that follows.
[0017] The assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking
apparatus according to the invention includes a boot and an
interface device provided to receive the boot and to be assembled
to the gliding apparatus, the device having an elongated base
defining a longitudinal direction provided to support the boot and
having, in its upper portion, a device for retaining the boot, and
its lower portion, a device for assembly to the gliding
apparatus.
[0018] The retaining device of the assembly includes retaining
members, located along a direction transverse to the longitudinal
direction of the base or set back with respect to the ends of the
base along a longitudinal direction, which cooperate with
complementary members for attaching the boot, and the assembly
device includes a non-releasable type release mechanism with
automatic return.
[0019] Thus, the boot is attached to the base along a lateral grip,
or a longitudinal grip within the contour of the sole, the position
of the attaching and retaining members is in the center of the boot
sole. The size of the members is determined as a function of the
boot of smaller size so that the attaching and retaining members
are independent of the size of the boot.
[0020] Moreover, this allows much freedom as for the boot design,
in particular with respect to the sole flexibility.
[0021] At the lower level, the linkage between the interface device
is detachable but non-releasable. This means that in the case of a
fall, the base is separated from the ski, which relieves the
skier's leg of the stresses generated by the ski, but the boot is
not completely released from the ski, i.e., the release mechanism
maintains a linkage between the board and the base at all times.
The automatic return facilitates the repositioning of the base
against the ski once the skier regains control of his position and
movements. Since the base remains attached to the ski in all
circumstances, fitting the apparatus requires only one operation of
engaging the boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will be better understood from the description
that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a retaining assembly according to a
non-limiting example of embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the arrangement for
attaching the boot to the base of the interface device.
[0025] FIG. 3 schematically shows the voluntary release mechanism
of the attaching arrangement.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows an alternative construction of this
mechanism.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the arrangement for retaining the base on the
ski.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows the mechanism for releasing the base with
respect to the ski.
[0029] FIG. 7 relates to an alternative embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows another alternative embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a top view of the base of FIG. 9.
[0033] FIGS. 11-16 relate to alternative embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a portion of the ski 1 overlaid by an interface
device 2 which is itself provided for a boot 3. For clarification,
FIG. 1 shows the boot 3 raised in relation to the interface
device.
[0035] According to the embodiment shown, the boot is a flexible
boot of the snowboard boot type. Usually, such a boot includes an
outer shell or envelope 4 and an inner liner not completely shown
in the figure. The outer envelope is tightened around the user's
foot, for example, by a lace 6 and a tightening strap 7 which
passes toward the instep. In a known manner, the liner is also
equipped with a tightening lace.
[0036] Possibly, the rear portion of the envelope is reinforced by
a rigid or semi-rigid plate 8 that is integrated into the lining of
the envelope. Such a plate is described in the published patent
application No. EP 646 334.
[0037] The envelope 4 further has a sole 10. This sole is provided
for walking under comfortable conditions. It is preferably
flexible, with rounded front and rear edges, and its lower contact
surface is provided at least locally with notches, serrations, or
any other raised structures adapted to improve the adherence of the
sole on the ground. For example, the sole is made of elastomer.
[0038] The boot further has an attaching member that is provided to
cooperate with the retaining members of the interface device, in
order to keep the boot attached to the interface device.
[0039] According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the attaching
arrangement is are located toward the center of the boot sole, on
the sides. Generally, they are located on the lateral edges of the
sole, in the area of the plantar arch.
[0040] It has been found that this location enables the boot to be
attached, not only to an interface device provided for skiing, as
the one that will be described subsequently, but also to other
interface devices provided for other activities such as
snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc.
[0041] Preferably, the attaching and retaining arrangements
cooperate with one another so as to ensure a mutual automatic
engagement.
[0042] In the embodiment shown, the attaching arrangement includes
two elements 14 and 15 projecting with respect to the lateral walls
16a, 16b, respectively, of a box 18 affixedly attached to the boot
sole. The box has the general shape of a parallelepiped rectangle.
It is housed in a recess of the sole located in its median portion,
between the front and rear zones 11 and 12. However, the box is set
back with respect to the relief of the front and rear zones. Each
of the elements 14 and 15 are shaped like a sliding bolt, with a
beveled lower surface that facilitates the engaging of the boot and
a substantially horizontal upper surface. The width of the box 16
is close to, or preferably slightly less than, the width of the
boot sole in its median portion, such that by projecting with
respect to the lateral walls of the box, the sliding bolts also
project with respect to the lateral edges of the sole.
[0043] The retaining members of the interface device consist of two
openings 18, 19 provided in the lateral walls 20a, 20b of a
transverse cradle 20 attached affixedly to the interface device.
The openings have a rectangular shape, whose dimensions correspond
substantially to the sectional dimensions of the sliding bolts 14
and 15.
[0044] The distance between the lateral walls corresponds to the
width of the box except for the operational clearance. As shown in
FIG. 2, the lateral walls 20a, 20b of the cradle can be slightly
widened outwardly; moreover, they can have a trapezoidal shape
narrowing toward the top which cooperates with ramps projecting
with respect to the lateral walls of the box to facilitate the
centering of the boot in relation to the transverse cradle and the
engaging of the sliding bolts in the openings 18 and 19.
[0045] The two sliding bolts can be retracted within the box 18. As
shown in FIG. 3, for example, the sliding bolts 14, 15 are guided
slidingly in the lateral walls 16a and 16b of the box; a spring 25
elastically opposes their entry into the box and keeps them
projecting from the box 16.
[0046] To cause the voluntary retraction of the sliding bolts 14,
15, especially to cause the voluntary release of the boot, the
sliding bolts are connected by a connecting rod system to a cable
23 and finally to a lever 24 located on the rear of the boot. The
rotation of the lever away from the boot causes the temporary
retraction of the sliding bolts subsequent to a sliding of the
cable in its sheath. It is contemplated that other constructions
could also be suited for this purpose. In particular, the lever 24
could be located, not on the rear, but on the side of the boot.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows an alternative construction. The two sliding
bolts are here drawn in the retracted position within the box by a
traction spring 27. Two connecting rods 37 are connected to the
sliding bolts, and the end of a cable 27 is secured to their common
journal point. The cable is maneuvered by a knuckle joint lever 28
that is mounted on the boot upper. In the position shown in FIG. 4,
the lever forces the sliding bolts to remain in projection. The
boot is retained on the base with this position of the lever. If
the lever is pivoted downwardly, the sliding bolts are drawn within
the box by the spring. The boot is then released from the base.
Other constructions are also suitable according to the
invention.
[0048] The interface device 2 that is provided to cooperate with
the boot includes an elongated base 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and
6. The upper surface of the base substantially has the length and
width dimensions of a large sized boot. According to the embodiment
shown, two cushions 31, 32 for supporting the front and rear ends
of the boot are located toward the front and rear of the surface of
the base 30, as shown in FIG. 1. These cushions are made of
elastomer, for example. Possibly, their thickness can be varied to
conform to the shape of the boot sole. By cooperating with the
front and rear zones of the sole, they create an elastic suspension
that facilitates the positioning of the boot and ensures a vertical
backlash elimination. The transverse cradle 20 that has been
described previously is fixed between the cushions.
[0049] The interface device 2 is adapted to receive boots of
various sizes without it being necessary to make an adjustment with
respect to the length or width of the sole.
[0050] The base 30 is connected to the ski by a linkage having a
detachable but non-releasable release mechanism and, preferably, an
automatic return.
[0051] In other words, in the case of excessive force, the base 30
is adapted to separate from the board 1 so as to relieve the user's
leg of the stress that generated the release. However, the base is
not completely released from the board, i.e., the base and the ski
remain connected to one another by a linkage that is preferably
retractable, i.e., which returns the ski against the base once the
skier has regained control of his/her position and movements.
[0052] Such a release mechanism has been described, for example, in
the patent publication FR 2 224 183 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,682,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference
thereto in their entireties for that purpose. With respect to the
invention, such a mechanism has the advantage that the complete
release of the boot can occur only between the boot itself and the
base. For example, the user could not walk with the base attached
to the boot. Therefore, there is a certain flexibility of use.
Moreover, the release mechanism makes it possible, in the case of a
fall, to considerably alleviate the stresses between the user's leg
and the ski, when they become substantial.
[0053] According to the embodiment shown, the base 30 rests on the
gliding board via two blocks 33a and 33b located on its lower
surface. It is connected to the board of the ski 1 by a cable 34.
The front and rear ends 34a, 34b of the cable are attached to front
and rear abutments 35 and 36 assembled affixedly to the ski. Two
recesses 38 and 39 in the lower portion of the base are used to
house the front and rear abutments. The housings open up
transversely to enable the base to displace laterally with respect
to the abutments.
[0054] Preferably, the front abutment 35 includes a turret 35a
rotating about a vertical axis, and the cable emerges from the base
in the horizontal plane of the turret. The base has a cable return
on the rear, and the end of the cable emerges vertically above the
abutment.
[0055] Within the base, the cable 34 circulates between successive
returns. The returns are mounted on two loosely mounted facing
supports 41, 42. A set of springs 44 elastically oppose the coming
together of the supports 41 and 42.
[0056] In the case of an excessive force, the stresses are
transmitted to the cable 34 and to the set of springs 44. The
coming together of the two supports enables the cable to unwind out
of the base, at the front and/or the rear; the base can then move
away from the ski relative to the abutments, in the direction along
which it is driven by the stress.
[0057] FIG. 6 schematically shows the base carrying the boot
separated from the ski along a substantially perpendicular
direction. However, this is not limiting, and other spacing
directions are also possible as a function of the direction of the
stress that generated the release.
[0058] As soon as the force diminishes, the supports retract the
cable by moving away from one another, which brings the base back
in the centered position on the ski.
[0059] The release mechanism that has just been described is not
limiting, and there are other possible constructions according to
the invention. In particular, the supports and the set of springs
have a linear or quasi-linear release characteristic. One could
adopt other mechanisms for unwinding the cable, where the force
necessary for unwinding the cable diminishes as the cable unwinds,
by playing on the lever arms, as has been described in FR 2 224 183
and U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,682.
[0060] Furthermore, the front abutment could cooperate with the
base via support surfaces so as to create a meshing effect in the
case of a lateral force.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0062] According to this variation, the boot sole is equipped with
two attachment members of different types.
[0063] On the front, a transverse rod 51 affixedly assembled to the
sole is located in a recess 50 of the sole. The rod is provided to
engage on a hook 52 located on the upper surface of the base
49.
[0064] On the rear, the sole is equipped with a box 53 similar to
the previously described box, with its retractable sliding bolts 54
provided to engage in the boring 55 of a transverse cradle 56
assembled affixedly to the upper surface of the base.
[0065] The main difference with the previous embodiment is that the
engaging of the boot occurs in two steps; in a first step, the rod
51 is engaged in the hook 52, the boot sole being slightly oblique
with respect to the base. In a second step, the sliding bolts are
engaged in the openings of the cradle 56. Preferably, the distance
between the rod 52 and the box 53 is constant so that boots of
different sizes can be mounted on the base without a need to make
an adjustment relative to the length of the boot.
[0066] At the lower level, the base is connected to the ski by a
detachable but non-releasable release mechanism, as previously
described.
[0067] This embodiment is interesting insofar as the front rod 52
can be used alone as a member for hooking the boot with, for
example, a cross-country ski binding where the boot sole is
connected to the ski via a journal located on the front.
[0068] In the case of such an activity, the rear sliding bolts
would remain inactive.
[0069] Conversely, one could provide that the rod 52 be inactive
for skiing, and that the retaining of the boot on the base only be
ensured by the sliding bolts for this activity.
[0070] FIG. 8 shows the assembly of the invention as more
particularly adapted for an activity such as back country skiing or
off-trail cross-country skiing.
[0071] The boot is of the same type as the preceding boot, with a
transverse rod 60 housed in a recess 61 at the front of the sole. A
retaining element such as a cross-country ski binding 62 is
assembled to the upper surface of the base 59. In a known manner,
this element includes a sliding hook 63 provided to confine the rod
60 while allowing the rotation of the sole about the axis which it
defines, and an elastomeric block 64 provided to be compressed by
the front of the boot during the rotation of the sole.
[0072] On the rear, the attachment of the boot is done by means of
sliding bolts, as has been described previously. However, a
two-position lever 66 located on the rear or the side of the boot
upper makes it possible to selectively disengage or engage the
sliding bolts. In the disengaged position, the sliding bolts are
retracted within the box, they are inactive. This position is the
climbing position where the rear of the boot is free to be
raised.
[0073] In the engaged position, the sliding bolts project, and they
ensure the retention of the boot when they are engaged in the
openings of the cradle. This position corresponds to the descending
position.
[0074] According to the embodiment shown, the base is connected to
the ski by a detachable but non-releasable release mechanism,
similar to that described previously.
[0075] FIGS. 9 and 10 relate to a retaining assembly more
particularly adapted for snowboarding.
[0076] According to the embodiment shown, the boot attaching
members are of the same type as that which has been described in
the first embodiment. They include retractable sliding bolts 71
mounted in a box 70, which is itself affixedly attached beneath the
boot sole. The base 73 has a transverse cradle 75 with openings 76
in which the sliding bolts can engage. The base rests on the
sliding board via blocks 78 and 79 located at the lower surface of
the base.
[0077] A central block 80 is provided to be affixedly attached to
the board. Preferably, the central block has two steps connected
affixedly to one another by a screw. The lower step 80a is fixed to
the board, the upper step 80b is adjustable in orientation with
respect to the lower step. Possibly, notches or any other
construction can be provided between the two steps to ensure their
cohesion once the orientation has been adjusted.
[0078] A cable 81 connects the base and the central block, in the
manner of that which has been described previously. The cable reel
is located either toward the front and rear ends of the base, or in
the central block. The fastening points of the cable are located
along the longitudinal axis define by the boot. They could also be
oriented differently.
[0079] The attaching and retaining members of the boot that have
been described are not limiting. In particular, rather than being
attached to the boot, the lever or member that enables the release
of the boot could be associated with the base. To illustrate this,
FIG. 11 schematically shows a boot having, in its median portion,
two pins 83 projecting with respect to the lateral edges of the
sole. These pins are, for example, the ends of a transverse rod
nested in the sole. In this case, the retaining elements of the
base include a U-shaped cradle whose flanges 84 have notches 85
provided to receive the pins. Self-closing cams 86 are located at
the inlet of the notches. They are movably mounted about a
transverse axle, and are returned in the closure position, for
example, by a spring. A lever (not shown) makes it possible to
voluntarily pivot the cams to clear the openings of the
notches.
[0080] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment. The boot includes
two series of transverse pins 90 and 91 projecting with respect to
the lateral edges of the sole. The pins are located toward the
front and the rear of the sole; however, their distance is constant
for the various boot sizes.
[0081] The retaining members are two cradles 92 and 93 with flanges
provided with notches and self-closing cams. The opening of the
cams can be synchronized.
[0082] According to FIG. 13, the boot includes, on each side and
toward the middle of the sole, two hollow recesses 98 which each
cooperate with a finger 99 hingedly mounted with respect to the
base. The finger 99 penetrates into the recess 98 in the manner of
a gear tooth, and a locking mechanism, not shown, locks the finger
in its closed position where it retains the boot.
[0083] According to FIG. 14, the boot attaching members are no
longer on the lateral edges of the sole but beneath the sole,
within its contour. These members include, on the front of the
sole, a small plate 101 attached affixedly to the sole with a
finger 102 projecting on the front, and on the rear, a transverse
small bar 104 with a U-shaped cutout. The finger and the small bar
are cleared from the boot sole; for example, the sole has a recess
toward these elements.
[0084] On the base, a bridge-like element is provided toward the
front as a member for retaining the finger, and on the rear, a
tilting finger 107 engages the small bar 104 to ensure its locking
toward the top. These two elements are substantially set back with
respect to the ends of the base. A lever 108 located on the edge of
the base enables the tilting of the finger 107 so that it releases
the small bar 104. Upon engagement of the boot, the central portion
of the small bar is inclined and acts as a ramp on the finger so as
to cause its automatic engagement.
[0085] Such attachment methods are known in the field of
snowboarding. One of their advantages is that they enable the
automatic engaging of the boot. Another advantage is that they do
not require any particular adjustment with respect to the boot
size.
[0086] The cable release mechanism that has been described is not
limiting, and other mechanisms could be used.
[0087] To illustrate this, FIGS. 15 and 16 show a base 115 that is
pivotally mounted about a vertical pivot 116 affixedly connected to
the ski.
[0088] On the front and rear, the pivot 116 has two flat portions
116a and 116b.
[0089] Pistons 117 and 118 housed and guided in recesses 119 and
120 of the base are in support against the flat portions, under the
thrust of two sets of springs 121 and 122. Screws 123 and 124 make
it possible to adjust the initial stress of the springs.
[0090] At rest, the base 115 is maintained in the axis of the ski.
In the case of a torsional bias whose moment applied to the base is
greater than the return moment induced by the springs, the base
pivots about the pivot. When the torsional bias is reduced, the
springs bring the plate back in its resting position aligned on the
ski.
[0091] Alternative constructions could be adopted. For example, the
springs could be housed in a fixed box on the ski, and the pivot
could be affixed to the base.
[0092] Other modes of construction of the release mechanism could
also be used.
[0093] Finally, the object of the invention is to associate these
attaching and retaining elements to an interface device with the
ski, which is disengageable, non-releasable, and has an automatic
reengagement. The advantage of such a system is to enable the
separation and offset of the base and the ski in certain cases of
excessive biases. However, the base is capable of repositioning
itself on the ski without the skier having to maneuver a lever or
other mechanism.
[0094] Furthermore, the boot that has been described in its various
embodiments can be associated with other interface devices, which
have retaining members provided to cooperate with the boot hooking
members, and which are not equipped with a release mechanism such
as that which has been described. This means that the same boot
involved can be used for various activities, each of them using a
different interface device, but with retaining members that are
compatible with the boot hooking members. The interface device that
has been described with its release mechanism is more particularly
adapted to skiing, or to the practice of a walking or gliding
activity where the boot is required to be capable of separating
temporarily from the gliding apparatus without being released in
the case of excessive bias.
[0095] The present description is provided for guidance only, and
other embodiments of the invention could be adopted without leaving
the scope thereof.
[0096] In particular, the boot attaching members could be rods or
pins, or could have any other appropriate cross section capable of
enabling hooking of the boot. Instead of the two members being
retractable, only one being movable could be sufficient. Both
attaching members could also be fixed, and at least one of the
retaining members of the base could be retractable.
[0097] The instant application is based upon French Patent
Application No. 00 01266, filed Jan. 28, 2000, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety,
and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119.
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