EP0717601B1 - Assembly of a boot and a device for retaining same on a snowboard or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly of a boot and a device for retaining same on a snowboard or the like, wherein the retaining device (10) comprises vertical fastening members (11, 12, 14) lying in a horizontal plane and engaging complementary fastening members (31, 32) arranged in the central portion of the boot sole, the boot (20) comprises a frame (40) forming a minimum power circuit enabling the load transmission and weight shifts required when skiing with said snowboard or the like, and said power circuit (40) includes the boot sole fastening member (32). Providing the boot with a minimum power circuit and connecting it directly to the boot fastening members enables enhanced load transmission and weight shifting whilst minimising the bulk of the retaining device.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a shoe / shoe retention device assembly on a sliding member, in particular on a snowboard.

Snowboarding is a board sport in which the surfer has both feet on one board and positioned obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the board.

There are two origins of shoe / restraint systems corresponding to practices different dominant.

• gène lors des phases de transitions lorsque le surfeur a un seul pied chaussé sur la planche et qu'il pousse dans la neige avec le second pour se déplacer ; notamment sur le plat ou dans les files d'attente des remontées mécaniques,
• gène lors des mouvements nécessaires dans la pratique du surf, notamment quand le genou doit rentrer par une flexion latérale de la cheville, soit pour fléchir davantage, soit pour se réceptionner d'un saut, soit pour effectuer des figures dans une phase aérienne,
• filtration des sensations venant de la planche par la semelle rigide, réduisant ainsi beaucoup le circuit d'information,
• gène lors de la marche à pied.

For an alpine type practice preferably carried out on a track or groomed snow, the boots are of the alpine ski boot or ski touring type, rigid, so as to allow very strong and precise support and edge grip transmissions. The retaining elements cooperating with such a shoe are generally stirrups which lock each of the front and rear ends of each shoe sole. The rigidity of such shoes is generally obtained by a shell and an articulated plastic collar thus constituting a closed power circuit. This construction has the following drawbacks:

• discomfort during transitions when the surfer has only one foot on the board and pushes in the snow with the second to move; especially on the flat or in the queues of the ski lifts,
• discomfort during the movements necessary in the practice of surfing, especially when the knee must enter by a lateral flexion of the ankle, either to bend more, or to receive a jump, or to perform tricks in an aerial phase,
• filtration of sensations coming from the board through the rigid sole, thus greatly reducing the information circuit,
• discomfort when walking.

For a "Soft" type practice preferably performed on flexible, ungroomed snow, powdery, favoring jumps, skids, and other figures, the shoes are very flexible and the necessary supports are provided mainly by the shell-shaped retaining elements open and articulated collar, rigid, associated with straps, two or three per foot, allowing the transmission of vertical forces from bottom to top and forward.

In addition, the support of the ankle and instep are obtained by a diagonal strap arranged substantially at the bend fold and associated with a semi-rigid padded plate which distributes the pressure on the instep and ensures progressive flexion of the ankle, forward particular.

These soft shoes are designed essentially as waterproof and comfortable boots and having no role in transmitting efforts.

They therefore have the advantage of being comfortable and allowing normal walking.

On the other hand, the shell retaining elements are bulky and require precise adjustment at the volume of the shoe at each "putting" operation of the surfboard.

By patent application FR n ° 93.06006, not prepublished, a retaining device was proposed of a surf shoe on a board by complementarity of shapes between the underside of the sole and retainer and locking device in vertical direction.

Such a retaining device is of particularly simple construction and is independent of the shoe size.

By cons, it requires a rigid sole and is therefore not compatible with type shoes boot with flexible sole.

Such a retaining device also does not allow the taking of supports, force transmissions provided by hull restraints.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above drawbacks and to provide a set shoe / shoe retaining device on a sliding member such as a surfboard snow which has the advantages of the two restraint systems described above, without have the disadvantages.

The set must in particular provide a good compromise between footing / comfort and transmission of efforts, recovery of support. It should also allow easy donning and be of a bulk minimum.

Finally, the shoe should be flexible enough to allow walking with a certain unwinding of the foot.

des moyens d'accrochage en direction verticale et selon un plan horizontal coopérant avec des moyens d'accrochage complémentaires de la chaussure disposés dans une partie centrale de la semelle de la chaussure,

que la chaussure comporte une ossature constituant un circuit de puissance minimal pour la transmission des efforts et la reprise d'appui nécessaire dans la pratique du sport,

et par le fait que ce circuit de puissance passe par les moyens d'accrochage de la semelle de la chaussure.

This object is achieved in the shoe / restraint device assembly according to the invention by the fact that the restraint device comprises:

hooking means in vertical direction and along a horizontal plane cooperating with complementary hooking means of the shoe arranged in a central part of the sole of the shoe,

that the shoe has a framework constituting a minimum power circuit for the transmission of forces and the recovery of support necessary in the practice of sport,

and by the fact that this power circuit passes through the hooking means of the sole of the shoe.

In this way, the front and rear ends of the sole of the shoe can be left flexible and thus provide the tactile and unwinding sensations necessary for walking.

Furthermore, the integration into the shoe of the minimum power circuit, which corresponds to power circuit constituted by the hull of a hull / boot assembly, and its direct connection with the means of attachment of the shoe makes it possible to guarantee good transmission of forces and support points for a minimum size of the restraint.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the retaining device, the hooking means in vertical direction are of the latch type, and the means of attachment along a horizontal plane are formed by complementary forms of the shoe and of the retaining devices, ensuring a form link in a longitudinal and transverse direction of this plane; for example by a set of grooves / ribs of appropriate shapes.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un ensemble chaussure/dispositif de retenue selon un exemple de réalisation,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté d'un exemple d'ossature de la chaussure.

In any case, the invention will be well understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe / restraint device assembly according to an exemplary embodiment,
• Figure 2 is a side view of an example frame of the shoe.

The shoe / restraint device assembly shown in Figure 1 consists of a retainer 10 intended to be mounted on the gliding or surfing board, and of a shoe 20 comprising attachment means 30 complementary to those of the retaining device.

The retaining device 10 comprises two rounded ribs 11, 12, of substantially shaped trapezoidal arranged opposite and forming, seen from above, a kind of X.

Each of these ribs 11, 12 can be interrupted by one or more slots 13, as shown in the drawing, so as not to influence too much the possibility of bending of the board on which is mounted the retainer and allow the evacuation of snow when putting on.

The means of complementary attachment of the shoe consist of two recesses or symmetrical "grooves" 31 formed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the shoe (not shown in the drawing), and having shapes complementary to the ribs 11, 12.

These ribs 11, 12 / grooves 31 allow a form connection between the shoe and the device retainer in the horizontal plane of the surfboard.

Of course, other forms of ribs / grooves can be envisaged insofar as they also make it possible to obtain such a shape connection in two perpendicular directions from the horizontal plane.

A locking plate or bolt 14 actuable by means of a handle 15 is mounted sliding in a slot 16 of the rib 11, and is capable of fitting into a recess 17 of the other rib 12.

This bolt 14 is intended to cooperate with a locking pin 32 of the shoe, for the locking in vertical direction of the shoe.

To this end, the space provided between the bolt 14 and the base 18 of the retaining device just corresponds to the diameter of the locking pin 32.

By simple means, one thus obtains a locking of the boot on the sliding member according to the three degrees of freedom.

Of course, the bolt / locking pin system can be reversed, the bolt being on the shoe and axle on the retainer.

Similarly, the axis 32 could be replaced by a flat iron or any other means of retaining in vertical direction could be considered without departing from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the framework 40 of the shoe intended to allow transmission of efforts and recovery of support necessary for the practice of sport.

For reasons of lightness, but also of comfort, this frame 40 is minimal, but provides a power circuit corresponding to that provided by the hull of a hull restraint for boot type surf shoe.

It consists of a rigid shell 41 surrounding the bottom of the foot (shown in 1) from the area metatarsals 42 to the level of the Achilles tendon area 43.

Note, however, that the shell 41 does not extend beyond the metatarsals so as to leave the tactile sensations in the forefoot / toes.

Similarly, the shell 41 carries a wide notch 44 at the heel so as to allow the fitting at this level of damping means, and leaving the tactile sensations of the heel, especially when attacking the step, when walking or when receiving the jump, so to allow the feeling of the part of the surf that touches the ground first.

Furthermore, the shell 41 defines the grooves 31 and anchors the locking pin 32. The shell 41 therefore completely integrates the shoe attachment means which are thus connected directly to the power circuit.

As shown in the comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the sole 21 of the shoe can be overmolded, glued or simply positioned on the central part 45 of the shell 41, and is in one flexible and adherent material like synthetic or natural rubber, and leaving visible the hooking parts 31, 32.

In this way, only the central part of the sole 21 will be stiffened, the other parts of it remaining flexible, and the tactile and rolling sensations of the foot will be preserved.

On the rear part 43 of the shell is articulated a collar 46 extending from the top of the heel to the calf area.

Like the shell 41, the collar 46 has optimized shapes and dimensions so as to allow a transmission of the efforts and recoveries of support necessary for the practice of sport without stiffen the shoe excessively.

More particularly, this collar 46 can be connected to the shell 41 by side stays 47 for allow back support when cornering, called "back side", without penalizing the possibility forward bending essential for surfing.

As in the shell-type fastening devices, the essential role of the collar 46 is provide a rear stop for the foot. In association with a strap 25 placed on the instep, the collar participates in the control of forward bending of the leg by cooperation with the part rear 43 of hull 41.

Note that in the case shown, the collar 46 is articulated on the shell 41 around an axis 48 longitudinal, such a construction allowing a large possibility of pivoting in the direction transverse leg.

This axis 48 may be replaced by an articulation axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the shoe if more rigidity in the transverse direction is desired.

Obviously, a liner 22 will be interposed between the frame 40 of the shoe and the foot 1 of the carrier, so as to provide the necessary comfort.

This boot can be shaped so as to offer the same sensations as a shoe. traditional "boot" type.

Finally, an external rod 23 will be provided to seal the assembly with respect to the snow / water, this rod being integral with the sole 21 and advantageously having the external appearance a traditional "boot" type shoe.

The outer rod 23 is provided, in a manner known per se, with closing and tightening means, lacing type, or, as shown in the drawing, straps 24, 25, 26, associated with means loop or hook-and-loop fastening.

In such a case, a tightening means or strap 25 is more particularly provided at the level of the kick.

As indicated previously, such a strap 25 cooperates with the collar 46 for the control of bending of the leg and will therefore be more or less flexible, so as to provide a very information circuit close to that of a shell / boot assembly.

All the anchoring means 27 of the various straps 24, 25, 26, or shrouds 47, are provided on the frame of the shoe, namely the shell 41 and the collar 46. These anchors are made of any in known manner, rivets, screws, ..., etc.

If the sole is not molded or glued to the shell, it can be simply "threaded" and positioned on it with the rod 23, and the attachment to the power circuit 41, 46, is then produced by the anchoring means 27. Such a construction method is particularly advantageous because it allows the use of "standard" elements and technologies for the upper, sole, strap. In particular, in cases where the anchoring means 27 are screws, the assembly can be made without special tools and be removable.

From the above, it will be understood that the invention makes it possible to obtain a surf shoe of "boot" type having the advantages of such a shoe without having the disadvantages, and which can be associated in particular with a very space-saving restraint device which does not require no setting.

A significant gain in weight and volume can thus be obtained on the shoe / device assembly detention.

The invention relates not only to the shoe, but also to the associated retaining device and the shoe / retainer assembly thus obtained.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above to by way of nonlimiting example.

Claims (16)

1. Boot/retention apparatus assembly on a gliding element, in particular a snowboard, characterized in that the retention apparatus (10) comprises means (11, 12,14) for attachment in the vertical direction and along a horizontal plane cooperating with complementary boot hooking means (31, 32) arranged in a central portion of the boot sole, in that the boot upper (20) comprises a skeleton (40) constituting a circuit of minimal energy for transmitting the forces and the support necessary to the practice of the sport, said energy circuit being constituted by a shell portion (41) integral with the central portion of the sole on which a collar is journaled, and in that the energy circuit (40) passes through the hooking means of the boot sole.
2. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (14, 32) for hooking in the vertical direction are of the latch type.
3. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable portion of the latch is on the boot.
4. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable portion (24) of the latch is on the retention apparatus.
5. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the stationary portion of the latch is constituted by an axle (32).
6. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for hooking along a horizontal plane are constituted by forms (31, 11, 12) complementary to the boot and retention apparatuses ensuring a form linkage along a longitudinal and transverse direction of this plane.
7. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the shell portion is open at the front and rear ends of the boot.
8. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the shell portion surrounds the bottom of the foot from the metatarsal zone (42) up to the Achilles tendon (43).
9. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to one of claims 1, 7, 8, characterized in that the yoke is connected to the shell by stays (47).
10. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to one of claims 1, 7, 8, characterized in that the collar is journaled by a transverse axis on the rear portion of the shell.
11. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to one of claims 1, 7, 8, characterized in that the collar is journaled by a longitudinal axis (48) on the rear portion of the shell.
12. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to one of claims 1, 7, 8, characterized in that the boot comprises an upper (23) provided with means for closing and tightening (24, 25, 26).
13. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for closing and tightening (24, 25, 26) are constituted by straps provided with attachment means and in that the anchoring means (27) of each strap are provided on the skeleton (41, 46) of the boot.
14. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the boot comprises a sole integral with the upper and in that the assembly of the upper to the energy circuit is achieved by the anchoring means (27) of the closing and tightening means.
15. Boot/retention apparatus assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the boot comprises a sole duplicate overcast on the shell.
16. Gliding sports boot, in particular a surfing boot, characterized in that it comprises attachment means (31, 32) arranged in a central portion of the boot sole, in that the boot upper comprises a skeleton (40) constituting a minimal energy circuit for transmitting forces and the support necessary to the practice of the sport, said energy circuit being constituted by a shell portion (41) integral with the central portion of the sole on which a collar is journaled, and in that the energy circuit passes through the hooking means of the boot sole.

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