US20020011718A1 - Device for the angular orientation of a boot on a gliding or rolling board - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for the angular orientation of a boot to be associated with a gliding or rolling board. The device includes a disk and a plate, the disk having a peripheral toothing. The plate is rotationally guided in relation to the disk. The plate is provided with an arm that has a toothed end. The arm is journalled with respect to tie plate along an axis that is parallel to the thickness of the plate, and an elastic mechanism biases the arm such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 00 09801, filed Jul. 21, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0002]
• The present invention relates to the field of gliding or rolling sports, and relates more particularly to a device for the angular orientation of a boot with respect to a board.[0003]
• 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information[0004]
• Devices of the aforementioned type are used, for example, on boards adapted to snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfboarding.[0005]
• In the case of a snowboard, the prior art includes numerous examples, such as that disclosed in patent publication WO 98/37934.[0006]
• According to this document, an angular orientation device includes a disk and a plate. The disk has a peripheral toothing. The plate is rotationally guided in relation to the disk. The plate is provided with an arm that has a toothed end. A mechanism makes it possible to position the arm in a locking position or in an unlocking position.[0007]
• The locking position is that in which the toothed end of the aim is engaged with the toothing of the disk. In this case, the plate is immobilized with respect to the disk and, consequently, with respect to the board.[0008]
• The unlocking position is that in which the toothed end of the arm is distanced from the toothing of the disk. In this case, the plate is free to rotate with respect to the disk and, consequently, with respect to the board.[0009]
• The device according to patent publication WO 98/137934 makes it possible to adjust the angular orientation of a boot with respect to a board. However, the structure of the device according to this document has the disadvantage of being complicated, because it includes numerous parts.[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An object of the invention in particular is to simply the structure of an angular orientation device.[0011]
• To this end, the invention proposes a device for the angular orientation of a boot to be associated with a gliding or rolling board, the device including a disk and a plate, the disk having a peripheral toothing, the plate being rotationally guided in relation to the disk along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the thickness of the plate, on the one hand, and to the thickness of the disk on the other hand, the plate being provided with an arm that has a toothed end.[0012]
• The arm is journalled with respect to the plate along an axis that is substantially parallel to the thickness of the plate, and an elastic mechanism biases the arm such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.[0013]
• The device according to the invention includes a small number of parts. This further simplifies its structure.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings showing, by way of non-limiting examples, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:[0015]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;[0016]
• FIG. 2 is an exploded, cross-sectional view along the line[0017]11-11 of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 2, in a case where the elements of the device are assembled;[0018]
• FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3;[0019]
• FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device;[0020]
• FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and[0021]
• FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6.[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The first embodiment of the invention, which relates to the field of snowboarding, is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS.[0023]1-5.
• In a known manner, as can be better understood with reference to FIG. 1, a boot (not shown) can be retained on a board[0024]1 by means of a binding2. The board1 extends longitudinally along a direction L1, and transversely between a first lateral edge3 and a secondlateral edge4. The board1 also has anupper surface5 and a lower surface or sole6.
• The[0025]binding2 includes aplate7 that extends, along a longitudinal direction L2, from a front end8 to a rear end9. Theplate7 is edged laterally with afirst projection10 and with asecond projection11, theprojections10,11 being connected to one another by anarc12 extending rearwardly of the rear end9.
• A retaining assembly is provided to retain the boot in the binding, such that the sole is above an[0026]upper surface13 of theplate7, and that the heel is opposite thearc12. This retaining assembly is shown in the form of twostraps14,15 which can be open or closed by a user. It can be provided that the length of thestraps14,15 are adjustable by any suitable means.
• Complementarily, a[0027]rear support element16 enables rear supports with the lower leg. This element is here journalled on theprojections10,11 along a transverse axis W of thebinding2.
• The[0028]plate7 is retained on the board1 by adisk17 such that itslower surface18 is above the upper surface S of the board.
• The[0029]disk17 itself is removably affixed to the board1, for example, by means ofscrews19.
• As shown better in FIG. 2, the[0030]disk17 has anupper surface20 provided to be opposite the boot sole, and alower surface21 provided to be above theupper surface5 of the board1.
• Between the[0031]upper surface20 and thelower surface21, thedisk17 successively has three portions. Afirst portion22 is provided with ashoulder23 whose geometry is shown in the form of a truncated cone. A secondcircular portion24 is provided with aperipheral toothing25. Athird portion26 is shown in the form of a cylinder.
• To receive the[0032]disk17, anopening27 is provided in the thickness of theplate7, between theupper surface13 and thelower surface18, The opening27 successively has three portions. Afirst portion28 has a shape complementary to theshoulder23 of thedisk17. Asecond portion29 is cylindrical and smooth for housing the toothing25 of thedisk17. Athird portion30 is cylindrical and smooth for housing thecylindrical portion26 of thedisk17.
• When the[0033]disk17 retains theplate7 on the board1, as is the case in FIG. 3, theaxis31 of thedisk17 and theaxis32 of theopening27 are substantially merged. Theaxes31,32 are also substantially perpendicular to the thickness of theplate7, on the one hand, and to the thickness of thedisk17, on the other hand.
• A mechanism makes it possible to lock or unlock the position of the[0034]plate7 with respect to thedisk17. This mechanism includes anarm33 which has atoothed end34. The arm is housed in achannel35 obtained, for example, in the form of a groove provided in thelower surface18 of theplate7. Thechannel35 is oriented longitudinally in a direction substantially perpendicular to theaxis32 of theopening27 of theplate7.
• According to the invention, the[0035]arm33 is journalled with respect to theplate7, along anaxis36 substantially parallel to the thickness of theplate7. An elastic means, shown in the form of aspring37, biases thearm33 such that thetoothed end34 of thearm33 is engaged with theperipheral toothing25 of thesecond portion24 of thedisk17. Thearm33 is flattened against the bottom38 of thechannel35. This situation corresponds to a locking state of the orientation device. Theplate7 cannot rotate with respect to thedisk17.
• The[0036]arm33 is therefore naturally in a position that causes theplate7 to be rotationally immobilized with respect to thedisk17.
• The user can unlock the orientation device to rotate the[0037]plate7 with respect to thedisk17, along theaxes31,32, as is better understood with reference to FIG. 4.
• To this end, a[0038]handle39 is connected to thearm33, the handle and the arm preferably forming a single piece. The shape of thehandle39 is provided such that the user can slip at least one finger into thecavity40 of thehandle39, and exert an unlocking force in the direction of the arrow. A traction on thehandle39 causes a rotation of thearm33 along theaxis36. Consequently, thetoothed end34 of thearm33 is no longer engaged with theperipheral toothing25 of thedisk17.
• In the unlocking position, the[0039]toothed end34 of thearm33 is opposite the thirdcylindrical portion26 of thedisk17. This is possible because the diameter of thethird portion26 is less than the diameter of thetoothing25 of thesecond portion24.
• The user can cause the[0040]plate7 to rotate with respect to thedisk17, so as to orient the plate in relation to the board1 along a selected direction. When this direction is obtained, it suffices to release thehandle39. Thespring37 causes a return of thetoothed end34 toward theperipheral toothing25. If the teeth of theend34 and of theperiphery25 are offset, then thetoothed end34 engages with theperipheral toothing25, i.e., in a locking position of the device.
• This configuration is shown in a bottom view in FIG. 5.[0041]
• If the teeth are in interference, then the[0042]toothed end34 takes support on theperipheral toothing25. It then suffices to make theplate7 rotate with respect to thedisk17 to offset the teeth and place theend34 in engagement with theperipheral toothing25.
• Preferably, the dimensions of the teeth, of the[0043]toothed end34 of thearm33 and of theperipheral toothing25 are provided to obtain an angular pitch on the order of three degrees. This provides the device with an adequate precision.
• Preferably, the profile of the teeth of the[0044]disk17 is obtained by a generating line that is parallel to theaxis31 of the disk, and the profile of the teeth of thearm33 is obtained by a generating line that is perpendicular to the thickness of the arm. The teeth of thedisk17 are therefore oriented radially with respect to the disk, and the teeth of thearm33 are contained in the thickness of the arm. These characteristics make it possible to reduce the space requirement of the orientation device in the direction of its thickness.
• As is understood with reference to FIGS.[0045]2-4, thejournal axis36 of thearm33 is contained in a plane that also contains theperipheral toothing25 of thedisk17. Thus, the displacement of the teeth of theend34 of thearm33 occurs substantially in a direction that is parallel to theaxis31 of the disk. This characteristic contributes to reducing the wear and tear of the teeth of thedisk17 and of thearm33.
• Furthermore, as seen better in FIG. 1, the[0046]handle39 is arranged laterally with respect to the binding, i.e., with respect to the angular orientation device, Thus, the user can maneuver thehandle39 and orient his foot even if the boot is retained on theplate7.
• The second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 7.[0047]
• In fact, this is an angular orientation device similar to the previous one. For this reason, only the differences are described.[0048]
• A mechanism is provided to lock or unlock the device. The mechanism includes an[0049]arm50 and ahandle51, journalled with respect to one another by means of apin52 having anaxis53. The length of thepin52 is greater than the width of thearm50, such that thearm50 is journalled on the plate of the device. Thearm50 has atoothed end54 and ajunction end55, the latter being bored to receive thepin52. Thehandle51 is also bored for the passage of thepin52, and has anextension56 provided to be housed in acavity57 of thearm50.
• A[0050]first spring58 constantly biases thearm50, upwardly toward the bottom of the channel receiving the arm. Asecond spring59 constantly biases thehandle51, such that alower surface60 of the handle is applied on the board on which the orientation device is mounted.
• The mechanism enables a locking and an unlocking of the angular orientation device as explained hereinafter.[0051]
• In the locking position, the[0052]base60 of thehandle51 is biased toward the gliding board by thesecond spring59, and thefirst spring58 maintains thetoothed end54 engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.
• To unlock, a traction force applied on the[0053]handle51 induces a displacement of thetoothed end54, because anabutment61 of theextension56 presses on thewall62 of thecavity57.
• To lock, it suffices to release the[0054]handle51, as in the preceding example. If the teeth are offset, then thearm50 and thehandle51 reassume the locking position.
• If the teeth are then in interference, contrary to the preceding example, the[0055]handle51 nevertheless reassumes the locking position. This is due to the action of thesecond spring59. It suffices to rotate the plate with respect to the disk to offset the teeth and to also replace thearm50 in the locking position, due to the action of thefirst spring58.
• This structure of the mechanism makes it possible, in the absence of an external force, to keep the[0056]handle51 in constant contact with the board on which the device is mounted.
• Generally speaking, the invention can be made with any of the materials and according to any of the techniques known to a person with ordinary skill in the art.[0057]
• The invention is not limited to the particular examples described hereinabove and shown in the drawings, but includes all of the technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.[0058]
• In particular, the number of teeth of the arm is not a set number. This number can vary, for example, from 1 to 20.[0059]
• The shapes and the position of the handle can be modified, as well as the shapes and the positions of the arm and of the channel.[0060]
• The arrangement of the portions of the[0061]disk17 or of the portions of theopening27 of theplate7 could be different. For example, the peripheral tooting of the disk could be opposite the board, the cylindrical and smooth portion then being between the shoulder and the toothing. In this case, the second and third portions of the opening of the plate have the same diameter.
• The second portion of provides a clearing space for the toothed end of the arm. The unlocking occurs when the toothed end of the arm rises toward the shoulder of the disk.[0062]

Claims (8)

What is claimed is:

1. A device for the angular orientation of a boot to be associated with a gliding or rolling board, the device comprising:

a disk and a plate, the disk having a peripheral toothing, the plate being rotationally guided in relation to the disk along an axis substantially perpendicular to a thickness of the plate and to the thickness of the disk, the plate being provided with an arm having a toothed end, the arm being journalled with respect to the plate along an axis substantially parallel to the thickness of the plate, and an elastic mechanism biasing the arm such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.

2. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the arm is housed in a channel provided in the plate.

3. A device according toclaim 2, wherein the channel is oriented longitudinally, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of an opening of the plate provided to receive the disk.

4. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the journal axis of the arm is contained in a plane which also contains the peripheral toothing of the disk.

5. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the profile of the teeth of the disk is obtained by a generating line parallel to the axis of the disk, and wherein the profile of the teeth of the arm is obtained by a generating line perpendicular to the thickness of the arm.

6. A device according toclaim 1, wherein a handle is connected to the arm.

7. A device according toclaim 6, wherein the handle is arranged laterally with respect to the device.

8. A device according to claims1, wherein the elastic mechanism that biases the arm, such that the toothed end of the arm is engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk, is a spring.

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