Abstract:
The invention describes a pivotable binding system ( 1 ) for mounting between a sports device ( 2 ) and a tread surface ( 5 ) for a user&#39;s foot, in which the tread surface ( 5 ) is pivotable about an axis extending more or less parallel with the ankle joint of the foot and is displaceable, at least in a part region assigned to the toes, to a position closer to the sports device ( 2 ), and can be joined to the sports device by at least one binding element ( 11 ). The binding element ( 11 ) is flexible and is resiliently deformable in a vertical plane ( 8 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Austrian Application No. A 1890/98, filed on Nov. 12, 1998. Applicants also claim priority under 35 U.S.C. 365 of PCT/AT99/00260, filed on Nov. 3, 1999. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a pivotable binding system between a sports device and a tread surface for a user&#39;s foot. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   WO 96/37269 A1 discloses a device for binding a shoe to a sports device. This device comprises a top part frame, which can be connected to a user&#39;s shoe, and pivotably connected to a bottom part frame by means of a hinge mechanism comprising a plurality of linking arms and joints designed to be fixed to various sports devices. The linking mechanism connecting the top to the bottom part frame is constructed so that a pivoting movement of the top part frame relative to the bottom part frame simultaneously causes the two part frames to slide relative to one another. Return spring means are additionally provided which elastically push the two part frames against one another into a predefined relative position. The disadvantage of this system is that correct operation can be easily impaired under difficult conditions of use. 
   WO 87/01296 A1 describes a binding system between a shoe and a sports device, in particular a binding for a touring ski, in which the articulated link to the sports device is disposed in the region assigned to the ball of the foot. As a result, the binding system for the user&#39;s shoe can be displaced into an upper, active position, which permits a pivoting action relative to the sports device about the articulated binding, and a lower, locked position in which the binding is prevented from pivoting. The disadvantage of this system is that it is difficult to switch the articulated binding from the active into the locked position and vice versa and the shear forces or twisting forces which occur between the sports device and the user&#39;s foot relative to a vertical axis place high demands on the parts used. Furthermore, when the binding system is in the active position, the central region of the sports device underneath the user&#39;s -shoe is placed under a high degree of strain due to the fact that the bearing points are small in surface area or linear in shape. Another disadvantage is the fact that the front region of the sports device may rise if the user leans backwards. 
   FR 2 573 317 A1 discloses a binding system between a shoe and a sports device, which enables both a pivoting movement of the shoe relative to the sports device about a pivot axis running transversely to its longitudinal axis and, simultaneously, a relative displacement of the shoe in the longitudinal direction of the sports device. The disadvantage of this is that the user of this binding system is unable to get a firm hold on the sports device, which reduces performance. Another disadvantage is that the kickoff which can be achieved with this system is difficult to control and a certain amount of instability in the kickoff is unavoidable, particularly if there is a change in ground conditions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objective of the present invention is to provide a pivotable binding system between a user&#39;s foot and a sports device, which can enhance the performance of a user. 
   This objective is achieved by the invention with a pivotable binding system mounted between a sports device extending in a longitudinal direction and a tread surface of a sport shoe, which comprises a single binding element consisting of a lever, a first hinge mechanism joining one end of the binding lever to a front end of the tread surface, the first hinge mechanism including a first pivot axis extending substantially perpendicularly to a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction, and a body integral with or affixed to the sports device and rollingly supporting the front end of the tread surface for gliding on a rolling track of the body along an arcuately curved rolling path for displacing the front end of the tread surface towards the sports device. A second hinge mechanism joins an end of the binding lever opposite the one end to the body rollingly supporting the front end of the tread surface, the second hinge mechanism including a second, stationary pivot axis extending substantially perpendicularly to a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction. The first pivot axis is on a higher level than the second pivot axis, and is pivotable along the curved rolling path about the stationary pivot axis from an initial rest position to a displaced position. 
   The particular advantage of this design is that relatively few and simple components imitate the natural rolling action of the foot across the bottom of the toes so that the performance of every user can be enhanced. Surprisingly, however, the enhanced performance which can be achieved by using the design proposed by the invention is not accompanied by any impairment to comfort. On the contrary, comfort is perceptibly increased due to the harmonious or rounded movement of the binding system. The combined or largely rigidly coupled motion of the user&#39;s foot in translation and rotation relative to the sports device during the active phase of the binding system. i.e. when assuming a specific pivot position, gives the user a feeling of stability and functional safety. As a result, he can concentrate on the respective performance and does not haveto consciously concentrate his efforts on a perfect rolling motion, since this is pre-programmed by the binding system to a certain degree. Furthermore, the binding system consists of a few individual components, which makes the design optimum in terms of weight whilst nevertheless enabling the advantageous rolling motion in translation and rotation. At the same time, any undesirable movement between the user&#39;s foot and the sports device, such as twisting about a vertical axis, can be reliably prevented, thereby producing a high resistance to force. Because of the small number bearing points, friction losses between the linking parts of the binding system can be kept particularly low, so that the user&#39;s potential to perform can be largely converted into kinetic energy to propel the sports device along. Another important advantage resides in the fact that the sole of the sport shoe, for example a cross country shoe, can be made to a more bend-resistant design than similar conventional sport shoes because the harmonious or flowing movement needed for an optimum forward propulsion can be produced by the binding device. The natural forward rolling motion across the heels when walking or running is simulated by the binding system proposed by the invention, thereby enhancing comfort when using the sports device. Because the sport shoe can be made relatively more resistant to bending, the driving energy applied by the user can be more effectively converted into forward driving energy, thereby simultaneously enhancing performance without, as one might expect, impairing comfort. 
   Also of advantage is another embodiment further comprising an energy storage device, such as a coil spring, connected to at least one of the hinge mechanisms and biased against an upward pivoting movement of a heel end of the tread surface relative to the sports device since it always forces the sports device into a defined initial or rest position relative to the sport shoe. 
   In an advantageous embodiment in which the lever can be accurately guided and is capable of withstanding high forces, the body rollingly supporting the front end of the tread surface defines a recess housing a predominant portion of the lever, and a stop element in the recess restricts the pivoting movement of the lever about the stationary pivot axis. Kinematically detrimental lever positions can also be prevented due to the fact that the pivoting motion is restricted. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In order to provide a clearer understanding, the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings. 
     Of these: 
       FIG. 1  is a very simplified, schematic cross-section of another embodiment of a binding system as proposed by the invention, seen from a side view; 
       FIG. 2  is a very simplified, schematic diagram of the binding system illustrated in  FIG. 1  from a front view along arrow II. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of a binding system  1  as proposed by the invention, between a sports device  2  in the form of a sliding or rolling member  3 , such as a ski  4  or a roller-skate for example, and a tread surface  5  for a user&#39;s foot. The tread surface  5  for the user&#39;s foot is preferably a shoe sole  6  of a sport shoe  7 . 
   Alternatively, the tread surface  5  for the user&#39;s foot may also be a separate, contoured, largely non-deformable bearing element, designed to support or releasably receive the sport shoe  7 . 
   The binding system I can be used with a whole variety of sports devices  2 . In particular, the binding system I is suitable for joining appropriate sport shoes  7  to skis for cross-country skiing or touring sports. Similarly, the binding system  1  may be used with ice skating boots and/or with single or multi-track roller-skates. This being the case, the term sports device  2  should be read as meaning a skating blade or single- or multi-track rollers or a retaining frame for rollers. Sports devices of this type are also known as folding ice skates or folding roller skates. 
   The binding system has at least one binding element  11  in the form of lever  67  between the tread surface  5  for the user&#39;s foot and the sports device  2 , which is the only element binding sport shoe to the sports device. The lever  67  is hinge-mounted on an end  18  of a body  22  affixed to sports device  2 , on which a forward end of sports shoe  7  rolls. In the end  17  spaced at a distance therefrom in the longitudinal region—double arrow  9 —the lever  67  is joined to a rolling element  69  in shoe sole  6  via hinge mechanism  45 , i.e. it is hinge-mounted on the shoe sole  6 . The rolling element  69  forming one link  70  of the hinge mechanism  45  can be releasably or non-releasably secured to the underside of the shoe sole  6  or alternatively may be integrated in the shoe sole  6 , i.e. embedded therein. 
   The hinge mechanism  45  forms the pivot axis  46  extending perpendicular to the vertical plane  8  between the front end region  17  of the lever  67  and the rolling element  69  or shoe sole  6 . 
   The hinge mechanism  68  in the other end region  18  of the lever  67  between the latter and the body  22  forms a pivot axis  71  extending perpendicular to the vertical plane  8 . The lever  67  is mounted in a recess  72  of the body  22 . The recess  72  is provided in the front end  36  of the body  22  relative to the direction of travel—arrow  19  —and houses the major part of the lever  67 . The recess  72  forms a guide for the lever  67 . The recess  72  also has a stop element  73 , which restricts the pivoting movement of the lever  67  about the pivot axis  71 . In particular, the stop element  73  prevents the shoe sole  6  and rolling element  69  from. lifting off the body  22  by restricting the pivoting range of the lever  67  about the pivot axis  71  in the direction away from the sports device  2 . 
   In order to restrict the pivoting movement of the lever  67  about the pivot axis  71  in:the direction towards the sports device  2 , the recess  72  may be designed to provide another stop element  74 . Clearly, the other stop element  74  could be configured in such a way that the lever  67  moves into abutment directly on the top face of the sports device  2 . 
   The lever  67  is designed so that the pivot axis  46  between the lever  67  and the shoe sole  6  is disposed at a higher lever than the stationary pivot axis between the lever  67  and the body  22  when in the rest or initial position illustrated in full lines in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As a result, when the sport shoe  7  pivots relative to the sports device  2  about the pivot axis  71 , the shoe sole  6  is displaced in the direction in which the sports device  2  is moving or travelling—arrow  9  (see phantom lines in FIG.  1 ). This causes a lengthening of the stride. This effect is produced due to the fact that the pivot axis  46  moves on a circular course  75  about the stationary pivot axis  71  and because the pivot axis  46  between the sport shoe  7  and the lever  67  is disposed at a higher level than the pivot axis  71 . In particular, in the initial or rest position illustrated in full lines in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pivot axis  46  islocated in the top half of the circular course  75  around the pivot axis  71  and, when the heel of the sport shoe  7  is, lifted off the sports device  2 , moves on the circular course  75  in the direction towards the top face  15  and simultaneously in the longitudinal direction of direction of forward movement arrow  9 . plane  8 , the lever  67  has curvature whose center lies above the top face  15  of the sports device  2 . Moreover, the lever  67  extends between the body  22  and the shoe sole  6  substantially parallel with the tread surface  5 . Specifically, when the binding system  1  is in the initial or rest position, as illustrated, a line joining the pivot axes  71  and  46  subtends an acute angle with a . horizontally extending plane, in particular an angle of approximately 2° and  30 °. 
   At least one of the hinge mechanisms  45 ,  68 , but preferably both include an energy storage device  76 ,  77 , i.e. coil springs  78 ,  79 . These energy storage devices  76 ,  77  force the tread surface  5  of shoe sole  6  into the initial or rest position in which they extend parallel with the top face  15  of the sports device  2  and apply a defined resistance, which can be overcome, against an upward pivoting movement of the heel of sport shoe  7  relative to the sports device  2 . 
   When the sportshoe  7  is pivoted relative to the sports device  2 , the rolling element  69  of the shoe sole  6  slides along the rolling track  27  of the body  22  in the direction towards the sports device  2  in circular course  75 , and moves the former back away from the sports device  2  when the heel of the sport shoe  7  is placed on the guide member  43  or the top face  15  of the sports device  2 . 
   The guide member  43  and the body  22  are preferably made as a single component, a gap  80  to the shoe sole  6  being left free between the aforementioned components. 
   By preference, the rolling element  69  also has side plates  58 ,  59  to form a lateral guide device  30  between the rolling element  69  and the body  22 . 
   The shoe sole  6  of the sport shoe  7  may be of a more bend-resistant design than conventional cross-country sport shoes  7  since the rolling movement can be produced by the binding system  1  proposed by the invention. By making the shoe sole  6  or the entire sport shoe  7  more bend-resistant, a more effective repulsive force from the ground underneath the sports device  2  can be achieved. In addition, the sport shoe  7  is better guided relative to the sports device  2  and the forces applied by the user more efficiently converted into energy to generate forward propulsion with the sports device  2 . 
   Due to the combined rotary and translatory coupling between the sport shoe  7  and the sports device  7  afforded by the binding system  1 , performance can be enhanced without detriment to comfort. Reference Numbers 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Reference Numbers 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1. 
               Binding system 
               31. 
               Side face 
             
             
               2. 
               Sports device 
               32. 
               Side face 
             
             
               3. 
               Sliding or rolling body 
               33. 
               Side wall 
             
             
               4. 
               Ski 
               34. 
               Side wall 
             
             
               5. 
               Tread surface 
               35. 
               Initial region 
             
             
               6. 
               Shoe sole 
               36. 
               End region 
             
             
               7. 
               Sport shoe 
               37. 
               Support height 
             
             
               8. 
               Vertical plane 
               38. 
               Support height 
             
             
               9. 
               Double arrow (longitudinal direction) 
               39. 
               Spring means 
             
             
               10. 
               Running surface 
               40. 
               Damping body 
             
             
               11. 
               Binding element 
               41. 
               Spring means 
             
             
               12. 
               Leaf spring 
               42. 
               Tension band 
             
             
               13. 
               Broad side 
               43. 
               Guide member 
             
             
               14. 
               Broad side 
               44. 
               Recess 
             
             
               15. 
               Top face 
               45. 
               Hinge mechanism 
             
             
               16. 
               Pivot angle 
               46. 
               Pivot axis 
             
             
               17. 
               End region 
               47. 
               Circular path 
             
             
               18. 
               End region 
               48. 
               Coupling device 
             
             
               19. 
               Arrow (direction of motion or travel) 
               49. 
               Bearing jaw 
             
             
               20. 
               Fixing means 
               50. 
               Bearing jaw 
             
             
               21. 
               Fixing means 
               51. 
               Operating member 
             
             
               22. 
               Rolling body 
               52. 
               Anti-lift mechanism 
             
             
               23. 
               Fixing means 
               53. 
               Securing element 
             
             
               24. 
               Vertical distance 
               54. 
               Band 
             
             
               25. 
               Rolling surface 
               55. 
               Guide element 
             
             
               26. 
               Rolling surface 
               56. 
               Mounting plate 
             
             
               27. 
               Rolling surface 
               57. 
               Top face 
             
             
               28. 
               Projection 
               58. 
               Side plate 
             
             
               29. 
               Recess 
               59. 
               Side plate 
             
             
               30. 
               Lateral guide device 
               60. 
               Guide arm 
             
             
               61. 
               Guide arm 
             
             
               62. 
               Projection 
             
             
               63. 
               Projection 
             
             
               64. 
               Guide pin 
             
             
               65. 
               Bottom edge 
             
             
               66. 
               Bottom edge 
             
             
               67. 
               Lever 
             
             
               68. 
               Hinge mechanism 
             
             
               69. 
               Rolling element 
             
             
               70. 
               Linking part 
             
             
               71. 
               Pivot axis 
             
             
               72. 
               Recess 
             
             
               73. 
               Stop element 
             
             
               74. 
               Stop element 
             
             
               75. 
               Circular course 
             
             
               76. 
               Energy storage device 
             
             
               77. 
               Energy storage device 
             
             
               78. 
               Coil spring 
             
             
               79. 
               Coil spring 
             
             
               80. 
               Gap