SECURING AND ADJUSTER DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SKI BOOTS

Abstract: Securing and adjuster device (301) for ski boots, composed of a circular winder (302), which is actuated by a knob (303) and is connected for example to a foot presser, and of a vertical lever (310), which actuates a cable for closing the quarters; when the lever (310) is opened, the winder (302) is also released automatically; the adjustment of the two devices (302,310) is independent.

Description: The present invention relates to a securing and adjuster device, particularly for ski boots. Various devices are currently known applied to ski boots for adjusting and securing traction elements for securing the foot inside the boot. For this purpose, a French patent application FR-A-2 536 965 is known (No. 82 20887 filed on 10.2.1982) which discloses a rear-entry ski boot with a closure lever connected to a single cable for simultaneously closing the quarters and securing the foot inside the boot. Though said device has a single actuation element for closing and opening the quarters and for simultaneously releasing the foot instep, it does not allow to independently adjust said functions, forcing the skier to provide an adjustment which is a compromise between the obtainable optimum values. A French patent FR-A-2 564 327 is also known (No. 84 08599 filed on 5.18.1984) which discloses a securing device for a ski boot which has an additional element, constituted by a first lever, adapted to allow the skier to release a second lever which ensures the securing of the boot when it is closed. This allows the skier to perform the opening action without having to bend down. Said first lever, however, is an additional element pivoted to the boot, and in the closed position it protrudes from the boot profile and is therefore subject to possible accidental releases due to shocks for example. As a partial solution to said disadvantages, the same Applicant filed on 7.23.1985 an application, No. 21669 A/85, which discloses a foot securing device with an automatic release unit which comprises a feeler which interacts with securing means, which engage a cable winding spool, and with the quarter when it is closed, said securing means disengaging from the spool when the quarter is opened. This device, too, has disadvantages, however, since an accidental release can be caused due for example to the lack of pressure exerted at the feeler. Said feeler furthermore constitutes an additional release element. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known devices by providing a device which allows, besides the independent adjustment of at least two distinct functions, such as for example the closure of the quarters and the securing of the foot inside the boot, also to automatically deactivate one function when the other is deactivated. Within the scope of the above described aim, another important object is to provide a device which has very small dimensions. Another important object is to provide a device which associates the preceding characteristics with that of being reliable and safe in use. Not least object is to provide a device which is furthermore free from accidental actuations. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a securing and adjuster device, particularly for ski boots, as defined in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a partially sectional front view of the device in closed position; figure 2 is a partially sectional lateral schematic view of the device in closed position; figure 3 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the device in open position; figure 4 is a partially sectional lateral elevation view of a device according to another aspect of the invention, in closed position; figure 5 is a partially sectional rear view of the device of figure 4; figure 6 is a partially sectional top view of the bracket of the device of figures 4 and 5; figure 7 is a front elevation view of the bracket of figure 6; figure 8 is a partially sectional front view of the device according to a further aspect of the invention; figure 9 is a partially sectional side view of the device of figure 8, illustrating the closed and open positions; figure 10 is a partially sectional side view of the bracket of the device of figures 8 and 9; figures 11, 12 and 13 are partially sectional side views of a device according to another aspect of the invention, respectively in closed, partially open and fully open position; figure 14 is an enlarged lateral elevation detail view of the pivoting of the device of figures 11-13; figure 15 is a partially sectional top view of a detail of figures 11-13: figure 16 is a schematic rear perspective view of a ski boot with a device similar to that of figures 1-3, 17, 18; figure 17 is a partially sectional side view of a device in closed position according to yet a further aspect of the invention; figure 18 is a front view of the device of figure 17 in closed position. With reference to figures 1-3, the securing and adjuster device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, is constituted by a first device 2, preferably constituted by a circular device for example of the kind described in the European Patent No. 0056953 of 11.21.1985 filed in the name of the same Applicant. Said first device thus comprises a knob 3 which actuates an adapted winder for recovering a first traction element and has a toothed crown 5 at the surface adjacent, for example, to the rear quarter 4 of a boot. Said crown interacts ratchet-like with a complementarily shaped tooth 6 of a release element, constituted by a small rod 7 having an end 8 which protrudes outside the quarter 4; the actuation of said rod disengages the tooth 6 from the toothed crown 5 and allows to reverse the direction of rotation of the knob 3 and therefore to unwind the first traction element. A second device 9 is arranged adjacent to the first one 2; in the particular embodiment, said second device is arranged below the first one. Said second device 9 is constituted by a vertical lever 10 pivoted transversely to the rear quarter 4 proximate to the terminal end 8 of the rod 7. At least one second traction element, constituted by a cable 11, is connected to said vertical lever 10 and is adapted for example to close the quarters of the boot by means of appropriate transmissions. The end 12 of said vertical lever 10 which pivots to the rear quarter 4 is cam-shaped and, as illustrated in figure 2, interacts directly with the terminal end 8 of the rod 7 when the vertical lever 10 is closed, as no pressure is exerted by the end 12 at the end 8. In this condition the tooth 6 therefore engages the toothed crown 5 of the knob 3. If the vertical lever 10 is rotated and thus moved to its open condition, the cam-shaped end 12 of said lever exerts a pressure at the terminal end 8 of the rod 7, moving the tooth 6 to disengage from the toothed crown 5 of the knob 3. The rod 7 is in fact pivoted along an axis indicated by 14 at an arm 13 which interacts with a bias spring 15. Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a device 101 according to another aspect of the invention which is substantially similar to the previously described device 1 and is therefore provided with a circular device 102. Said circular device 102 has a peripheral set of teeth 105, instead of a front one as in the preceding case, which is engaged by a pawl 107 which slides vertically to disengage the set of teeth 105 and is actuated by an eccentric element 112 rigidly associated with the lever 110 in a manner similar to the one described above. A second peculiarity of the device 101 is that the circular device 102 comprises a supporting shell 104 which acts as a supporting bracket for the lever 110. The shell 104 comprises a pin 106 for the pivoting of the lever 110 and advantageously comprises cable guiding elements 117, 118 actuated by said lever 110. With reference to figures 8 to 10, the securing and adjuster device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 201, is constituted by a lever 202 pivoted at one of its ends at an adapted first axis 203 which is transverse to the shoulders 204a and 204b of a bracket 205. Said bracket is advantageously associated at a quarter of a ski boot. The lever comprises means for closing the front and rear quarters of the boot, constituted for example by an adapted cable which is coupled, at its ends, laterally to the edges of the front quarter and interacts with the lever which tensions said cable during closure. At least one winder is furthermore associated with the lever 202; said winder is constituted for example by a pulley for winding at least one traction element such as a cable which secures the foot inside the boot. The device is constituted by an interconnection element 206 preferably constituted by an appropriately curved rigid rod which, at a first end 207, is adjacent to the corresponding end of the lever pivoted to the bracket 205, and is pivoted eccentrically to said shoulders 204 at a second axis 208 which is parallel to said first axis 203. An adapted hole 209 is in fact provided on said shoulders and is approximately tangent to the corresponding hole used as seat for the first pivoting pin 210 of said lever 202. The second end 211 of said interconnection element 206 is also curved so as to couple to a pawl 212 at an adapted eyelet 213 provided at one end thereof. Said pawl 212 is arranged between the free end of the lever 202 and said winder and approximately transversely to said lever; its other end interacts ratchet-like with an adapted toothed wheel 214 rigidly rotationally associated with said winder. The pawl 212 can be actuated since it is pivoted to the lever 202 at a second pivot 215 arranged approximately opposite to said slot 213. The end of said pawl which interacts ratchet-like with said toothed wheel 214 advantageously interacts on the opposite side with a preset elastically deformable means such as a spring 216 adapted to force the pawl to engage one of the teeth of said wheel when the lever 202 is closed. In this condition, in which the winder's rotary motion in one direction is prevented, the second end 211 of the interconnection element 206 abuts at the inner lateral surface of the slot 213. The use of the device is as follows: in the condition illustrated in figure 8, with the lever closed and therefore for example after closing the boot's quarters, the skier may preset the degree of securing for example of the foot inside the boot by gripping the adapted accessible knob which rotates the winder. This position is kept by virtue of the presence of the pawl 212 which interacts ratchet-like with the toothed wheel 214. If the skier has stopped skiing or in any case wishes to open the quarters and release the foot inside the boot, it is sufficient for him to rotate the lever 202 through approximately 180 degrees, moving it to an open position. In this manner, on one hand he slackens for example the preset cable used to close the quarters, and on the other, by virtue of the eccentric pivoting of the interconnection element 206 to the pivot 210, actuates the pawl 212 so as to move it to disengage from the teeth of the toothed wheel 214. Because of the rigidity of the interconnection element 206, an equal rotation imparted by the lever corresponds to a traction exerted at the end of the pawl which has the slot 213, the second axis 208 being arranged parallel to the first axis 203 toward the free end of the lever 202. In this manner the preset cable, used for example to secure the foot and wound at the winder, is released subsequent to the opening of the quarters, thus automatically releasing the foot. The device 201 is furthermore advantageously provided with means adapted to disengage the pawl 212 from the toothed wheel 214 when the lever is closed. Said means comprise a button 217 which has a tab 218 which acts on the pawl 212 when the button is pressed upwards. The pawl 212 rotates on the second pivot 215 releasing the toothed wheel 214 as described above. The button 217 furthermore comprises a second guiding tab 219 and a return spring 220 which acts in abutment against the locator element 221. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a securing and adjuster device having been obtained which allows to simultaneously adjust two separate functions such as the closure of the quarters and the securing of the foot inside the boot and to automatically deactivate one function, such as for example the securing of the foot, when the other one is deactivated. Besides being reliable and safe in use by virtue of the use of a rigid interconnection element, the device thus obtained furthermore has modest dimensions and costs. The operative safety of the device is furthermore due to the fact that when the lever is closed the accidental uncoupling of the pawl 212 from the toothed wheel 214 is not possible. Figures 11-15 illustrate a device 301 according to a further aspect of the invention, which comprises, also in this case, a circular device 302 for example of the kind described in the European patent No. 0056953 in the name of the same Applicant. The device 301 comprises a lever 311 pivoted about an axis 306 to a supporting bracket 305 which is only partially illustrated. Said circular device 302 comprises a pulley 309 actuated by a ring 308 which in turn comprises a front set of teeth 308a and naturally an actuation knob 313. A pawl 303 is pivoted to a shaft 307 and has a tooth 303a and a tab 303b adapted to interact with a pivot 304 rigidly associated with the bracket 305. The lever 311 acts for example on one or more cables (not illustrated in the figures) for closing the quarter, while the pulley 309 winds a cable 312 which is advantageously guided by a flexible sheath 310 which makes the adjustment independent from the movement of the lever. As an alternative, the cable 312 can be passed through the region of the lever's fulcrum so that the movement thereof does not alter the adjustment of the length of the cable, avoiding the use of a sheath. The operation of the device 301 is as follows. Figure 11 illustrates the closed position of the lever 311 in which the pawl 303 is in such a position that the tooth 303a engages the set of teeth 308a, preventing the rotation of the pulley 309. With reference to figure 12, by rotating clockwise the lever 311, the tab 303b of the ratchet 303 is moved to abut against the pivot 304, and (figure 13) the further rotation of the lever rotates the pawl 303 on its axis 307, disengaging the tooth 303a from the set of teeth 308a. The pivot 304 prevents the pawl 307 from rotating rigidly with the lever. When the lever 311 is turned over completely (figure 13), the pawl 303 is completely disengaged, leaving the cable free to unwind from the pulley. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate in detail the movement of the pawl with respect to the supporting bracket 305 during the rotation of the lever 311. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a device according to yet a further aspect of the invention and generally indicated by the numeral 401. Similarly to the devices described above, the device 401 comprises a lever 410 hinged at a supporting shell 404 by means of pivot 406. The supporting shell 404 has cable guiding elements 417,418 and supports a circular device 402. The circular device 402 has a knob 404 operating a pulley 405 adapted to wind a cable 416. The pulley 405 is connected to a push button 407 slideable in said knob 404 and protruding externally. The pulley 405 has frontal saw teeth 408 cooperating with analogous frontal saw teeth 409 associated with shell 404. A spring 410 biases the pulley's teeth 408 to engage teeth 409 in order to prevent any rotation of pulley 405 in the unwinding direction and, at the same time, to allow a ratchet-like motion of the pulley when winding the cable. As said above, the push button 407 can slide in the knob 403 and is connected to pulley 405; in this manner to disengage the pulley 405 from the teeth 409 for unwinding the cable 416, it is sufficient to push the button 407. This can be done by opening the lever 410, i.e. rotating it in the direction of the arrow as by figure 17. Naturally the push button 407 is slideable in knob 403 but cannot rotate therewith. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: A ski boot with a securing and adjusting device, said boot comprising at least one quarter and at least one foot securing device which comprises a first securing and adjusting element (2,102,302,402) and a second securing and adjusting element (10,110,202,311,410) acting independently on distinct regions of said ski boot, characterized in that the first and second securing and adjusting elements are interconnected by a locking and release means (5,6,105,107,212,214,303,308a,408,409) which upon the opening of the second element automatically releases the closure of the first element, and the closure of the second element causes the locking and release means to interact with the first element in such a way that the actuation of the first element in the closure direction thereof locks the first element from releasing in order to maintain the degree of securing provided thereby. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element is constituted by a circular device (2,102,302,402) which actuates at least one winder (309, 405) for winding a cable (312), said second element being constituted by a vertical lever (10,110,202,311,410) arranged below said circular device and having one end pivoted to a transverse shaft (106,210,306,406). Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 2, characterized in that said end (12,112) of said second element which interacts with said locking and release means is cam-shaped. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 3, characterized in that upon the activation of said second element said cam-shaped end pushes the corresponding terminal end of a rod (7,107) having a tooth (6) which is thus stably disengaged from a toothed crown (5) provided on a knob (3) having a winder which constitutes said first element. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said second element comprises a lever (202) which is pivoted to a bracket (205) and acts on means for closing said at least one quarter, said first element comprising at least one winder for winding at least one first traction element which secures the foot inside said boot, said device furthermore comprising an interconnection element (206) articulated at one end to said bracket eccentrically to the pivoting axis (210) of said lever and interacting, at the other end, with a pawl (212) at a point which is eccentric to the pivoting axis (215) of said pawl to said lever, said pawl interacting in a ratchet-like manner with an adapted toothed wheel (214) rigidly associated with said winder. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 5, characterized in that said bracket (205) has a pair of shoulders (214a) provided with a through hole which acts as seat for a first pivot (210) for the pivoting of said lever according to a first transverse axis, a further hole (209) being provided on said shoulders along a second transverse axis which is parallel to said first axis. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element is constituted by a circular device (302) which actuates at least one winder (309) for a cable (312), said second element being constituted by a vertical lever (311) which is pivoted transversely to said boot by means of a transverse shaft (306), said lever supporting said circular device, said securing and release means comprising a pawl (303) pivoted to said lever along a shaft (307) which is perpendicular to said pivoting shaft (306) of said lever, said lever furthermore comprising a horizontal pivot (304) which is parallel to said pivoting shaft, said pawl comprising a tooth (303a) adapted to secure a toothed crown (308a) rigidly associated with said winder, said tooth comprising a tab (303b) adapted to interact with said pivot when said lever is opened to disengage said tooth from said toothed crown. Ski boot with securing and adjusting device according to claim 7, characterized in that said cable (312) of said winder (309) is guided by a flexible sheath (310). Ski boot with securing and adjusting device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element comprises a circular device (402) having a winder (409) for a cable, said second element comprising a lever (410) pivoted transversely to a bracket (404) by means of a transverse shaft (408), said circular device comprising a knob (403) actuating said winder, said securing and release means comprising a push button (407) slideable in said knob (403) and conncected to said winder (405), said winder having saw teeth (408) engageable with corresponding saw teeth (409) at said bracket (404), said push button being activated by said lever to disengage said saw teeth (408) of said winder from said saw teeth (409) of said bracket.

Inventors: DE BORTOLI, GIUSEPPE, POZZOBON, ALESSANDRO, SERAFIN, RENATO, TACCHETTO, MAURIZIO, ZORZI, CLAUDIO
Applicants: NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A43C11
IPC codes: A43B5, A63C9, A43C11