Sheath fastening device, particularly for ski boots

Abstract: A sheath fastening device for cable sheaths of ski boots, including a body (6) which is axially perforated for the passage of a cable (5), and for fastening at least one portion of the sheath to the boot. The body furthermore has flaps for temporary engagement with at least one through seat defined on the boot.

Description: The present invention relates to a sheath fastening device in a ski boot. The use, in ski boots, of cables adapted to control fastening or securing means and slidably arranged within sheaths, is currently known. The sheaths are usually arranged in hidden parts of the boot, such as the inside of the shell or of the quarters. Bridges, also termed sheath clips, are usually employed to allow the optimum connection of said sheaths to the boot, and their ends are riveted to the boot. This construction has disadvantages: high costs and long assembly times due to the need to rivet the bridges at preset points of the boot, with at least one pair of rivets on each side. In case of breakage of said bridges, it is furthermore necessary to have appropriate tools or instruments for replacing them; said tools and instruments are certainly not available to the user. FR-A-2 607 677 discloses a device for fastening a cable sheath in a ski boot as defined in the preamble of the appended claim 1. EP-A-260 900 discloses a snap-on clip for clamping the outer sheath of a Bowden cable in heater systems of automotive vehicles. The device comprises a clamping member for rigid insertion into a sheet, and a sleeve element supported at the end of the outer sheath of the cable. The clamping member has a pair of resilient limbs defining an open channel for receiving and gripping the sleeve, and the inner surface of the channel has ribs which interlock with ribs of the sleeve element to prevent axial movement of the sheath relative to the clamping member. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a device which allows to achieve a rapid coupling between the boot and one or more sheaths. Within the scope of this aim, an important object is to provide a device which can be handled even by people who have not been trained specifically and without using particular tools or instruments. Another important object is to provide a device which associates with the preceding characteristics that of allowing an easy connection to one or more parts of the boot. Still another object is to provide a device which has modest manufacturing costs. Not least object is to provide a device which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being reliable and safe in use. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a sheath fastening device in a ski boot as defined in the appended claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages 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 perspective view of the sheath fastening device according to the invention, applied at the shell of a boot; figure 2 is an exploded view of the device; figure 3 is a partially sectional view, taken transversely with respect to the through seat; figure 4 is a sectional view taken along a plane which is longitudinal to the through seat. With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a ski boot which comprises a shell 2 with which it is possible to removably associate the fastening device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 3, for a sheath 4 inside which a traction element, such as a cable 5, is slidably associated. The fastening device 3 is constituted by a body 6 which has an essentially parallelepipedal shape and longitudinally to which at least one hole 7 is defined. The diameter of a first portion 8 of said hole is slightly larger than that of an end 9 of the sheath 4, which is removably insertable therein. A second portion 10, with a reduced diameter which is slightly larger than that of the cable 5, is provided sequentially with respect to the first portion 8. It is thus possible to insert the end 9 of the sheath 4 within the first portion 8 of the hole 7; said end abuts at the step-like discontinuity 11 defined between the first portion 8 and the second portion 10, whereas the cable 5 is free to slide through the hole 7. Said body 6 and said sheath 4 are temporarily associable respectively at least at a first seat and a second seat which are indicated by the numerals 13 and 14, are sequential with respect to one another and are defined in any region of the boot, such as for example a region arranged laterally to the shell 2. The first seat 13 passes through the shell 2, whereas the second seat 14 only partially affects the thickness thereof. The body 6 has means for temporary engagement with the first seat 13 which are constituted by two pairs of lateral flaps 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b between which two tabs 17 and 18, which protrude transversely to the first seat 13, can be arranged. Advantageously, the pair of flaps 16a and 16b, which is arranged on a lower plane with respect to that of the pair of flaps 15a and 15b, has a smaller transverse extension, so as to allow, once a pressure has been applied to the body 6, the insertion thereof into the first seat 13 without having to use fixed connection means such as rivets. Furthermore, once an effort has been exerted on the body 6 in a direction which is opposite to the preceding one for its removal from the first seat 13, the elastic deformation of the tabs 17 and 18 allows the simple and rapid extraction of said body 6. A recess for the optimum passage of the cable 5 is defined at the internal surface 19 of the shell 2. The second seat 14 is defined axially with respect to the first seat 13, since said second seat accommodates the sheath 4. In order to allow the temporary fastening of said sheath to said shell 2, a pair of shoulders 20 and 21 protrudes laterally with respect to the second seat 14; said shoulders are slightly curved in the direction of said second seat, and their elastic deformation allows the snap-together insertion and extraction of the sheath 4. The use of the fastening device is thus as follows: once the sheath has been associated with the cable, and once said cable has been inserted in the hole 7, it is sufficient to arrange the body 6 within the first seat 13 and the sheath within the second seat 14, fastening the sheath at the shoulders 20 and 21. The configuration of the hole 7 allows to lock the sheath while the cable is free to slide. It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a fastening device having been obtained which allows to achieve a rapid and easy connection between the boot and one or more sheaths, both during the assembly of the boot and in a possible maintenance operation performed by the skier to replace the body 6 after possible breakage. The device furthermore has modest manufacturing and installation costs. The device according to the invention is naturally susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept. The materials and the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the device may naturally be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements. 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 sheath fastening device in a ski boot, comprising a body (6) providing the passage for at least one traction element (5) and the fastening of at least one portion of said sheath (4) to said boot (2), said body having means (15a,15b,16a,16b) for temporary engagement with at least one through seat (13,14) defined on said boot, said means for temporary engagement comprising two pairs of lateral flaps (15a,15b,16a,16b) between which two tabs (17,18), which protrude transversely to said at least one seat, are arranged, characterized in that at least one hole (7) is defined longitudinally to said body, said hole having a first portion (8) with a slightly larger diameter than that of said sheath (4), said sheath being removably inserted therein, said hole (7) comprising a second portion (10) which is provided sequentially to said first portion (8) and which has a reduced diameter with respect to said first portion (8), the reduced diameter being slightly larger than that of said traction element (5), said sheath (4) having an end (9) which is inserted within said first portion (8) of said hole (7), said end (9) substantially abutting at the step-like discontinuity (11) which is defined between said first (8) and second (10) portions, said traction element (5) being free to slide through said second portion (10) of said hole (7). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said body has an essentially parallelepipedal shape. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said body and said sheath are temporarily associated respectively at at least one first seat (13) and one second seat (14), said seats being arranged mutually in sequence and being defined in at least one region of said boot. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first seat (13) is a through seat with respect to said boot, said second seat (14) affecting the thickness of said boot only partially. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said pair of flaps (16a,16b) arranged on a lower plane has a smaller transverse extension, so as to allow, once a pressure has been exerted for the insertion of said body within said first seat, the elastic deformation of said tabs (17,18). Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said body is inserted from the outside of said boot, a recess being defined at the internal surface of said boot for the optimum passage of said cable. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first portion (8) is adjacent to said second seat (14) once said body has been inserted in said first seat. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said second seat (14) is defined axially with respect to said first seat (13). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that for temporarily fastening said sheath to said boot, a pair of shoulders (20,21) protrudes laterally to said second seat (14), said shoulders being slightly curved toward said second seat, the elastic deformation of said shoulders allowing the snap-together insertion and extraction of said sheath.

Inventors: LUCCHETTA FAUSTINO, TREVISAN WALTER, LUCCHETTA, FAUSTINO, TREVISAN, WALTER
Applicants: NORDICA SPA, NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F16C1
IPC codes: A43B5, F16C1