Abstract:
A snowboard binding has at least two substantially rigid elements separate from one another and pivotably positioned on opposite lateral sides of an instep zone of a user&#39;s boot or footwear. The movable elements include press-on elements to reduce pressure exerted onto the boot by the movable elements. The movable elements are further connected to control elements that permit the movable elements to pivot and cooperate to separately retain a respective side of the instep zone of the boot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Art 
     The present invention concerns a binding for a snowboard or the like. In the first place, it is meant for a snowboard, but in a more general way it can also be used for other applications such as for example a mono-ski. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is known that for realizing a binding with a snowboard, in other words for making a connection between one of the boots of the user of the snowboard and the snowboard itself, use can be made of ribbons which are tightened over the front part of the boot, in particular the instep. These ribbons, called straps, are attached to a basic part which is fixed on the actual snowboard and which is equipped with a heel support. This known binding is disadvantageous in that it is time-consuming to use. Another disadvantage consists in that large pressure forces are exerted on the central part of the instep. Since a number of sensitive bones and blood vessels are situated in the central part, the use of such a binding can easily cause injuries. 
     According to another known technique, such a binding consists of latches which can cooperate with parts that have been specially provided on the sole of the boot. A disadvantage of this technique consists in that not every boot fits in every binding. An example hereof is disclosed in the German utility model no. 295 00 862. 
     German patent application no. 195 24 457 discloses a binding which is provided with one movable element in the form of a clip, which from one lateral side can be turned over the boot in order to clamp the latter at the height of the instep. In order to actuate said element, the latter is provided with a lever arm fixedly mounted to said element. 
     German patent application no. 295 20 277 discloses a binding which is provided with one movable element in the form of a clip which can be turned upward and downward in a forward direction, by pivoting it around the tip of the binding. In order to actuate said element, the latter is provided at its lower side with a lever arm which is fixedly mounted to said element. 
     Due to the use of only one clip-like element which is provided with an actuation lever fixedly mounted thereto, the bindings disclosed in DE 195 24 457 and DE 295 20 277 show the disadvantage that it is not possible to provide an efficient clamping action. The reason herefore consists in that the distance between the actuation lever and the movable element has to be large enough to enable the boot to be slit between the actuation lever and the movable element. As, after closing the binding, the distance between the actuation lever and the movable element remains unchanged, no pressing on occurs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention aims a binding for a snowboard which has been improved in relation to the embodiments known until now and which, in a preferred embodiment, also offers a solution for the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known bindings. 
     To this end, the invention provides a binding for a snowboard or such, whereby this binding makes it possible to fix a boot or any other footwear on a snowboard, characterized in that it is provided with at least two movable elements which mesh from opposite lateral sides over the boot or footwear as a clip and co-operate with the boot or footwear on the place of the instep. 
     By an element which meshes over the boot as a clip is in the first place meant an element which assumes a well defined or rather well defined shape when locked according to the invention, in other words not a very flexible element such as a strap. By “as a clip” is meant that the element envelops the boot partly or entirely in the closed position of the binding. 
     In particular, by such element is meant a structure which is composed of rigid or relatively rigid (i.e., substantially inflexible) parts or parts with little flexibility, as compared with a user&#39;s boot or footwear located in the binding. 
     By using two elements instead of only one element, each of the elements needs to envelop the boot over only are relatively short distance, which offers the advantage that the movement of these elements is not influenced by the presence of the boot. 
     According to the most preferred embodiment the two elements are located at the opposite lateral sides of the binding and during opening can be moved sideward. In a particular embodiment this movement is obtained in that the elements can hinge laterally. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the binding is provided with press-on elements allowing that a pressure force in the central part of the instep is excluded. 
     Preferably, the binding will also be provided with a step-in system, also simply called “step-in”. 
     Further, the binding according to the invention may have one or several of the characteristics described in the following description and claims, whereby these characteristics can be combined at random. 
     The invention also concerns a snowboard equipped with such bindings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which 
     FIG. 1 shows a binding according to the invention in perspective; 
     FIG. 2 shows a view according to arrow F 2  in FIG. 1 to a larger scale; 
     FIG. 3 shows a section of the part which is indicated in FIG. 2 with F 3 ; 
     FIG. 4 shows a section according to line IV—IV in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 shows a schematic section according to line V—V in FIG. 2 to a smaller scale; 
     FIG. 6 shows a schematic view for a variant, similar to that of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 shows a disassembled variant, whereby only a limited number of parts are represented; 
     FIG. 8 shows the binding of FIG. 7 from a side view, in a more complete situation; 
     FIG. 9 shows a section according to line IX—IX in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 shows a variant. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention concerns a binding  1  for a snowboard  2 . As is known, such a binding  1  is designed to form a connection between a boot  3  of the user and the actual snowboard  2 . 
     A shown in FIGS. 1 to  5 , according to the preferred form of the invention, the binding  1  is provided with at least two elements  4 - 5  which mesh or fit over the boot  3  as a clip at the top of the instep  6 . 
     The elements  4  and  5  can be laterally moved, in particular hinged, between an open position and a closed position as is indicated in FIG. 5 with A and B respectively. These elements  4  and  5  can hereby be hinged around hinge points  7 - 8  which are situated at the bottom on the sides of the binding  1 . 
     As represented, the elements  4  and  5  each preferably consist of a clip, formed of two legs  9 - 10  which, when the binding  1  is closed, extend over a part of the boot  3  and a connecting piece  11  connecting the legs  9 - 10  with one another, extending in the longitudinal direction of the instep  6 , and preferably rising somewhat obliquely from the front to the back. The connecting pieces  11  preferably also diverge somewhat from the front to the back. 
     The hinge points  7 - 8  are provided on a base plate  12  which is also part of the binding  1 . In the example, the hinge points  7 - 8  are formed of shafts  13 - 14  onto which the legs  9 - 10  are fixed, whereby these shafts  13 - 14  are hinge-mounted in seatings  15 - 16  provided on the edges of the base plate  12 . In these seatings  15 - 16  are provided grooves  17  which make it possible for the legs  9 - 10  to rotate. 
     The base plate  12  makes it possible to fix the binding  1  on the snowboard  2 , for example by means of screws  18  or in any other way whatsoever. It is clear that this baseplate  12  can also be replaced by a frame. According to another variant, the base plate  12  can be omitted and the hinge points  7 - 8  can each be provided separately to the snowboard  2 . 
     The binding  1  further includes a heel support  19 , preferably in the shape of what is called a spoiler. A fixed heel support  19  will preferably be used. 
     As the example of FIGS. 1 to  5  further indicates, the binding  1  is preferably carried out as an step-in binding, by which is meant that the binding  1  is closed by exerting a pressure force on it via the boot  3 . 
     Also, the binding  1  is provided with actuation or control members, in particular lever arms  20 - 21 , with which the binding can be put from the open position A in the closed position B by means of a pressure force exerted by the bottom side of the boot  3 . Also, these lever arms  20 - 21  are situated directly above the base plate  12 . In the example shown, they consist of U-shaped clips which are fixed to the shafts  13 - 14  at the height of the above-mentioned grooves 
     According to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to  5 , the binding  1  is also equipped with elastic means  22  which force the binding  1  in the opened position. In the example, these means  22  are provided on the hinge points  7 - 8 , and in particular they are integrated in these hinge points  7 - 8 . 
     In particular, these elastic means  22 , as represented in FIG. 3, consist of a torsion spring  23  which is fixed to the shaft  13 , 14  respectively with one end  24 , and which is fixed to the fixed part of the corresponding hinge point  7  or  8  with its other end  25 , in other words to the seating  15  or  16 . 
     Further, the binding  1  is provided with locking means  26  which retain the binding  1  in a closed position during its use. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to  5 , these locking means  26  consist of an element  27  which is automatically locked when the binding  1  is closed, for example due to a compression spring  28  which forces the element  27  in a seating  29 . The element  27  is provided with a control element  30  which makes it possible to unlock the element  27  against the force of the compression spring  28 . 
     The binding  1  according to the invention, as represented in the examples shown, is preferably provided with press-on elements  31 - 32  which leave at least the central part  33  of the instep  6  free of pressure when in use. 
     In fact, these press-on elements  31 - 32  may be formed of connecting pieces  11 , but they will preferably consist of elements which are provided on the connecting pieces  11  to this aim. These press-on elements  31 - 32  preferably consist of a rather flexible and/or compressible material, for example rubber, or even a more flexible material such as synthetic foam. 
     These press-on elements  31 - 32  are also carried out such that a support is formed at least right and left of the instep  6 . 
     In particular, the press-on elements  31 - 32  extend in the longitudinal direction of the binding  1  as represented, in other words in the longitudinal direction of the foot of the user of the snowboard  2 , such that a support is provided in different places in the longitudinal direction. 
     The binding  1  is provided with means to alter the press-on pressure supplied by the press-on elements  31 - 32 , to change their position respectively. To this end, the press-on elements  31 - 32  are cylinder-shaped and are situated eccentrically around the connecting pieces  11 , such that the pressure force can be altered by putting the press-on elements  31 - 32  in another angle position in relation to the connecting pieces  11 . In order to make sure that the press-on elements  31 - 32  cannot turn during use, locking means which are not represented in the figures can be provided between the connecting pieces  11  and the elements  4 - 5 . 
     The working and the use of the binding  1  is mainly as follows. In the first instance, the elements  27  are put in the unlocked position, so that the elements  4 - 5  end up in the positions A as represented in FIG.  5 . By placing a foot with a boot  3  in the binding  1 , a force P is exerted on the lever arms  20 - 21 , so that the elements  4 - 5  rotate inwardly and end up in the position B, whereby the press-on elements  31 - 32  clamp the boot  3  near the instep  6 . 
     At the moment the lever arms  20 - 21  are pressed entirely down, the element  27 , with the help of the compression spring  28 , will mesh in the seating  29 , which has for a result that the elements  4 - 5  remain locked in the position B, after which the snowboard  2  is ready for use. 
     The binding  1  can be released by shifting the element  27  by means of the control element  30  and by simultaneously lifting the foot a little. As soon as the element  27  is unlocked, the elements  4 - 5  are opened with the help of the torsion springs  23  which are situated in the hinge points  7 - 8 . 
     According to a variant which is not represented in the figures, the elastic means  22  can also be omitted, whereby only locking means  26 , in the above-mentioned form or in any other form whatsoever, are used. 
     According to yet another possibility instead of elastic means  22  which force the binding  1  in the opened position, elastic means can be used which force the binding  1  in a closed position, whereby a locking in the closed position can possibly be omitted, on condition that the elastic clamping force provides a sufficiently large closing force. In this case, the binding  1  can possibly be provided with a control element, for example a lever mechanism that is operated manually, to open this binding. A locking mechanism can be provided in this case, however, with which the binding  1  can be locked in the open position, such that it is possible to step into the binding  1 . 
     It should be noted that in the last described embodiment, the elements  4 - 5  can be either or not provided with stop means which determine the end position of these elements  4 - 5  in the closed position. In case such stop means are provided, the elements  4 - 5  will assume a specific position when closed. The stop means may hereby consist of the above-mentioned lever arms  20 - 21  whose movement is restricted by the base plate  12 . In case no stop means are provided, it will be the elastic means which determine the clamping force exerted on the boot  3 . 
     It should be noted that the above-mentioned locking means  26  can be of different nature and that they do not necessarily have to be integrated in the hinge points  7 - 8 . Thus, a variant is for example schematically represented in FIG. 5 in which locking means  34  are provided with which the two above-mentioned element  4 - 5  can be connected to one another over the instep  6 . Such locking mechanisms  34  may for example consist of parts which mesh or such, or they may also consist of straps or such with which the elements  4 - 5  can be tied together. As indicated by reference  35  in FIG. 5, use could also be made of locking means which provide for a locking between the lever arms  20 - 21  and the base plate  12 . They can then for example be unlocked by means of a control element which is not represented here. It is clear that in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to  5 , the elements  4 - 5  can be turned open such that a sufficiently large space is created to put a foot with a boot  3  between these elements  4 - 5 . 
     It should be noted that the hinge points  7 - 8  must not necessarily be situated at the bottom. FIG. 6 schematically represents a variant in which these hinge points  7 - 8  are situated at a distance above the base plate  12  or such. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 6 which is schematically represented also shows that the lever arms  20 - 21  are optional and thus can be omitted. 
     It is clear that also the embodiment of FIG. 6, according to a variant which is not represented here, can be provided with control elements which make sure that the binding  1  is locked by putting a boot  3  in it and pressing it down. 
     Finally, it should be noted that the elements which envelop the boot  3  do not necessarily have to be hinge-mounted, but that also other mechanisms of movement can be provided while still remaining within the scope of the invention. 
     It should be noted that, according to a variant, the locking mechanisms  26  of the two elements  4 - 5 , can be combined, such that only one control element instead of two control elements  30  has to be actuated. 
     FIGS. 7 to  9  represent a special embodiment in which the movement of the elements  4  and  5  differs from the movement of the press-on actuation member, as opposed to the mechanisms represented in FIGS. 1 to  5 , whereby the angular displacement of the elements  4 - 5  always coincides with the angular displacement of the lever arms  20  and  21 . This offers the advantage that the press-on-elements, which will be further described hereafter, only close around the boot  3  at the end of the closing motion of the press-on actuation member. 
     The binding  1  is hereby provided with elements  4  and  5 , consisting of basic parts  39 - 40 , which are each provided with two arms  41  and  42  which mesh over the boot  3  as a clip, which basic parts  39 - 40  can be swung aside as a result of the rotation of the elements  4 - 5 . 
     Both on the front arms  41  and on the rear arms  42  are provided press-on elements  43 - 44 . 
     As represented in FIG. 7, according to the invention, at least the rear press-on elements  44 , in other words the press-on elements which are situated at the top portion of the instep  6 , are provided on parts, in this case the arms  42 , which can be at least hinged somewhat to the front and to the back, such that the position of these parts, and thus of the press-on elements  44  will automatically adjust to the shape of the boot  3 . To this end, the arms  42  are fixed to the basic parts by means of hinge points  45 . 
     The press-on elements  44  can also move as such, on the one hand because they are fixed to the arms  42  in a moveable manner, in this case by means of a ball joint  46 , and on the other hand because they are provided with a supporting plate  47  made of a relatively hard but nevertheless flexible material, for example relatively hard plastic. It is clear that, instead of the combination of such a moveable attachment with a flexible support, one can also provide for only either of the two. 
     Further, the binding is provided with supports  48 - 49  whose top sides form guides for the elements  4 - 5  as they snap open and close again. These supports  48 - 49  are provided on the base plate  12  on the outside of the elements  4  and  5  or formed as one piece with it. 
     The above-mentioned guides are provided with adjusting means  50  with which the position and thus the press-on force of the above-mentioned press-on elements  43 - 44  on the boot  3  can be adjusted. These adjusting means  50  consist of moveable parts, in particular sliding shoes  51  provided on the supports  48 - 49  by means of hinges  52  and which, as represented in FIG. 10, can be more or less pressed to the inside by means of adjusting screws  53 . 
     Further, the binding  1  is provided with an actuation or control member in the shape of a support  54  which is fixed between the elements  4 - 5  by means of hinge points  55 - 56  and onto which a pressure force can be exerted with the boot  3 . The elements  4 - 5  are, together with the above-mentioned support  54 , fixed to the base plate  12  near their front end in a rotatable manner, such that the whole can be rotated around a shaft  57  which extends diagonally in relation to the longitudinal direction of the binding. The attachment consists of pivots  58 - 59  forming rotary shafts for the hinge points  55 - 56  on the one hand, and which can be rotated around the shaft  57  by means of hinge points  60 - 61  on the other hand. 
     In the example of FIGS. 7 to  9 , the elastic means  22  consist of springs  62 - 63  which push the above-mentioned elements  4 - 5  laterally open in relation to the above-mentioned. support  54 . Locking means  64  with locking hooks  65  and an unlocking lever  66  make sure that the binding  1  is fixed when closed as the basic parts  39 - 40  with pens  67 - 68  provided upon them end up behind the hooks  65 . 
     The working can be easily derived from the FIGS. 8 and 9. In open position, the parts of the binding  1  are as represented by the dashed line. By putting a foot with a boot  3  in the binding and by pressing the support  54  down, the parts  4 - 5  are forced to hinge inward as they make contact with the sliding shoes  51 . When the support  54  is pressed entirely down, the hooks  65  mesh around the pens  67 - 68 , so that the binding  1  is locked. 
     By interrupting the interlock by operating the unlocking lever  66  and by lifting the foot with the boot  3  at the heel, the elements  4 - 5  are forced to rotate outward due to the force of the springs  62  and  63 , as a result of which they slide over the supports  48 - 49 , so that the whole is also raised around the shaft  57  as the binding  1  opens. 
     It is clear that, instead of the supports  48 - 49 , also other guiding means and closing mechanisms can be provided. 
     The characteristic of the latter embodiment whereby the binding contains a hinge-mounted system which can be rotated around the front end of the binding can also be realized in other ways. Such a hinge-mounted system is particularly practical, by which is meant that the user can easily step in and out of bindings provided with such a system. 
     It should be noted that the present invention also relates to bindings which are provided with only one movable element, such as the element  36  in FIG. 10, whereby in order to provide for a binding which does not show the disadvantages of the known bindings, the binding of the invention is provided with transmission means between the control member  36 A and the movable element  36 , which transmission means are schematically indicated by element  38 , whereby these transmission means  38  provide in a movement of the movable element  36  which is different from the movement of the control or actuation member  36 A. With the latter is meant that for example the element  36  moves over an angle A 1 , whilst displacing the member  36 A over an angle A 2 , which is smaller than the angle A 1 . In this way, the boot  3  can easily be slit into the opened binding, whilst upon closing the binding a clamping force can be created. 
     The element  36  may be mounted laterally of the binding as shown in FIG. 10, but, when using such transmission means  38 , may also be installed at another location, for example in front of the boot  3 . 
     Of course such transmission means may also be provided in the bindings of the invention which make use of two or more movable elements  4 - 5 . 
     The feature according to which the binding is provided with press-on elements which are made such that they can move, either because they are attached in a movable manner, or because they are provided with a support plate made of a relatively hard but nevertheless flexible material can, according to the invention, applied in the embodiments having two or more movable elements  4 - 5 , as well as in embodiments having only one movable element  36 . These plates  47  and the ball joints  46  providing in said movement are indicated in FIG. 10 as well. 
     According to still another possibility of the invention, in order to allow that a good clamping action can be obtained by only one movable element, an extra hinge point  37  can be provided between the press-on elements  31 - 32 , for example as shown in FIG. 10, which may or may not be combined with the above described transmission means  38 . In the latter case, the press-on element  32  can be pressed on first and subsequently the press-on element  31 , whereby the necessary lockings are provided in the eventual hinge point  38  and in the hinge point  37  to prevent them from turning back. 
     According to the invention the feature according to which press-on elements are used which leave at least the central part of the instep  6  free of pressure can apply in the embodiments having to or more movable elements  4 - 5 , as well as in the embodiments having only one movable element  36 . 
     The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a snowboard or such can be made in various forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.