Patent Publication Number: US-2002011718-A1

Title: Device for the angular orientation of a boot on a gliding or rolling board

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] 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. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] 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.  
       [0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information  
       [0005] Devices of the aforementioned type are used, for example, on boards adapted to snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfboarding.  
       [0006] In the case of a snowboard, the prior art includes numerous examples, such as that disclosed in patent publication WO 98/37934.  
       [0007] 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.  
       [0008] 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.  
       [0009] 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.  
       [0010] 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.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] An object of the invention in particular is to simply the structure of an angular orientation device.  
       [0012] 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.  
       [0013] 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.  
       [0014] The device according to the invention includes a small number of parts. This further simplifies its structure. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015] 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:  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded, cross-sectional view along the line  11 - 11  of FIG. 1;  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 2, in a case where the elements of the device are assembled;  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3;  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device;  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0023] The first embodiment of the invention, which relates to the field of snowboarding, is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
     [0024] In a known manner, as can be better understood with reference to FIG. 1, a boot (not shown) can be retained on a board  1  by means of a binding  2 . The board  1  extends longitudinally along a direction L 1 , and transversely between a first lateral edge  3  and a second lateral edge  4 . The board  1  also has an upper surface  5  and a lower surface or sole  6 .  
     [0025] The binding  2  includes a plate  7  that extends, along a longitudinal direction L 2 , from a front end  8  to a rear end  9 . The plate  7  is edged laterally with a first projection  10  and with a second projection  11 , the projections  10 ,  11  being connected to one another by an arc  12  extending rearwardly of the rear end  9 .  
     [0026] A retaining assembly is provided to retain the boot in the binding, such that the sole is above an upper surface  13  of the plate  7 , and that the heel is opposite the arc  12 . This retaining assembly is shown in the form of two straps  14 ,  15  which can be open or closed by a user. It can be provided that the length of the straps  14 ,  15  are adjustable by any suitable means.  
     [0027] Complementarily, a rear support element  16  enables rear supports with the lower leg. This element is here journalled on the projections  10 ,  11  along a transverse axis W of the binding  2 .  
     [0028] The plate  7  is retained on the board  1  by a disk  17  such that its lower surface  18  is above the upper surface S of the board.  
     [0029] The disk  17  itself is removably affixed to the board  1 , for example, by means of screws  19 .  
     [0030] As shown better in FIG. 2, the disk  17  has an upper surface  20  provided to be opposite the boot sole, and a lower surface  21  provided to be above the upper surface  5  of the board  1 .  
     [0031] Between the upper surface  20  and the lower surface  21 , the disk  17  successively has three portions. A first portion  22  is provided with a shoulder  23  whose geometry is shown in the form of a truncated cone. A second circular portion  24  is provided with a peripheral toothing  25 . A third portion  26  is shown in the form of a cylinder.  
     [0032] To receive the disk  17 , an opening  27  is provided in the thickness of the plate  7 , between the upper surface  13  and the lower surface  18 , The opening  27  successively has three portions. A first portion  28  has a shape complementary to the shoulder  23  of the disk  17 . A second portion  29  is cylindrical and smooth for housing the toothing  25  of the disk  17 . A third portion  30  is cylindrical and smooth for housing the cylindrical portion  26  of the disk  17 .  
     [0033] When the disk  17  retains the plate  7  on the board  1 , as is the case in FIG. 3, the axis  31  of the disk  17  and the axis  32  of the opening  27  are substantially merged. The axes  31 ,  32  are also substantially perpendicular to the thickness of the plate  7 , on the one hand, and to the thickness of the disk  17 , on the other hand.  
     [0034] A mechanism makes it possible to lock or unlock the position of the plate  7  with respect to the disk  17 . This mechanism includes an arm  33  which has a toothed end  34 . The arm is housed in a channel  35  obtained, for example, in the form of a groove provided in the lower surface  18  of the plate  7 . The channel  35  is oriented longitudinally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis  32  of the opening  27  of the plate  7 .  
     [0035] According to the invention, the arm  33  is journalled with respect to the plate  7 , along an axis  36  substantially parallel to the thickness of the plate  7 . An elastic means, shown in the form of a spring  37 , biases the arm  33  such that the toothed end  34  of the arm  33  is engaged with the peripheral toothing  25  of the second portion  24  of the disk  17 . The arm  33  is flattened against the bottom  38  of the channel  35 . This situation corresponds to a locking state of the orientation device. The plate  7  cannot rotate with respect to the disk  17 .  
     [0036] The arm  33  is therefore naturally in a position that causes the plate  7  to be rotationally immobilized with respect to the disk  17 .  
     [0037] The user can unlock the orientation device to rotate the plate  7  with respect to the disk  17 , along the axes  31 ,  32 , as is better understood with reference to FIG. 4.  
     [0038] To this end, a handle  39  is connected to the arm  33 , the handle and the arm preferably forming a single piece. The shape of the handle  39  is provided such that the user can slip at least one finger into the cavity  40  of the handle  39 , and exert an unlocking force in the direction of the arrow. A traction on the handle  39  causes a rotation of the arm  33  along the axis  36 . Consequently, the toothed end  34  of the arm  33  is no longer engaged with the peripheral toothing  25  of the disk  17 .  
     [0039] In the unlocking position, the toothed end  34  of the arm  33  is opposite the third cylindrical portion  26  of the disk  17 . This is possible because the diameter of the third portion  26  is less than the diameter of the toothing  25  of the second portion  24 .  
     [0040] The user can cause the plate  7  to rotate with respect to the disk  17 , so as to orient the plate in relation to the board  1  along a selected direction. When this direction is obtained, it suffices to release the handle  39 . The spring  37  causes a return of the toothed end  34  toward the peripheral toothing  25 . If the teeth of the end  34  and of the periphery  25  are offset, then the toothed end  34  engages with the peripheral toothing  25 , i.e., in a locking position of the device.  
     [0041] This configuration is shown in a bottom view in FIG. 5.  
     [0042] If the teeth are in interference, then the toothed end  34  takes support on the peripheral toothing  25 . It then suffices to make the plate  7  rotate with respect to the disk  17  to offset the teeth and place the end  34  in engagement with the peripheral toothing  25 .  
     [0043] Preferably, the dimensions of the teeth, of the toothed end  34  of the arm  33  and of the peripheral toothing  25  are provided to obtain an angular pitch on the order of three degrees. This provides the device with an adequate precision.  
     [0044] Preferably, the profile of the teeth of the disk  17  is obtained by a generating line that is parallel to the axis  31  of the disk, and the profile of the teeth of the arm  33  is obtained by a generating line that is perpendicular to the thickness of the arm. The teeth of the disk  17  are therefore oriented radially with respect to the disk, and the teeth of the arm  33  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.  
     [0045] As is understood with reference to FIGS.  2 - 4 , the journal axis  36  of the arm  33  is contained in a plane that also contains the peripheral toothing  25  of the disk  17 . Thus, the displacement of the teeth of the end  34  of the arm  33  occurs substantially in a direction that is parallel to the axis  31  of the disk. This characteristic contributes to reducing the wear and tear of the teeth of the disk  17  and of the arm  33 .  
     [0046] Furthermore, as seen better in FIG. 1, the handle  39  is arranged laterally with respect to the binding, i.e., with respect to the angular orientation device, Thus, the user can maneuver the handle  39  and orient his foot even if the boot is retained on the plate  7 .  
     [0047] The second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 7.  
     [0048] In fact, this is an angular orientation device similar to the previous one. For this reason, only the differences are described.  
     [0049] A mechanism is provided to lock or unlock the device. The mechanism includes an arm  50  and a handle  51 , journalled with respect to one another by means of a pin  52  having an axis  53 . The length of the pin  52  is greater than the width of the arm  50 , such that the arm  50  is journalled on the plate of the device. The arm  50  has a toothed end  54  and a junction end  55 , the latter being bored to receive the pin  52 . The handle  51  is also bored for the passage of the pin  52 , and has an extension  56  provided to be housed in a cavity  57  of the arm  50 .  
     [0050] A first spring  58  constantly biases the arm  50 , upwardly toward the bottom of the channel receiving the arm. A second spring  59  constantly biases the handle  51 , such that a lower surface  60  of the handle is applied on the board on which the orientation device is mounted.  
     [0051] The mechanism enables a locking and an unlocking of the angular orientation device as explained hereinafter.  
     [0052] In the locking position, the base  60  of the handle  51  is biased toward the gliding board by the second spring  59 , and the first spring  58  maintains the toothed end  54  engaged with the peripheral toothing of the disk.  
     [0053] To unlock, a traction force applied on the handle  51  induces a displacement of the toothed end  54 , because an abutment  61  of the extension  56  presses on the wall  62  of the cavity  57 .  
     [0054] To lock, it suffices to release the handle  51 , as in the preceding example. If the teeth are offset, then the arm  50  and the handle  51  reassume the locking position.  
     [0055] If the teeth are then in interference, contrary to the preceding example, the handle  51  nevertheless reassumes the locking position. This is due to the action of the second spring  59 . It suffices to rotate the plate with respect to the disk to offset the teeth and to also replace the arm  50  in the locking position, due to the action of the first spring  58 .  
     [0056] This structure of the mechanism makes it possible, in the absence of an external force, to keep the handle  51  in constant contact with the board on which the device is mounted.  
     [0057] 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.  
     [0058] 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.  
     [0059] In particular, the number of teeth of the arm is not a set number. This number can vary, for example, from 1 to 20.  
     [0060] 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.  
     [0061] The arrangement of the portions of the disk  17  or of the portions of the opening  27  of the plate  7  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.  
     [0062] 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.