Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The present invention relates to a device for
holding an object, more particularly a boot, to a means of
support such as a ski, the device holding the boot to the
support with suff;c;ent force to prevent the boot and
support from becoming separa~ed, while also making a safety
release possible.
The invention relates more particularly to the
holding of an object between two parts, at least one of which
is movable in relation to the other, one of the parts being
a means of support for the objec~, more particularly a ski,
while the other is a pressure part hinged to the ~eans of
support and designed to be applied to the obiect to be held, ..
the device comprising, furthermore, a resilient means acting
between the two elements mobile in relation to each other and
designed to apply to the object, through one of the elements~
an intermediate resilient force in a specific direction.
Holding devices meeting the above definition are
already known, but the designs thereof are relatively complex
since they call for a large number of parts moving in relation
to each other, especially hinged or sliding supports governed
by one or more springs9 in addition to stops designed to
limit the movement of the various parts.
Such structurally complex devices are naturally
expensive to manufacture, and the larger the number of parts
moving in relation to each other, the greater the risk of
malfunction.
It is an object of the present invention to eliminate
these disadvantages by providing a holding device of simple
and rugged design which requires a minimum of parts moving in
relation to each other, and which is characterized mainly in
that the resilient means used in the holding device according
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to the invention comprises at least:
- two pivoting parts accommodated in one of the two elements
on axes arranged substantially parallel with, and spaced from
each other;
- and a connecting part uniting the pivoting parts and
connecting them to the other element.
Where the element constituting the means of support
has a longitudinal axis running in the direction in which the
object is to be held, the axes of the pivoting parts may run
at right angles to ~he longitudinal axis of the means of
support and may be located9 according to a -first embodiment,
~ in a plane parallel with that of the element constituting the
: means of support.
According to one particularly simple embodiment of
the invention, the element constituting the pressure part is
integral with the connecting part of the resilient rneans
uniting the pivoting parts. More particularly, the resilient
means and pressure part may be in ~he form of a single rodshaped to provide a central loop running above the plane of
the means of support and two parallel pivoting sections
extending the loop on each side, the pivoting sections being
arranged to pivot in corresponding housings provided in the
means of support.
In this way, the shaped-rod unit, when mounted upon
the means of support, is in stable equilibrium, and any ac~ion
upon one part of the rod involves a reversible resilient .
deformation of at least one part thereof.
Where the device according to the inver,tion is to be
used to hold the front part of a boot, it is desirable for the
transverse portion of the central loop to be raised above the
ski and to act as the pressure part proper, the transverse
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portion being extended by two arms substantially perpendicular
to each of the pivoting parts.
According to another embodiment9 the device according
to the invention may serve as a stop for the front of the boot,
allowing lateral release. In this case, the devicP consists of
two independent shaped rods arranged upon each side of the
longitudinal axis of ~he means of support. In this embodiment,
it is desirable tha~ the pressure part be in the form of an
extension of at least one of the pivoting parts.
The device according to the invention may also
comprise a jaw which is movable in relation to the means of
support and is designed to cooperate with the rear of the boot,
the jaw being urged into a specific position by a resilient
means consisting of at least one rod shaped to provide a
central loop terminating in two cylindrical sections parallel
with, and spaced from, each o~her. Depending upon the
circumstances, the pivoting sections may be mounted upon the
means of support, while the central loop holds the jaw and
allows it to pivot or, if the central loop is allowed to pivot
upon the means of support, the jaw is mounted upon two pivoting
sections.
In any case, and in all possible embodimen~s, the
power allowing the pressure part to apply a holding force to
the boot is provided by resilient deformation of a rod shaped
to present a stable condition.
It will be noted that the loop9 with its sections,
could with advantage be shaped in such a manner that the fact
OT mounting it upon the means of support produces a pre-load
by displacement of the sections. However, this pre-load is
not indispensable~ and it is possible to mount the resilient
means in such a manner that the spacing of these pivoting
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sect;ons on the means of support is ;dentical with that existing
when the resilient means is removed from 'he means of support.
A description will now be given, as non-restrictive
examples, of a plurality of embodiments of the invention, with
reference to the drawings attached hereto, where;n:
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the
invention designed, more particularly9 to hold the front of
the boot with no release,
Figure 2 shows a variant of the device illustrated
in Fig. l;
Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment designed to hold
the front of the boot and to provide for a safety release;
F;gure 4 is another embodiment of a device designed
to hold the front of the boot and to provide for a safety
releasei
Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment comprising a jaw
designed to cooperate with the rear of the booti
Figure 6 is a variant of the device illustrated in
Fig. 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a device having a jaw designed
to cooperate with the rear of the boot and to provide for
safety releases;
Figures 8 and 9 ;llustrate another embodimen~ of a
device having a jaw designed to cooperate with the rear of the
boot, shown in two extreme positions.
As already indicated, these variants of the device
according to the invention may be used to obtain adaptation~
by automatie control, of the holding system to various types
of boots, especially to cover soles of different thicknesses,
or to obtain lateral~ vertical 9 or longitud;nal reten~ion of
the boot, with or without safety release.
It should be noted that the device accord;ng to the
invention may be used, either directly upon a ski or upon an
intermediate plate fitted temporarily under the boot and
releasable, in relation to the ski, by means oF bindings of
5 conventional des;gn, or for any object requ;ring retention 9
more particularly for drilling templets for fitting bindings
to a ski, for ;ce cramponsg for supports for transporting
boots, for roller skates, for ice skates, etc.
However, for the purpose of explaining the ;nvent;on
clearly~ it will be assumed herein that the device cooperates
with a means of support which is a ski.
In Fig. 1, reference 1 indicates a part of the ski
to which a baseplate 3 ;s secured by means of screws 2, the
baseplate having two housings of circular cross-section running
at right angles to the longitudinal axis XX' of the ski~ The
housings are therefore parallel with, and spaced from, each
other by a specific distance.
A cylindrical rod, generally denoted 5, is shaped to
provide a central portion 6 extended by two arms 7,7' bent in
such a manner that end-sections 8,9 run parallel with the
inside of housing 4,4' in the baseplate, in which they are
free to turn. Transverse portion 6, designed to serve as a
pressure part, is therefore raised above the plane of the ski
when in the neutral position. Shaped rod 5 ~hus presents a
stable position which allows thé ski to be put on.
It will be understood that it is merely necessary to
engage the tip of the boot in the loop formed by transverse
portion 6 and arms 7,7'; the thrust of the boot against loop 6
thus tends to depress it in the direction of arrow F. However,
pivots 8 and 9, as a result of their special arrangement, will
resiliently oppose this displacement ;n the direction of arrow
-- 5
F and will tend to restore loop 6 to its initial position, thus
applying, to the sole of the boot, a force F' in a direction
opposite to that of arrow F.
As may be seen in Fig. 1, sections 8,9 are ;n a plane
parallel with the plane of the ski, whereas arms 7,7' are not
parallel.
On the other hand, in the embodiment illustrated in
Fig. 2, end-sect;ons 10,11 of shaped rod 12 are at all times
parallel but are located in a plane P forming an angle with
the upper plane of ski 1.
As shown in Fig. 2, arms 13,13' and cross member 14
of the shaped rod, may also be located in plane P, but it will
be understood that this need not be so.
The method of operation of the device in Fig. 2 is
identical with that of the device in Fig. 1.
Figs. 3 and 4 are two embodiments of a device
according to the invention which holds the front of the boot
and makes lateral release possible.
According to Fig. 3, a substantially vertical plate
15 is secured to ski 1, the plate supporting9 on each side of
the longitudinal axis XX' of the ski, two symmetrically shaped
rods 16,16'. Each of ~hese rods has two end-sections 17917'
and 18,18' arranged to pivot vertically in a corresponding
housing in plate 15. These pivoting sections are therefore
located in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the ski and
at right angles to axis XX'.
End-sections 17918 and 17'~ 18' are connected by a
substantially vertical loop having a lower arm 19,19' and an
upper arm 20,20', arms 19 and 20 being united by a central
portion 21, and arms 19' and 20' being united by a central
portion 21'. Plate 15 is provided with an upper aperture 22
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allowing upper arms 20,20' ~o pass. Plate 15 also has a lower
aperture 23 through which lower arms 19 and 19' can pass and
in which the arms can move.
The front of the sole of the boot is engaged in
loops 16,16' in such a manner that upper arms 20,20' bear
against the upper part of the sole, whereas central portions
21, 21' bear against the vertical portion of the sole. The
front part of the boot is thus held vertically and laterally.
Release of the boot in the event of torsion in the
plane of the ski is produced by resilient deformation and dis-
placement of one of loops 16,16'.
It should be noted that one variant, not shown, makes
it poss;ble to use a single rod instead of two, by eliminating
sections 17917' and connecting arms 19,19' by a horizontal
crosspiece.
Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the device
according to the invention which also holds the front of the
boot and provides for la~eral release thereof.
This embodiment also comprises two shaped rods
mounted in a vertical plane 24, running transversely of the
sk;, and be;ng symmetrical in relation to the long;tudinal
axis XX' thereof.
A detailed description will now be given of one of
` the shaped rods, for instancP the left-hand rod in Fig. 4.
The rod has an end-section 25 arranged to pivot in
a housing in plate 24 arranged in a plane parallel with the
plane of ski 1, the housing running parallel with the longi-
tudinal ax;s XX' nf the ski. End-section 25 is extended by
an arm 26 running substantially vertically, then by a section
27 located above plate 24. This is extended by a second arm 28
extended in turn by a pivoting section 29 turning in a hous;ng
in plate 24 running parallel with the housing accommodating
section 25.
Pivoting section 29 projects towards the rear of the
ski and is bent in the form of a handle having a port;on 30 ;n
a substantially vertical plane, followed by an end 31 sub-
stantially parallel with the plane of the ski.
It is desirable that end 31 be fitted with a sleeve
or sheath 32 made of a plastic material, for example.
It will be noted that end 31 preferably forms an
angle of about 45 with the vertical plane of symmetry of the
ski passing through axis XX'.
Location and retention of the boot upon the ski is
effected by sleeves 32 bearing against the front end of the
sole.
With reference to Figs. 5 to 9, a description will
now be given of the device according to the invention when the
rear of the boot is held to the ski.
In all of these embodiments the pressure part is in
the form of a jaw which rocks in relation to the ski.
In Fig. 5, the pressure part, generally marked 33,
comprises a jaw 34 designed to cooperate with the top of the
sole, an automatic step-in pedal 35, and a lever 36 for
voluntarily releasing the boot.
Secured to ski 1 is a baseplate 37 having two
housings 38,38' of substantially circular cross-section running
parallel with each other and at right angles to the longitudinal
axis XX' o~ the ski. These housings accommodate pivoting ends
39~39' of a cyl;ndrical rod shaped and bent to provide~ as an
extension of each end 39,39', arms 40,40'9 the arms being
united by a cross-piece 41 which is raised above the ski and
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upon whi ch is rotatably mounted the pressure part 33.
It w;ll be noted that, although ;n the des;gn shown
in Fig. 5, lever 36, which allows the jaw to be opened, is
integral with the remainder of the pressure part, the lever
5 might, with advantage, be hinged in relation to the pressure
part, thus pivot;ng e;ther about cross-p;ece 41 or about another
axis provided for the purpose. The rotary movement of the lever
would then be limited by stops integral with the pressure part.
In Fig. 6, pressure part 42, which also compr;ses
a jaw 43, a step-in pedal 44, and a voluntary release lever
45, is supported above ski 1 by a cylindrical rod shaped to
fnrm two loops, one connected to the other.
To be more pree;se, the shaped rod has a first sect;on
46 housed p;votably ;n a housing ;n base-plaste 47. Th;s
section is extended by a first arm 48 which is extended, in
turn, by a first cross-piece 49, followed by a second arm 50
bent to form a second p;voting section 51 accommodated in base-
plate 47 in a housing runn;ng parallel with the housing
accommodat;ng housing 46~ and terminating in a cross-p;ece 53
parallel w;th cross-p;ece 49.
Cross-pieces 49 and 53 of the shaped rod are housed
so that they turn freely in corresponding passages in pressure
part 42.
It w;ll be observed that, in th;s particular
embod;ment, sec~ions 46,51 and cross-pieces 49,53 are parallel
with, and spaced from, each other and run at right angles to
the longitudinal axis XX' of the ski.
In F;g. 7, a pressure part 54, similar to that in
Fig. 5, ;s held above the sk; by a shaped cylindr;cal rod
having a cross-p;ece 55 arranged to rotate freely in a corre-
spond;ng hous;ng in a base-plate 56 secured to the ski, the
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cross-piece running at right angles to axis XX' of the ski.
Cross-piece 55 is extended on each side by arms 57,58
bent at their ends to provide pivoting sections 59,60 which are
parallel with, and spaced from, each other, the sections being
housed rotatably in corresponding housings in pressure part 54.
With the device in its neutral position, in order to
prevent the pressure part from dropping onto the sk;~ stops
61962, integral with base-pla~e 56, support lateral arms 57,58
of the shaped rod.
It will be noted thatg as in the preceding embodiments~
pressure part 54 comprises a jaw 63, an automatic step-in pedal
64, and a lever 65 for manual release.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, a -
pressure element 6 is arranged ~o rock about an axis 67 in
base-plate 68, the axis running at right angles to the longi-
tudinal axis XX' of the ski. This pressure part h~s a jaw 69
and an automatic step-in pedal 70, and it cooperates with a
resilient means in the form of a cylindrical rod shaped, as in
Fig. 5, to ~orm two parallel end-sections perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis XX' of the ski, the sections 71,72 being
arranged to rotate in corresponding housings in the base-plate.
Each section 71,72 is extended by a lateral arm 73,74;
these two arms being arranged on each side of axis XX', and
being united by a central cross-piece 75 housed movably in a
; 25 slot 76 arranged in pressure part 66.
Slot 76 comprises a ramp 77 designed to cooperate
- with cross-piece 75 in order to hold and release the boot.
A manual release lever 78 is integral with cross-piece 75 and
extends through a slot 79 in pressure part 66.
- 30 In the position shown in Fig. 89 jaw 69 of pressure
part 66 holds the boot to the ski, the shaped rod urging the
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pressure part in the direction of arrow F, since it tends to
assume the stable position shown in Fig. 8. The cooperation
between cross-piece 75 and ramp 77 thus urges jaw 69 in a
downward d;rection, i.e. into the position in which the boot
is held to the ski.
The boot is released agains~ the resilient action of
the shaped rod9 either by pushing back jaw 69~ in the event
of a safety release, or by actuating lever 78, in the case of
a voluntary release. In the latter case, moving lever 78 in
the direction of arrow P causes pressure part 66 to assume
the position shown in Fig. 9.
