Snowboard binding

<u>Technical area</u>

0001The invention relates to the field of gliding sports, and more specifically he snowboards.

0002It concerns more particularly a snowboard binding which has advantageous arrangements at its front clamping strap.

<u>pRIOR ART</u>

0003Generally, snowboarding can be done either with rigid boots or shoes with flexible. In the latter case, the used attachment generally comprises a base secured to the board, and arrangements cooperating with the shoe. The fastener includes a plurality straps passing over the shoe, and a member clamping the latter on the base, and most often a highback intended to receive the supports directed backwards.

0004The majority of fasteners comprise two straps, namely a so-called strap "Backward", passing over the instep of the foot and a strap "before" coming squeeze the front of the boot, substantially at the articulation metatarsophalangeal.

0005This type of fixing, known as straps, the boot does not totally automatic, as is the case with fixings so-called "step-in" compatible with stiffer shoes. However, the need arises to facilitate boot operations, although there is a need for tightening the straps by a manual operation.

0006However, in most strap bindings, the front strap having a pivotability with respect to a transverse axis, so as to allow its tilting the front to the rear. This switching is desired to allow adapt to the size and shape of the shoe.

0007Some users are also able to slightly move the strap clamping depending on the morphology of their legs to optimize the tightening. This pivotability of the front strap fact that the latter may return folded back on the upper face of the base for receive the support of the sole. This therefore causes inconvenience to the user because before positioning the foot on the base, it must release the space correspondent under the strap and away.

0008The objective of the invention is to provide a fastener which leaves free in continuously the top face of the base, to allow the first phase of boot without user intervention on any part of the fixation. Another objective is to allow pivoting of the front strap, in particular to the contact of the base, by a forward movement to reduce the size of the attachment in the transport of the board.

<u>Disclosure of Invention</u>

0009The invention therefore relates to a snowboard binding that includes a strap for clamping the front part. In known manner, this strap is adapted to pivot relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis median of the binding.

0010According to the invention, this binding comprises means for limiting the pivoting of the strap relative to said axis, towards the rear.

0011In other words, the invention is to prevent tilting of the strap rearwardly so as to leave free the top face of the base, to allow the user with its sole in securing unhindered.

0012In a particular embodiment, the means for limiting the pivoting of the strap are formed by a protrusion of the end of at least one of the straps. This protrusion cooperates with a portion integral with the base, to abut against the latter when the strap is in position maximum rear pivot.

0013In practice, the characteristic means for limiting the pivot may be present on one side of the strap, or many two sides.

0014In a particular embodiment, the growth in area is a region of greater average distance from the pivot point the end of the strap. In other words, the end of the strap has a protuberance forming an enlarged area that blocks, by its size, the pivoting the strap by abutment on the base.

0015According to another characteristic of the invention, the attachment can also comprise means allowing the longitudinal displacement of points or pivoting of the strap relative to the base. Thus, the belt may not only rotate, but also translate longitudinally for varying its shape bearing on the shoe.

0016In this case, the portion of the base which forms the stop may advantageously be substantially parallel to the tilt direction of travel longitudinal pivot point of the strap.

0017In other words, the bearing zone forming a stop and receiving the protrusion of the strap form an inclined surface, preferably forwardly of the base, this inclination has the same value for different longitudinal positions anchoring of the strap on the side of the base, so that the limit position of rearward pivoting remains substantially the same, regardless of the position longitudinal strap.

<u>BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS</u>

0018The manner of implementing the invention, and the advantages thereof, apparent from the description of the embodiment that follows, in support of appended figures in which:<sl><li>Figure 1 is a side view of a binding according to the invention.</li><li>Figures 2 and 3 are detailed views and next to the cooperation area the end of the strap at the base.</li><li>Figure 4 is a side view and detail, similar to Figure 3, wherein the strap is in a longitudinal position more advanced.</li></sl>

<u>Embodiment of the invention</u>

0019As already stated, the invention relates to a snowboard binding, intended to accommodate so-called soft shoes.

0020The fastener (1) comprises, as shown in Figure 1, a base (2) the lower face (3) intended to come into contact with the upper face of the board, directly or via an adjustment drive, or any other complementary device. This support (1) comprises a rear portion gutter (4) for retaining the support from the shoe. this gutter (4) is, in the example illustrated, mounted articulated relative to a cradle (5). This arch also receives a strap (6) which is substantially located at the instep, and which includes a zone (7) of comfort, designed to impair the pressure exerted by the strap (6) on the foot during tightening of the strap.

0021According to the invention, the holder (1) also comprises a strap front (10) which is pivotable relative to the base (2) at several pivot points (11) located on either side of the base, at the level of elevated regions (13) on this base. As already explained, this pivoting is intended to allow, on one hand, the folding of the strap during transport, and on the other hand and above all, to allow to adjust the position of the upper part of the strap, and in particular of the support cushion (14) on the optimal region of the face upper of the shoe.

0022In the illustrated form, this pivot point (11) is movable longitudinally within the lumen (17) provided in the side area (13).

0023Multiple architectures may be provided for moving of these pivot points and their locking with respect to the base, without departing from scope of the invention.

0024According to one characteristic of the invention, and as shown in Figure 2, strap (6) has at its end (20) a protuberance (21), forming a zone prominent relative to the remainder (22) of the end of the strap, which, in the form illustrated a rounded shape, forming a circular arc substantially in center of the pivot point (11).

0025This protuberance (21) is adapted to cooperate with a zone forming an abutment (25) integral with the base. This stop (25) can be formed by a portion of the base obtained by molding, or by an insert at the front inner lateral region (13) of the base.

0026In the form shown, this stop (25) wife a wedge shape, the upper face (26) is adapted to receive support at its inner side (27) the projection (21).

0027Thus, as illustrated in FIG 3, when the strap (10) has pivoted to The rear surface (17) of the strap is in contact with the front of the upper face the stop (25), thus preventing the pivoting of the strap (10) further back. In practice, the boundary portion of the strap towards the rear is substantially vertical.

0028As illustrated in Figure 4, the stop (25) may have a length enough to be active regardless of the longitudinal position of point pivot (11), after translation in the port (17).

0029The inclination of the upper face (26) of the stop is selected to be substantially parallel to the direction of the axis (18) of the light (17). In this way, the inclination of the contact area between the belt and the abutment remains substantially constant, so that the rear pivot limit position of the strap remains Similarly, regardless of the longitudinal position of the strap (10).

0030Of course, the shape of the upper surface (26) of the abutment can be suitable in the case where light (17) is not substantially straight.

0031As already mentioned, the device characteristic can be installed either from a one side of the strap, or even on both sides, at the level of each of the pivoting ends of the strap.

0032It is preferable to generate the stop effect on one side in the case where it is desired use the existing strap portions, including those involving the locking means. We can choose instead to have the means to pivot limitation each side of the strap where it is desired achieve the desired effect even when both sides of the strap are dissociated, and that the locking means are not engaged.

0033It follows from the foregoing that the binding according to the present invention the advantage of leaving free the boot area while maintaining a front strap pivotally, which facilitates maneuvering of footwear.