Land vehicles – Skates – Shoe attaching means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-17
2001-08-14
Vanaman, Frank (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Skates
Shoe attaching means
C280S633000, C280S011360, C280S014220
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273450
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a retention device for a boot on a glide board. More specifically, it is related to the field of snowboarding.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
In snowboarding, the user's feet are affixed to a board in a position that is substantially transverse with respect to the longitudinal direction of the board. The boots as well as the devices for retaining boots on the glide board must be able to provide adequate comfort to the user, and allow him to steer the board correctly under all circumstances. In order to fulfill these requirements, it is desirable for the boot to be relatively flexible so that the user can walk easily, and so that he/she can bend his/her legs towards the front or to the sides while steering the board, or while executing jumps or figures.
It is also desirable that each retention device allows the user to take rearward support with the lower part of the leg, especially during turns or when the user's back faces a slope.
Prior art documents have suggested retention devices for a flexible boot that allows the user to bend his/her leg towards the front or to the sides, while at the same time providing adequate rearward support.
In particular, the French Patent Publication No. 2746604 discloses a device comprising a base that is extended towards the rear by a portion of the heel support, a dorsal support element being journalled on the heel support portion along an axis contained in the median vertical plane of the base. This device comprises an elastic return means that elastically resists the inclination of the dorsal support element along one of the lateral sides of the device by rotation about the axis when a boot that is retained on the base is tipped.
The device disclosed in French Patent Publication No. 2746604 is very satisfactory in the help that it provides to the user while snowboarding, and is especially satisfactory in terms of safety.
However, this device does not allow the dorsal support element to perfectly follow the movements of the lower part of the user's leg, especially in the direction of a lateral inclination, because the structure of the ankle journal induces complex movements of the bone which are different from a simple rotation about an axis.
As a result, the dorsal support element rubs against the boot or the lower part of the user's leg, thereby hindering the steering.
In addition, this device is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned device.
To this end, the present invention proposes a retention device for a boot on a glide board intended to be used for snowboarding, the device comprising a base intended to receive the sole of the boot, and a dorsal support element on which the upper of the boot is intended to rest, a raised portion of the heel support extending the base upwardly towards the rear of the device, the dorsal support element including a top part and a bottom part connected to the base, the top and bottom parts being relatively stiff.
According to the invention, an intermediate deformable part of the dorsal support element is located between the top and bottom parts, the intermediate part allowing for an inclination of the top part with respect to the bottom part along at least one transverse direction of the device.
The intermediate deformable part allows the dorsal support element to faithfully follow the movements of the lower part of the leg with respect to the foot, not being constrained to move about a single pivot axis. Therefore, the dorsal support element does not rub against the boot or the lower part of the leg. The advantageous result thereof is that the steering of the board becomes easier.
Further according to the invention, the intermediate deformable part includes at least one rib that is used to stiffen the dorsal support element along the longitudinal direction of the foot. The user can thus take rearward support in order to execute edge settings.
Preferably according to the invention, the intermediate deformable part includes five ribs demarcating spaces. This structure improves the ability of the dorsal support element to follow the lateral inclination movements of the user's legs.
Also preferably according to the invention, the ratio of the width of a rib as compared to the thickness of the same rib is greater or equal to five. This structure provides a good compromise between the rearward stiffness and the lateral flexibility of the dorsal support element.
Still further according to the invention, two juxtaposed ribs have opposing faces, forming an angle between zero and eight degrees.
The angle of the faces makes it easier to remove snow when the dorsal support element is deformed laterally.
Preferably according to the invention, the dorsal support element is made all in one piece, or unitary, thus making its structure simple.
Also, the dorsal support element is preferably made of a plastic material, which allows the manufacturing costs to be reduced.
According to a variation, at least one space of the intermediate deformable part of the dorsal support element is at least partially filled by a material that is different from the component material of the dorsal support element. This allows for a symmetrical or asymmetrical adjustment of the lateral deformation capacity of the dorsal support element.
On the other hand, the dorsal support element is journalled on the base along a substantially transverse axis of the device. As a result, the user can fold his/her equipment for storage.
Finally, according to the invention, the raised portion of the heel support limits any displacement of the dorsal support element along the axis in a front to rear direction. Consequently, the user can bend his/her legs towards the front and take stiff rearward supports.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3303584 (1967-02-01), Werner et al.
patent: 4199879 (1980-04-01), Wegeng
patent: 5175948 (1993-01-01), Tonel et al.
patent: 5609347 (1997-03-01), Dressel
patent: 5713587 (1998-02-01), Morrow et al.
patent: 5832635 (1998-11-01), Finney et al.
patent: 5901469 (1999-05-01), Saillet
patent: 5926979 (1999-07-01), Borel
patent: 5947487 (1999-09-01), Keleny et al.
patent: 5967531 (1999-10-01), Saillet
patent: 2146187 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 3622746 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 2719197 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 2746604 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 406121862A (1994-05-01), None
patent: 406178701A (1994-06-01), None
Challande Christian
Ragot Cedric
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Salomon S.A.
Vanaman Frank
LandOfFree
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