WO2006077180A1

WO2006077180A1 - Binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2006077180A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/050086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martino Fumagalli
Original assignee: Core S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-01-24
Filing date: 2006-01-09
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Also published as: ITMI20050091A1

Abstract

A binding (1) for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like, comprising a base body (2) which can be fixed to a snowboard (3) and the 5 like by means of an angular positioning disk (11), means (12,13) for fastening a shoe being associable with the base body (2); the base body (2) is provided with contact means (20) which can be fastened against the snowboard (3) and the like exclusively at regions located proximate to the angular positioning disk (11).

Description

BINDING FOR CONNECTING A SHOE TO A SNOWBOARD AND THE

LIKE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like. Background Art

As it is known, bindings used in snowboards generally are constituted by a base body provided with a central part to which sides are fixed for connecting the rear spoiler and the forward and front bands for retaining the shoe.

The central part of the base body has a central hole, with generally frustum-shaped edges, for engaging an angular positioning disk, which is fixed to the snowboard.

The central portion protrudes extensively with respect to the region affected by the positioning disk and is provided by means of a rigid structure which is fastened to the board, so as to constitute a stiffening element for the snowboard as well.

This fact is particularly negative, since it compromises, or in any case modifies, the possibility of the snowboard to flex freely when stressed, since in the region affected by the central part of the base body the board cannot flex because such plate is connected rigidly to the snowboard. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like which allows to minimize the stiffening produced by the central part of the base body of the binding, thus allowing improved flexing of the board during its use.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like which allows to reduce drastically the vibrations transmitted from the board to the binding, thus improving not only user comfort but also stability during use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like which, thanks to its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binding which can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is further competitive from a purely economic standpoint. This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like, which comprises a base body which can be fixed to a snowboard and the like by means of an angular positioning disk, means for fastening a shoe being associable with said base body, characterized in that said base body is provided with contact means which can be fastened against said snowboard and the like exclusively at regions located proximate to said angular positioning disk.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of the binding; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the binding;

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the binding; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the binding; Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a view of the rear slider for connecting the spoiler; Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views of a detail of the connection of the slider in two different operating positions. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the binding for connecting a shoe to a snowboard or the like, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a base body 2, which can be fixed to a snowboard and the like, generally designated by the reference numeral 3.

The base body is provided with a central portion 4, from which sides 5 protrude for connecting a spoiler or rear cuff 7, of a per se known type. The central portion 4 is provided with a circular opening 10 for coupling to an ordinary angular positioning disk 11, which can be fixed in a per se known manner to the board 3.

It is possible to associate with the base body 2 means for fastening a shoe, which are constituted for example by a forward band 12 and by a front band 13, which are not described in detail here as they are of a per se known type and in any case do not constitute an object of the invention.

The element that characterizes the invention is that the base body 2, at the lower face of the central portion 4 for connection to the board 3, is provided with contact means, which can be fastened to the snowboard 3 exclusively at regions which are located proximate to the angular positioning disk.

This fact is extremely important, since by reducing drastically the region of contact between the base body and the board 3, the board portions that are stiffened are reduced, and therefore there is no negative effect on the free flexibility of the board.

Such contact means are constituted by a ring 20, which surrounds the opening 10 and forms the contact region.

Moreover, as shown in the transverse cross-section of Figure 5, lateral edges 21 are provided, which affect the central portion of the longitudinal extension of the base body and provide contact of the base body on the binding.

Another important aspect of the invention is that elastic shock- absorbing means are provided which are connected to the lower face of the central portion of the base body. Such elastic shock-absorbing means are provided with two forward pads, designated by the reference numeral 30, which are provided with external borders 31, which provide contact between the base body and the board, thus constituting a shock-absorbing element.

There is also a rear pad 32, which is provided with lateral portions 33 which remain interposed between the base plate and the board, thus providing a rear shock-absorbing element.

The lateral portions 33 and the outer borders 31 are arranged advantageously on the extension of the lateral edges 21.

The forward pads 30 and the rear pad 32 are kept advantageously in position by a lower plate 34, which is connected to the lower face of the central portion 4 of the base body 2.

The rear pad 32 is provided with upper blocks 35, which protrude at the upper face of the central portion of the base body and in practice act against the sole of the shoe, thus providing a shock-absorbing element between the shoe and the binding.

The pads 30 and 32 can be obtained in various hardnesses, thus allowing to adjust the shock-absorbing effect as a function of the types required and of the build of the user.

Another important aspect of the invention is that the spoiler 7 is connected to the base body 2 by means of a rear slider or bracket 38, which is preferably made of aluminum and is provided with arms 40 which engage telescopically in seats 41 formed by the sides 5 of the base body.

The lateral arms 40 are provided with elongated slots for engagement with fixing pins which pass through through holes 43 formed in the sides 5 of the base body 2. The presence of elongated slots 42 on the arm 40 in combination with through holes 43 formed in the sides of the base body allows to provide a continuous adjustment of the position of the slider, which in practice can move telescopically. It should also be noted that at the region where the spoiler 7 is pivoted, the sides 5 have an elongated slot, designated by the reference numeral 45, in combination with a through hole 46 on the slider, which accordingly allows a positioning which corresponds to the position of the slider with respect to the base body. Fixing pins engage in the slots 45 and pass through through holes 46.

To complete the binding, a plate 50 is advantageously provided which is located at the forward part of the upper face of the central portion, so as to provide an extension with respect to the base body and cover the region affected by the angular positioning disk. From what has been described above, it is evident that the invention achieves the proposed aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a binding is provided which is structured so as to not hinder the flexibility of the board, since the regions of contact between the base body and the board are minimized, said contact regions inevitably constituting a stiffening element for the board.

Moreover, another important aspect is that shock-absorbing elements are provided which, in addition to improving comfort considerably for the skier, are particularly valid from a functional standpoint, since they increase significantly the stability of the assembly. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2005A000091 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A binding (1) for connecting a shoe to a snowboard and the like, comprising a base body (2) which can be fixed to a snowboard (3) and the like by means of an angular positioning disk (11), means (12, 13) for fastening a shoe being associable with said base body (2), characterized in that said base body (2) is provided with contact means (20) which can be fastened against said snowboard and the like exclusively at regions located proximate to said angular positioning disk (11).

2. The binding according to claim 1, characterized in that said contact means (20) comprise a ring which surrounds an opening (10) which accommodates said angular positioning disk (11).

3. The binding according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact means (20) comprise lateral edges (21), which affect the central portion of the longitudinal extension of said base body.

4. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises elastic shock-absorbing means (30, 32), which act between the lower face of said base body (2) and said snowboard (3) and the like.

5. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic shock-absorbing means (30, 32) comprise two forward pads (30) with outer borders (31) which provide contact between said base body (2) and said snowboard (3) and the like.

6. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic shock-absorbing means (30, 32) comprise a rear pad (32), which is provided with lateral portions (33) which can be interposed between said base body (2) and said snowboard (3) and the like.

7. The binding according to claim 6, characterized in that said lateral portions (33) and said outer borders (31) are aligned with said lateral edges (21).

8. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said forward pads (30) and said rear pad (32) are retained detachably by means of a lower plate (34), which can be connected to the lower face of a central portion (4) of said base body (2).

9. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear pad (32) is provided with upper blocks (35), which protrude at the upper face of the central portion of said base body (2), at the region of the heel of the shoe.

10. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pads (30, 32) have hardnesses which can be modified.

11. The binding according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rear slider (38), which is associated with said base body (2) for the connection of a spoiler (7), said slider (38) being provided with lateral arms (40) with elongated slots (42) for engagement with fixing pins which pass through through holes (43) formed in the sides (5) of said base body (2), corresponding elongated slots (45) being further provided on said sides (5), fixing pins engaging therein and passing through through holes (46) formed in said slider (38).