WO2007118998A2

WO2007118998A2 - Safety retaining device for a shoe on a gliding board

Info

Publication number: WO2007118998A2
Application number: PCT/FR2007/000611
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Damiani; Emmanuel Gaudin
Original assignee: Salomon S.A.
Priority date: 2006-04-13
Filing date: 2007-04-11
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: FR2899821A1; WO2007118998A3; FR2899821B1

Abstract

Device for retaining a shoe (2) on a gliding board (1) comprising a jaw (15) intended to engage with a tip (41, 42) of said shoe (2) and able to move relative to said tip of said shoe, and a trigger mechanism enabling said jaw (15) to move, said trigger mechanism including an actuator component (30) made of a shape memory alloy with an electric current passing therethrough, generated by an electronic circuit (32), powered by a battery and including a dc-dc converter (34), a transformer (36), a rectifier (37) and a capacitor (38).

Description

Safety retainer of a shoe on a gliding board

The present invention relates to a safety retaining device for a boot on a gliding board, in particular on a ski.

For the practice of skiing it is known to use releasable safety retaining devices which release the boot at the request of the user and / or depending on the forces to which the user's leg, the shoe, restraining elements and / or ski.

Document FR 2 843 037 describes a safety retaining device which comprises a front jaw triggerable according to forces measured by means of strain gauges placed under the front retention element. The trigger mechanism of the jaw uses a jack powered by a pressure tank.

EP 968 742 discloses a safety retainer which comprises a spring-biasing front retaining member, a spring-releasable retaining member and an electronically controllable additional triggering device and which is powered by an electromagnet.

All the actuation systems of the safety retaining devices for ski boots have drawbacks which the present invention proposes to remedy.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for retaining the safety of a boot on a gliding board which makes it possible to overcome the limitations posed by the devices known in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a ski boot retaining device on a gliding board that is safe, reliable, inexpensive in energy.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a triggering device for a shoe safety retainer on an electronically controllable gliding board that consumes little energy and is insensitive to shock so as to avoid triggering. untimely.

The object of the invention is obtained by providing a device for retaining a boot on a gliding board comprising a jaw intended to come into contact with a tip of said shoe and capable of being driven by relative movement relative to said tip of said shoe and a trigger mechanism for moving said jaw and comprising an actuator member made of a material capable of reversibly deformed under the effect of a thermal stress and able to recover its initial form once the thermal stress has ceased to produce its effects.

Preferably, said material is a shape memory alloy and said thermal stress is generated by an electronic circuit which delivers in a very short time a large electric current through said actuator member. Preferably said electronic circuit is powered by a battery and a chopper, a transformer, a rectifier and a capacitor.

In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator member is in the form of a blade.

In another embodiment of the invention, the actuator member is in the form of a wire.

Figure 1 is a general view of the device of the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view of the trigger block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view and a partial sectional view of the block of FIG. 2.

Figure 4 illustrates the first phase of release of the front jaw.

Figure 5 shows the trigger block with the front jaw open.

Figure 6 shows the diagram of the electrical circuit.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the additional trigger device according to the second embodiment of the invention, when in the "closed" position.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, when the additional trigger device is in the "open" position.

Figures 10a, 10b, 10c are schematic views showing the operation of the actuator member of the trigger mechanism at different stages.

FIG. 1 represents the central portion of a ski 1 surmounted by a shoe 2. The boot is retained on the ski by its two end pieces, the rear end piece 41 and the front end piece 42 which are retained by retaining elements back and front 3 and 4.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the rear retaining element 3 comprises a rear retaining block 6 articulated with respect to a stirrup 7. The stirrup is pivotally mounted relative to a rear support plate 10 of the rear part of the shoe. The rear plate 10 is fixed integrally to the ski by any appropriate means and for example by screws, by gluing or welding. The rear retaining block 6 has a rear shoe retaining jaw 8 and an operating lever 9 integral with the block to force the tilting of the rear jaw 8 between a retaining position of the rear shoe tip and a position of release of this tip. In Figure 1, the retaining block is in the retaining position of the shoe.

The construction of this rear element is not limiting and other modes of construction may be suitable. For example instead of having a one-piece jaw lever assembly one could have two separate elements. Also, the rear retaining block here is non-releasable could be replaced by a releasable element ensuring the release of the shoe beyond a determined threshold of stress.

The front retainer comprises a front retainer block 11 which will now be described and a processing circuit to be described later.

The front retaining block comprises a lower front plate 12. On the rear, the front plate 12 has a plate 14 for supporting the boot. As there is no movement between the shoe and its support plate 14 before the release of the shoe, the plate 14 does not present any particular construction constraint. In particular, it is not necessary to provide an anti-friction material on the upper surface of the plate. Also, there is less constraint of construction and material in the shoe.

A front jaw 15 for retaining the front end of the boot is hinged to the front plate 12.

The jaw 15 is here a one-piece element comprising two lateral wings 16 and 17 of lateral retention of the boot, and a sole clamp 18 vertical restraint. The frontal retention of the shoe is performed by the lower part of the front jaw in contact with the sole of the shoe or by the central part of the sole clamp in contact with the upper of the shoe.

The base of the jaw 15 is hinged to the front plate 12 about a first transverse and horizontal axis. For example, as shown, the base of the jaw has a reduced width, and the plate comprises a well 22 in which is engaged the base of the jaw 15. The axis 20 connects the base of the front jaw to the borders side of well 22.

The dimensions of the well 22 in the longitudinal direction are determined to allow the jaw to freely pivot between a holding position where the jaw is vertically erected, the jaw is shown in this position in FIGS. 1 to 4, and a position of release where the jaw is tilted forward, Figure 5 illustrates this position. Preferably, stops limit the tilting of the jaw beyond each of these two positions. These stops are for example the longitudinal edges of the well 22. Any other stop may also be suitable.

To facilitate the opening of the jaw upon release, the first axis 20 is located in the front part of the jaw, in front of the wings and the sole clamp. Also preferably the lateral trailing edges of the wings and the departure of the sole clamp are inclined. In this way, the release of the jaw a lateral or vertical bias of the shoe tends to tilt the jaw in its open position.

To facilitate the opening of the jaw, may be provided a spring, for example a torsion spring mounted on the first axis 20. Such a spring is not visible in the figures.

A two-limb flipper 25 controls the opening of the front jaw 15 in the manner of a latch. The rocker is articulated about a second transverse axis 26 carried by the body 27 of the trigger block. In the jaw holding position illustrated in FIG. 3, the rocker holds the front jaw 15 by its upper branch 28. The branch is oriented in such a way that the support of the jaw generates a force component which passes through the jaw. axis 26 so that the rocker works in the manner of a lock. The length of the leg 28 is determined to lock the jaw in its upright restraint position by preventing its tilting forward.

To release the front jaw, the branch 28 is tilted upwardly about the second axis 26 as shown in Figure 4. The front jaw thus released has the possibility of tilting forward by engaging under the branch 28 as the shows figure 5.

A stop may be provided, for example, from the body to limit the tilting stroke of the branch 28.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the end of the leg 28 carries a roller 29 in contact with the front jaw.

The rocker is resiliently biased into its position of retaining the front jaw by a first spring 13, and is held in this position by a stop which is for example derived from the body 27.

The movement of the rocker 25 in its release position of the jaw is itself controlled by lever 23, a notch 24 of which is provided to come into contact with the lower branch 35 of the rocker 25.

The triggering lever 23 is pivotally mounted about a third axis 19. The first end of the lever 23, which is directed towards the jaw 15, is pressed upwards by a second spring 21. The first end also comprises a detent 24 in the neutral position and rest, the lever 23, pressurized by the second spring 21 is supported on the lower branch 35 of the rocker 25 and thus, the notch 24 prevents any tilting forward of the lower branch 35 of the rocker 25.

The second end of the lever 23 is located near an actuator member 30. The actuator member 30 comprises a blade 31 made of a material capable of deforming in a substantial proportion and reversibly under the effect of a thermal stress. We can also replace the blade with a wire, which is sized to have the same function as the blade.

The deformation of the blade must be such that it generates a pivoting movement of the lever 23. On the other hand, it must generate a sufficiently strong torque to counter the force of the second spring 21 and thus release the lower branch 35 of the tipper 25 of the retention by the notch 24.

The device is completed by an electronic circuit 32 schematized by the letter C in the figures. The electronic circuit 32 delivers a high power electric discharge of the order of several tens of watts, which passes through the blade 31 so as to subject it to a thermal stress sufficient to generate its deformation. FIG. 6 diagrammatically represents the electric circuit 32. H comprises a power supply 33, for example a 1.5 V battery, or any equivalent device. The direct current delivered by the power supply is converted into an alternating current by a chopper 34. The transformer 36 raises the voltage, for example to a value of 300 V. After having rectified this voltage thanks to the rectifier 37, this load is stored in a capacitor 38. On command, this charge is released in the actuator member 30, here the blade. The switch 39 is controlled by a control device, which can operate at the request of the user and / or depending on the forces to which the shoe, the user, the retaining elements and / or the ski can be subjected.

The specificity of the circuit 32 is that of being a circuit capable of starting from an on-board power source, here a low-power battery, of providing in a very short period of time, in particular less than 1 / 10th of a second. very important energy. This circuit works a bit like camera flashes.

The blade 31 which constitutes the actuator member 30 is made of a shape memory alloy.

Shape memory alloys (A.M.F.) comprise a set of metal alloys having various properties; and in particular superelasticity, which means that the alloy is able to deform in a reversible manner under the effect of a stress; but also, the single-sense memory effect, which means that the alloy is able to recover its original shape after a mechanical or thermal deformation.

For shape memory alloys that may be used in the context of the invention, and in a nonlimiting manner, there is the nickel-titanium alloy, which has good performance, both in fact simple form memory meaning that in superelasticity. With this alloy, due to certain characteristics, it is possible to produce fine wires (0.1 mm), sheets (0.5 mm) and tubes (outer diameter 0.2 mm). In addition it has a very good resistance to corrosion. To improve certain properties of this alloy, it is possible to add in a small amount a third element such as copper (Cu), nobium (Nb), iron (Fe), platinum or palladium. It is also possible to use copper-based alloys such as Cu-Zn-Al (copper-zinc-aluminum), Cu-Al-Ni (copper-aluminum, nickel), or Cu-Al-Be ( copper-aluminum-beryllium). Or ferrous alloys such as Fe-Mn-Si alloys (iron-manganese-silicon).

The trigger block operates as follows. At the engagement of the shoe, the front jaw 15 is held in the retaining position by the rocker 25, the skier engages the shoe in the front jaw and immobilizes the boot on the ski using the rear retaining block 6.

To release the shoe, the control device controls the closing of the switch 39. The capacitor 38 discharges through the blade 31, which has the effect of raising the temperature. Under the effect of this thermal stress, the blade 31 deforms and forces the lever 23 to rock to release the engagement between the notch 24 and the branch 35 of the rocker 25. Pushed by the first spring 13, the rocker 25 is pushed into its release position. Figure 4 describes the system at this point in time. No longer held by the rocker 25, the jaw 15 which can then swing forward is driven by a pivoting movement relative to the front end 42 of the boot 2.

As soon as the thermal stress disappears, the actuator member 30 returns to its original shape. The lever 25 then resumes its neutral rest position thanks to the second spring 21. However, the rocker can itself remain in the release position thanks to the pressure exerted by the first spring 13 as shown in FIG.

Figures 7 to 10a, b, c describe a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a gliding apparatus comprising a partially drawn ski 1, a triggerable front retaining element 3, a triggerable rear retaining element 4 and an additional triggering device 40.

The front retaining element 3 is constituted by a conventional mechanical triggering front stop, that is to say that the front retaining element 3 is triggered when the forces to which it is subjected are greater than the prestressing value d a first spring which is placed in the front retainer 3.

The rear retaining element 4 is constituted by a conventional mechanical mechanical rear heel, that is to say that the rear retaining element 4 is triggered when the forces to which it is subjected are greater than the prestress value d a second spring placed there. The rear retainer includes a jaw 15 that will pivot about a transverse axis to release the ski boot.

The front retaining element 3, respectively the rear retaining element 4, is fixed on a front interface element 45, respectively a rear interface element 46, which is fixed on the ski 1. These interfaces can be removed. .

In the configuration described here, when the skier's leg is subjected to forces oriented in the horizontal plane of the ski, including twisting forces around a vertical axis, it is the front retention element 2 which triggers and release the shoe. When the skier's leg is subjected to forces oriented in a vertical plane, it is the rear retaining element that triggers.

Of course, this configuration is not limiting and any configuration of retaining element mechanical trigger is possible.

The rear retaining element 4 comprises a slideway 47 in which the body of the rear retaining element 4 can slide.

The additional trigger device 40 comprises an actuator box 48, a control box 49 and a front sensor 50, respectively rear 51, placed in the front interface element 45, respectively the rear interface element 46.

The control box 49 comprises an electronic circuit and a man / machine interface device including a display. The actuator housing 48 is connected to the body of the rear retaining element by a rod 52 capable of moving longitudinally by driving the body of the rear retaining element 4, which slides in the slideway 47.

When the front 50 or rear 51 sensors measure a force exceeding a certain threshold, the electronic circuit of the control box generates an order of actuation of the rod 52, which moves the body away from the rear retention element 4 of the element retainer 2 before, by sliding the rear retaining element 4 in the slideway 47.

The jaw 15 is moved in translation relative to the rear end 41 of the shoe.

Figures 8 and 9 describe the actuating box of the actuating device in the "closed" position and then in the "open" position.

This comprises a block 53 receiving the various parts constituting the actuator housing 8. The block 53 comprises a longitudinal housing in which the rod 52 can penetrate. At the end of this housing is a vertical well receiving a trigger 54.

The trigger 54 is a rotary trigger. Its upper part comprises a notch 55 and its lower part comprises a first pad 56. The use of a rotary actuator makes the system particularly insensitive to mechanical shocks to which the gliding board could be subjected, for example during storage of the skis. In this way, nuisance tripping is avoided.

The additional trigger device also includes a latch 57, an electric battery 59, a switch 60 and a return spring 58. The return spring 58 is secured between the latch 57 and the rotary trigger 54 to which it is attached via The actuator member 30 which controls the trigger 54 is constituted by a wire 62 of shape memory alloy, which may be chosen from the alloys listed earlier in the description.

An electrical circuit 32 similar to that described in Figure 6 is connected to both ends of the wire 62, so that a capacitor can discharge into the wire 62 on demand. On the other hand, one end of the wire 62 is mechanically secured to the block 53, while the other is mechanically secured to the rotary release 54.

The wire 62 is made as the blade 31, previously described from a shape memory alloy (AMF). It is wrapped around the trigger 54. At room temperature, that is to say for a winter sport type of use, in a temperature range between -20 ° C and 30 ° C the wire is flexible. The wire 62 may have a round section or any other profile. When the tripping order is given, the electronic circuit 32 discharges a high power through the wire 62, which subjects it to a high thermal stress and heated up instantly. The thread finds a memorized form and becomes very rigid.

The memorized shape of the wire 62 is such that in its movement to reach this shape, the wire 62 causes the trigger 54 to make a quarter turn. A cylindrical pin 61 is fixed to the end of the rod 52. In the closed position, this pin 61 is received in the notch 55 of the trigger 54.

The additional triggering device is shown in FIG. 8, in the "closed" position. In this position the trigger 54 has an angular position such that the pin 61 can not escape from the notch 55. When in this arrangement, the attachment of the boot on the ski behaves as in the case of a classic fixation. That is, the shoe will be released when the stresses to which it will be subjected will exceed the spring prestressing values.

The front sensors 50, rear sensors 51 and the actuator housing 48 are connected to the control box 49. At any time, the front 50 and rear 51 sensors transmit to the control box the stresses to which they are subjected. The control box 49 processes this information and decides whether to release the boot by opening the additional trigger device 40.

Once the control unit 49 has decided that the situation requires the release of the shoe, an order is passed to the electronic circuit 32. The trigger 54 rotates a quarter turn and is found in the "open" position described in the 9, that is to say in such a way that the notch is open in the direction of the rear retaining element 3. In this position, the pin 61 is no longer retained and can come out of the notch 55 The rear retaining element 4 is therefore free to slide backwards under the effect of the forces exerted on the boot, which releases it.

To be able to retract, the user must reset the additional triggering device. To do this, it slides the rear retaining element 4 towards the front retaining element 3. The rod 52 is also translated in the same direction until the pin 61 comes to be housed in the notch 55. When the pin 61 is in the notch 55, the rod pushes the latch 57. Under the action of the return spring 58 the trigger 54 rotates a quarter turn and returns to the position that is his Figure 8.

A switch 60 is placed on the block 53 to be able to turn off the device and neutralize the additional trigger device 40.

Figures 10a, 10b, 10c describe in detail the operation of the actuator member 30 and its interaction with the other elements of the additional trigger device.

Figure 10a, the return spring 58 holds the trigger 54 in the "closed" position. Thus, the pin remains trapped in the notch and the rod 52 is locked.

Figure 10b, the electric current of the capacitor discharge through the turns of the wire 62 and subjected to a high thermal stress. The deformation of the wire 62 that follows turns the trigger 54 to its unlocked position.

10c, the "open" position of the rotary actuator is reached, the rod 52 escapes and allows the latch to come jam in a notch 63 of the trigger 54. Thus, the release is maintained in the unlocked position and remains ready to receive again the pawn for rearming. The invention is not limited to the two embodiments described here as examples, but includes any equivalent embodiment, particularly the invention aims to cover any safety fastening device for gliding apparatus which comprises an actuating member comprising a shape memory alloy-containing element and operating due to the properties thereof.

NOMENCLATURE

- ski - shoe - front retainer - rear retainer - rear retainer - caliper - rear jaw 0 - rear plate 1- front retainer block 2- lower front plate 3- first spring 4- plate 5 - jaw 6 , 17- lateral wing 8- lateral clamp 9- third axis 0- first axis 1- second spring 2- wells 3- lever 4- notch-rocker 6- second axis 7- body 8- upper branch 9- wheel 0- actuator element 1- blade 2- circuit 3- power supply 4- chopper 5- lower branch 6- transformer 7- rectifier 8- capacitor 9- switch 0- additional tripping device - rear end - front end - front interface element - rear interface element - slide - actuator housing - control box - front sensor - rear sensor - rod - block - release - notch - stud - latch - return spring - electric battery - switch - cylindrical pin - wire - notch

Claims

1- A device for retaining a shoe (2) on a gliding board (1) comprising a jaw (15) intended to come into contact with a tip (41, 42) of said shoe (2) and capable of be moved relative to said tip of said shoe and a trigger mechanism for moving said jaw (15), characterized in that said triggering mechanism comprises an actuator member (30) made of a material capable of reversibly deform under the effect of a thermal stress and able to return to its original shape once the thermal stress has ceased to produce its effects.

2- device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to claim 1, characterized in that said material is a shape memory alloy.

3- device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said thermal stress is generated electronically.

4- Device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit (32) capable of delivering in a very short time a large electric current to through said actuator member (30).

5- device for retaining a boot on a gliding board according to claim 4, characterized in that said circuit (32) comprises a chopper (34), a transformer (36), a rectifier (37) and a capacitor ( 38).

6- Device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to claim 5, characterized in that said electronic circuit (32) is powered by a battery.

7- Device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said actuator member is a wire (62).

8- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said wire (62) is flexible at ambient temperature and in that it is stiffened by taking a stored form when traversed by the electric current delivered by said circuit.

9- Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said triggering mechanism comprises a trigger (54) pivotable between a "closed" position and an "open" position and in that said wire (62) is wound around said trigger (54).

10- Device for retaining a shoe on a gliding board according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said actuator member is a blade (31).