EP3741436B1 - Binding device for fixing a boot onto a snowboard - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a binding device for attaching a boot to a sliding board, in particular to a snow sliding board, in particular to a snowboard. The invention also relates to a boot intended to be attached to a sliding board. Finally, the invention relates to a binding system for snowboarding comprising such a binding device and such a boot.

State of the prior art

Snowboarding, or snow surfing, consists of descending snowy slopes using a board to which the user's two shoes are attached. To attach a shoe, a binding device is generally used comprising a support attached to the board and several flexible straps attached to the support at their ends and passing over the shoe. The support, generally made of plastic, at least partially envelops the sole, the back and the sides of the shoe. The binding generally comprises two straps, one of which passes over the instep and the other passes over the front of the shoe. These straps are used to firmly hold the shoe against the bottom of the support. Each strap is made up of two parts capable of cooperating together via a tightening means in order to obtain good support for the foot.

To attach a shoe to the board, the user must therefore generally position his foot at the bottom of the binding support and then successively tighten the binding straps. This operation is tedious and often requires the user to sit in the snow to put on the snowboard. However, this operation must be repeated many times during a day of snowboarding since using the ski lifts generally requires that at least one of the two feet be unshod. The tightening obtained after each manipulation may be different. The user must therefore get used to practicing snowboarding with a comfort that may be different between each tightening and loosening operation. In addition, the existing straps are made of soft plastic and can break, which can be particularly dangerous when the user goes down a ski slope at full speed.

We know thanks to the patent EP0885036 , bindings commonly called "step-in", capable of cooperating with a binding device integrated under the sole of the boot. These bindings provide faster putting on when the sole is not clogged with snow. However, when snow or ice clings to the binding device under the sole, putting on the boot can become more difficult or even impossible. It is therefore often necessary to carefully clean the sole in order to successfully attach the boot to the board. In addition, such a binding system provides foot support via the sole and not via the top of the foot or the instep as in conventional binding systems and users do not appreciate the sensations created by this type of connection. Indeed, the transmission of forces from the foot to the board is less precise and the sensations perceived by the user are degraded. The comfort provided by such bindings can also be impaired by pressure points due to the binding mechanism, arranged under the user's foot. The document WO2012/058451 A1 discloses a fixation according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a fastening system for attaching a shoe to a sliding board, overcoming the above drawbacks and improving the fastening systems known from the prior art.

More specifically, a first object of the invention is a practical fixing device to use and allowing a shoe to be easily and quickly fixed or released from a sliding board.

A second object of the invention is a fixing device allowing optimal transmission of impulses from a user to a sliding board to control its movement.

A third object of the invention is a comfortable fixing device for the user's foot.

A fourth object of the invention is an automatic fastening device usable even when snow is likely to accumulate under the sole of a shoe.

Summary of the invention

• une embase destinée à être fixée à une planche de glisse et à envelopper au moins partiellement une semelle et des côtés latéraux d'une chaussure,
• au moins un levier mobile par rapport à l'embase,

le levier étant apte à coopérer avec un élément de retenue relié à une chaussure, le levier étant mobile entre une première position de maintien et une deuxième position de serrage, le levier étant apte à retenir la chaussure dans l'embase lorsqu'il est dans sa première position, le levier étant apte à transmettre un effort vers le bas sur l'élément de retenue lorsqu'il est dans sa deuxième position.The invention relates to a binding device for attaching a shoe to a sliding board, the binding device comprising:

• a base intended to be fixed to a sliding board and to at least partially envelop a sole and lateral sides of a shoe,
• at least one lever movable relative to the base,

the lever being able to cooperate with a retaining element connected to a shoe, the lever being movable between a first holding position and a second tightening position, the lever being able to retain the shoe in the base when it is in its first position, the lever being able to transmit a downward force on the retaining element when it is in its second position.

The lever may include a gripping member for moving the lever from its first position to its second position in the tightening direction.

The lever may be arranged along a lateral side of the base, and the lever may be adapted to cooperate with a laterally extending retaining member of the shoe.

The lever may include a first bearing surface capable of vertically retaining the lateral retaining element and the first bearing surface may be cam-shaped.

The first bearing surface may comprise a first portion intended to bear against the retaining element when the lever is in its first position, the first bearing surface comprising a second portion intended to bear against the retaining element when the lever is in its second position, the second portion being distinct from the first portion.

The lever may be movable in rotation about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation extending parallel to a transverse axis of the fixing device, the distance separating said first portion from the axis of rotation being strictly greater than the distance separating said second portion from the axis of rotation.

The lever may comprise an opening, an edge of the opening forming said first bearing surface.

The first support surface of the lever may comprise an arc shape eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation.

The first lever bearing surface may comprise a row of notches, each notch defining a stable clamping position of the lever.

The base may include a lateral side provided with a guide groove oriented and open towards the front and towards the top.

The lever may comprise a second bearing surface forming a shoeing ramp, the second bearing surface being intended to cooperate with the retaining element to move the lever from an initial position to a third retracted position.

The fixing device may comprise a return means, the return means exerting a force on the lever tending to move it from its third retracted position to its initial position.

The lever may include a release handle, a downward force on the release handle tending to move the lever to its third retracted position.

The base may comprise a stop means positioned at the front of the base, the stop means being capable of cooperating with a mating element of the shoe.

The fastening device may comprise a first lever movable relative to the base and a second lever movable relative to the base, the first lever being able to cooperate with a first retaining element connected to a shoe, the second lever being able to cooperate with a second retaining element connected to a shoe, the first lever being movable between a first holding position and a second tightening position, the second lever being movable between a first position of holding and a second clamping position, the first lever and the second lever being able to retain the shoe in the base when they are in their first position, the first lever and the second lever being able to transmit a downward force respectively on the first retaining element and on the second retaining element when they are in their second position.

The first lever may be integral with the second lever, and the first lever and the second lever may be movable in rotation about the same axis of rotation, said axis of rotation being oriented parallel to a transverse axis of the fixing device, said axis being arranged at the rear of a base of the base.

The invention also relates to a sports shoe comprising a sliding assembled strap, the strap wrapping an instep of the shoe, the strap comprising a first free end, extending on a first side of the instep, and a second free end, extending on the other side of the instep, the first end comprising a first lateral retaining element intended to cooperate with a first lever of a binding device as defined above and the second end comprising a second lateral retaining element intended to cooperate with a second lever of the binding device to tighten the shoe against the binding device.

The first retaining element may extend transversely in an area of the shoe delimited by a rear end of the shoe, a lower edge of the shoe and a point of the shoe intended to be positioned at most about 20 mm from an internal malleolus of a user, and/or the second retaining element may comprise transversely in an area of the shoe delimited by a rear end of the shoe, a lower edge of the shoe and a point of the shoe intended to be positioned at most approximately 20mm from a user's external malleolus.

The invention also relates to a fastening system comprising a fastening device as defined above and a sports shoe as defined above.

Presentation of figures

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un équipement pour la pratique du snowboard selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est une vue de côté d'une chaussure et d'un dispositif de fixation selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, la chaussure s'apprêtant à être fixée au dispositif de fixation.
• [Fig. 3] La figure 3 est une vue en coupe de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, la coupe étant réalisée parallèlement à un plan dans lequel s'étend la sangle de la chaussure.
• [Fig. 4] La figure 4 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 5] La figure 5 est une vue de côté d'un levier du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, du côté interne du levier.
• [Fig. 6] La figure 6 est une vue arrière du levier du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 7] La figure 7 est une première vue en perspective du levier du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 8] La figure 8 est une vue de côté de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, la chaussure étant retenue verticalement contre une embase du dispositif de fixation, le levier étant dans une première position, dite de maintien.
• [Fig. 9] La figure 9 est une vue de côté de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, la chaussure étant retenue verticalement et serrée contre l'embase, le levier étant dans une deuxième position, dite de serrage.
• [Fig. 10] La figure 10 est une vue de côté et en transparence de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, la chaussure étant en position déchaussée et s'apprêtant à être fixée au dispositif de fixation.
• [Fig. 11] La figure 11 est une vue de côté de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le premier mode de réalisation, l'avant de la chaussure étant engagé dans le dispositif de fixation.
• [Fig. 12] La figure 12 est une vue partielle, de côté et en transparence de la chaussure et d'un dispositif de fixation selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, le levier étant dans la première position, dite de maintien.
• [Fig. 13] La figure 13 est une vue partielle, de côté et en transparence de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation, le levier étant dans une troisième position, dite escamotée.
• [Fig. 14] La figure 14 est une vue arrière de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation.
• [Fig. 15] La figure 15 est une vue de côté et en transparence de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation, la chaussure étant retenue verticalement et le levier étant dans sa première position, dite de maintien.
• [Fig. 16] La figure 16 est une vue en perspective de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation dans la configuration de la figure 15.
• [Fig. 17] La figure 17 est une vue en perspective de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation, le levier étant dans sa deuxième position, dite de serrage.
• [Fig. 18] La figure 18 est une vue en perspective de la chaussure et du dispositif de fixation selon le deuxième mode de réalisation, le levier étant dans sa troisième position, dite escamotée.
• [Fig. 19] La figure 19 est une en vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 20] La figure 20 est une vue de côté et de la chaussure et d'un dispositif de fixation selon une deuxième variante de réalisation de l'invention.

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic view of equipment for practicing snowboarding according to one embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a side view of a shoe and a binding device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the shoe preparing to be attached to the binding device.
• [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a sectional view of the shoe and the fastening device according to the first embodiment, the section being made parallel to a plane in which the strap of the shoe extends.
• [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view of the fixing device according to the first embodiment.
• [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a side view of a lever of the fixing device according to the first embodiment, from the internal side of the lever.
• [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a rear view of the lever of the fixing device according to the first embodiment.
• [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a first perspective view of the lever of the fixing device according to the first embodiment.
• [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a side view of the shoe and the fastening device according to the first embodiment, the shoe being retained vertically against a base of the fixing device, the lever being in a first position, called holding.
• [ Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is a side view of the shoe and the fixing device according to the first embodiment, the shoe being held vertically and clamped against the base, the lever being in a second position, called clamping.
• [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a side view and in transparency of the shoe and the fixing device according to the first embodiment, the shoe being in the unshod position and preparing to be fixed to the fixing device.
• [ Fig. 11 ] There figure 11 is a side view of the shoe and the binding device according to the first embodiment, the front of the shoe being engaged in the binding device.
• [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 is a partial side view in transparency of the shoe and of a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the lever being in the first position, called the holding position.
• [ Fig. 13 ] There figure 13 is a partial, side and transparent view of the shoe and the fixing device according to the second embodiment, the lever being in a third position, called retracted.
• [ Fig. 14 ] There figure 14 is a rear view of the shoe and the binding device according to the second embodiment.
• [ Fig. 15 ] There figure 15 is a side view and transparency of the shoe and the fixing device according to the second embodiment, the shoe being held vertically and the lever being in its first position, called holding.
• [ Fig. 16 ] There figure 16 is a perspective view of the shoe and the binding device according to the second embodiment in the configuration of the figure 15 .
• [ Fig. 17 ] There figure 17 is a perspective view of the shoe and the fixing device according to the second embodiment, the lever being in its second position, called tightening.
• [ Fig. 18 ] There figure 18 is a perspective view of the shoe and the fixing device according to the second embodiment, the lever being in its third position, called retracted.
• [ Fig. 19 ] There figure 19 is a perspective view of a fixing device according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 20 ] There figure 20 is a side view of the shoe and a fastening device according to a second variant embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

There figure 1 schematically illustrates equipment 1 for practicing snowboarding according to an embodiment of the invention. The equipment 1 comprises a sliding board 2, two binding devices 3 according to an embodiment of the invention and a pair of shoes 4 according to an embodiment of the invention. The sliding board has an elongated shape, extends generally in a plane and has raised front and rear ends. A first face of the sliding board or lower face is intended to come into contact with a snowy surface while the two binding devices are fixed on the other face of the sliding board, that is to say on the upper face. The two binding devices are used to fix the two shoes 4 of a user to the sliding board 2. The two binding devices and therefore the two shoes are fixed substantially perpendicular to the axis along which the sliding board extends. Alternatively and most commonly, the binding devices may be fixed differently: for example, they may be fixed so that the binding devices and thus the two shoes form an angle other than a right angle with the axis in which the board extends. It is also possible for the user to adjust the orientation of each binding device on the board. Alternatively, the binding devices could be attached side by side as for a monoski or one behind the other as for a skwal board. According to a still different variant, the two binding devices could each be attached to a separate sliding board as for skiing. The equipment could comprise only one binding device according to the invention, the other boot could then be attached to the sliding board via a binding device according to the state of the art. Subsequently, we will describe a particular binding device cooperating with a boot. This boot can be either a left boot or a right boot.

In this document, the longitudinal axis X of the binding device is defined as the axis in which the user's foot extends from heel to toe when the user's foot is in place in the binding device. The terms "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the longitudinal axis X, with the rear designating the heel side and the front designating the toe side. The transverse axis Y designates an axis perpendicular to the X axis and oriented from left to right according to the user's point of view. For the purposes of the description, it is assumed that the device is mounted on a sliding board that rests on a horizontal ground. The X axis and the Y axis therefore define a horizontal plane. The Z axis designates the vertical axis, perpendicular to the X and Y axes. The Z axis is oriented from bottom to top. The X, Y and Z axes form an orthogonal coordinate system.

In reference to the figure 2 , the shoe 4 is a high-top shoe. It envelops the user's foot, ankle and lower leg. In particular, the shoe 4 envelops the user's instep, i.e. the upper part of the foot above the ankle joint. The instep 41 of the shoe refers to the part of the shoe covering the user's instep, i.e. a curved part of the anatomy, positioned in the area of the ankle joint between the foot and the lower leg. The shoe 4 comprises a strap 42, or thong or "strap", assembled to slide relative to the rest of the shoe and surrounding the instep 41 of the shoe from left to right. In particular, the strap is sliding relative to an upper of the shoe, i.e. an outer part of the shoe that covers the foot. This strap 42 covers the instep 41 of the shoe. It is connected and secured to the shoe. However, it would not be outside the scope of the invention if this strap were attached to a shoe initially not provided with a strap and secured to this shoe, for example, by a harness supporting the strap.

There figure 3 represents a sectional view of the shoe 4 and the fixing device 3 along a plane PC1 parallel to a median plane of the strap. This plane PC1 is notably indicated on the figure 8 . The strap 42 may have a generally U-shape, so as to properly wrap the instep 41. It comprises a first free end 43A extending from a first side of the instep on a lateral side of the shoe and a second free end 43B extending from the other side of the instep, on the other lateral side of the shoe. The ends 43A, 43B may be substantially positioned at the level of the internal and external malleoli of the user's foot, these ends being substantially oriented towards a lower rear corner of the shoe, at the interface between the sole and the vertical part along the heel. The plane PC1 forms with the horizontal plane an angle A1 which may be for example between 30° and 70°, in particular between 40° and 60°, preferably approximately 50°.

The first end 43A is provided with a first lateral retaining element 44A. The second end 43B is provided with a second lateral retaining element 44B. The two lateral retaining elements 44A, 44B are therefore substantially positioned in a ZR zone (represented in figure 10 ) of the shoe delimited by the rear end of the shoe, the lower edge of the shoe and two points of the shoe positioned respectively substantially opposite the internal malleolus and the external malleolus of the user's foot or advanced by possibly at most 20 mm relative to the malleoli. In other words, the zone ZR extends laterally substantially on either side of the heel of the shoe, in a zone extending in the rear third of the shoe, defined relative to the total length of the sole of the shoe. More particularly, the first lateral retaining element 44A and the second lateral retaining element 44B may be in the form of a lug extending transversely to the strap 42 from one side of the shoe, towards the outside of the shoe. The lug may in particular have a cylindrical shape whose axis of revolution is substantially parallel to the Y axis. Alternatively, the lateral retaining element could have a different shape, such as a mushroom shape. The strap 42 is able to slide parallel to the direction in which it extends. The strap is forced to move at least according to this sliding movement. For example, its sliding may be guided by loops 45 covering it locally, for example two in number and each positioned on the lateral sides of the shoe. Thus, the strap can rise slightly upwards and forwards when the shoe is not secured to the fastening device so as not to hinder walking, but can slide downwards and backwards when the strap is secured to the fastening device. The strap 42 is then tightened by this fastening device to thus come to rest against the upper part of the shoe, at the instep. In addition, these loops prevent the strap from twisting on itself. The loops may be elements attached to the shoe or be formed by the upper of the shoe. It will not be outside the scope of the invention if other means of sliding and guiding the strap on or in the shoe are chosen. alternatively, the shoe could be designed differently: for example, the lateral retaining elements 44A, 44B could not be fixed directly to a strap but directly to the shoe and then be connected to the strap by means of a cable, these lateral retaining elements also having a sliding movement relative to the shoe.

The translational sliding of the strap 42 may allow the shoe to have a slight rolling movement from left to right about the X axis, when the shoe is secured to the binding device. In addition, the strap 42 may also have an additional degree of freedom of movement, for example a rotation from front to back or vice versa to facilitate the rolling movement of the shoe secured to the binding device.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the retaining elements 44A, 44B could not be fixed to a strap of the shoe but directly to an upper of the shoe, to a sole of the shoe or to any other part of the shoe, and in particular to a reinforcement surrounding the heel. The retaining elements would then only be movable relative to the rest of the shoe within the limit of the flexibility of the materials used to make the shoe. The shoe could possibly include reinforcements to limit the movement of the retaining elements. According to this alternative embodiment, the retaining elements may have a shape and/or a location substantially identical to the shape and/or the location of the retaining elements integral with the strap presented previously.

The fixing device 3 is notably illustrated in perspective on the figure 4 . It comprises a base 10, a first lever 201 and a second lever 301, distinct from the first lever. The first lever 201 is able to cooperate with the first lateral retaining element 44A and the second lever 301 is able to cooperate with the second lateral retaining element 44B to tighten the shoe against the base, in particular to tighten the strap 42 on the instep 41 of the shoe. The first lever 201 forms a means of attaching the first retaining element 44A and the second lever 301 forms a means of attaching the second retaining element 44B.

The base 10 is fixed to the gliding board, for example by means of screws screwed into the thickness of the gliding board, or by any other means of rapid locking-unlocking, known from the prior art. In particular, the base 10 or more precisely the lower plate of the base or base 11 may be provided with a circular opening (not shown), intended to receive a circular disk for retaining the base 10 on the gliding board. The base 10 may also, in a known manner, be easily positioned angularly relative to the board. The base 10 at least partially envelops a sole, a rear part and lateral sides of the shoe 4. For this purpose, the base 10 comprises a base 11 intended to receive the support of the lower face of the sole of the shoe 4. The base extends parallel to the gliding board and is positioned to bear on the latter. The base 10 also comprises two lateral flanks 12A, 12B or lateral sides 12A, 12B extending on either side of the base 11, each in a plane parallel to the axes X and Z. The lateral flanks make it possible to laterally block the shoe. The two lateral flanks are spaced from each other so as to be able to accommodate the sole of the shoe. The lateral flanks may have a height sufficient to bear on the sides of the sole of the shoe. In particular, they may have a height increasing from the front to the rear. They are connected to each other at the rear by an arch 13 in the shape of an arc of a circle raised relative to the base 11. The arch 13 is intended to accommodate the rear of the shoe and can be positioned substantially at the height of an Achilles tendon of the user. The arch 13 forms a rear stop for the shoe. Alternatively, the fastening device could comprise any other type of rear stop means to prevent the shoe from moving backwards. A rear opening is defined at the rear of the base by a lower contour of the arch, the two lateral flanks and the base. When the shoe is in place in the fastening device, the heel of the shoe can possibly come out through this rear opening. The arch 13 can be surmounted by a vertical reinforcement or spoiler (not shown), extending at the rear of the shoe substantially along the Z axis, allowing the shoe to find support towards the rear of the base.

The first lever 201 is arranged along a lateral side (in this case the right lateral side) of the base 10 and towards the rear of the base. On the figure 4 , it is observed that the first lever 201 is arranged at the rear of the lateral flank 12A of the base and on the outer side thereof. The lateral flank 12A is therefore interposed between the lever 201 and the shoe 4. Similarly, the second lever 301 is arranged symmetrically towards the rear and along an opposite lateral side of the base, i.e. along the lateral flank 12B of the base (in this case the left lateral side). Preferably, the first lever 201 and the second lever 301 can be positioned in a rear half of the binding device so as to be able to cooperate with the retaining elements 44A, 44B themselves arranged in the zone ZR of the shoe.

The two levers 201, 301 are movable between an initial position P0, a first position P1 and a second position P2. In the different illustrated variants, the initial position P0 for putting on or ready to put on and the first position P1 called holding are identical but they could also be different. In particular, the lever 201 and the lever 301 are movable in rotation about the same axis of rotation 14. The axis of rotation 14 is oriented parallel to the transverse axis Y. The axis of rotation 14 is arranged at the rear of the base 11 of the base, in the lower part of the base, so as to pass below the sole of the shoe when the latter is resting on the base 11. The axis of rotation 14 can be guided in rotation by means of openings forming bearings in the base 10. The lever 201 is integral with the lever 301 via the axis of rotation 14. More precisely, the lever 201 is integral with the axis of rotation 14 via a first end 14A of the axis of rotation 14 and the lever 301 is integral with the axis of rotation 14 via a second end 14B of the axis of rotation 14. The rotation axis 14 therefore forms a means of connection between the two levers 201, 301. Thus, a movement of the lever 201 causes an identical movement of the lever 301 and vice versa. The user can therefore choose to manipulate either the lever 201 or the lever 301 depending on the movement that he considers most convenient to perform.

Alternatively, the two levers could be independent of each other, i.e. they could be moved between their different positions independently of each other and would be movable about two separate transverse axes, oriented along the Y axis and mounted on each of the lateral sides 12A, 12B of the base. If the two levers are independent, each foot is then held to the board by two independent attachment means.

As observable on the figure 4 , the binding device may be symmetrical along a plane of symmetry PS oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z. Thus, the same binding device may be used indifferently to attach a left shoe or to attach a right shoe to the sliding board. In other embodiments not shown, the binding device may not be symmetrical with respect to a median plane and have a shape adapted for a left shoe and another shape adapted for the right foot. We will describe below only the first lever 201, the second lever 301 being symmetrical to the first lever. To simplify the description, the first lever 201 will simply be called "lever" and the first lateral retaining element 44A will simply be called "retaining element".

Lever 201 is illustrated in more detail in the Figures 5 to 7 . Advantageously, the lever may be a single-piece element. It may be made of metal to give it significant and constant strength and rigidity over time, but other rigid materials such as fiber-filled plastics could also be used. It extends generally in a plane perpendicular to the Y axis. The lever 201 is movably mounted on the base by the rotation axis 14. The rotation axis 14 is fixed to the lever 201 by being engaged in a circular opening 202, located at a lower edge of the lever 201. This circular opening 202 receives the end 14A of the rotation axis 14. The lever 201 also comprises an opening 203, one of the edges of which forms a first bearing surface 204 or cam surface, capable of cooperating with the retaining element 44A. The opening 203 is an opening passing through the thickness of the lever 201 along the transverse axis Y. The edge forming the first bearing surface 204 is an upper edge of the opening 203 of the lever 201. In particular, the retaining element 44A is retained vertically upwards when it is resting against a portion of the bearing surface 204 forming a cam. This bearing surface 204 is perpendicular to a plane comprising the axis X and the axis Z. The position of the retaining element 44A along the bearing surface 204 is visible from the outside, which in particular makes it possible to easily and quickly check the correct position of the retaining element relative to the bearing surface 204. In addition, the opening 203 facilitates the evacuation of snow or ice which could accumulate at the level of the support surface 204.

The bearing surface 204 is notched, that is to say it comprises a row of notches 205A, 205B, 205C, 205D, 205E positioned side by side. Each notch 205A, 205B, 205C, 205D, 205E comprises an arc shape, capable of matching the cylindrical shape of the retaining element 44A. Thus, each notch can define a stable holding and/or tightening position of the lever 201, that is to say that the forces exerted by the retaining element on the lever cannot cause a rotation of the lever resulting in the opening of the lever in the direction of release D. More precisely, the chosen inclination of the support surface 204 which forms a cam surface and its positioning relative to the axis of rotation 14 of the lever 201 makes it possible, when a vertical upward force is applied by the retaining element of the boot when snowboarding on snow, to create a force which tends to rotate the lever 201 backwards, that is to say in the direction of closing and tightening. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first support surface 204 comprises five notches but this number could be different.

Two distinct portions 206, 207 of the bearing surface 204 can be defined. The first portion 206 can be defined as the portion of the bearing surface corresponding to a first notch 205A and the second portion 207 can be defined as the portion of the bearing surface corresponding to a fourth notch 205D. Alternatively, the second portion could correspond equally well to notches 205B, 205C or 205E.

The first position P1, called holding lever 201, is notably illustrated in the figure 8 and the second position P2, called lever tightening, is notably illustrated on the figure 9 . A backward rotation of the lever allows it to move from its first position to its second position.

The rotation of the lever in the tightening direction is represented in particular by an arrow S on the figure 9 . The retaining element 44A of the shoe bears against the first portion 206 of the first bearing surface 204 when the lever is in its first position P1 and it bears against the second portion 207 when the lever is in its second position P2. When the lever is pivoted from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the bearing area of the retaining element on the first bearing surface gradually passes from the first portion 206 to the second portion 207, passing in particular through the notches 205B and 205C.

As indicated on the figure 5 , the distance D1 separating the first portion 206 from the axis of rotation 14 is strictly greater than the distance D2 separating the second portion 207 from the axis of rotation of the lever 201. From the first notch of the first portion to the last notch of the second portion, the distances separating these notches from the axis of rotation of the lever 201 decrease, then making it possible to bring the shoe retaining element closer to the base 11 of the base when the lever is tilted in the tightening direction S, towards the rear. When the lever is in its first position, called the holding position P1, the retaining element 44A is generally in the first upper notch 206, the lever 201 retains the shoe 4 and blocks its movement vertically upwards. This first position P1 is therefore a holding position, that is to say that the shoe is captive in the binding device but is not yet tightened against the base. The sole of the shoe may still have some play with the base 11 or at least be only slightly compressed against the base 11. The strap exerts little or no pressure on the user's instep. This configuration is particularly comfortable but does not have sufficient tightening of the shoe by the binding device to allow good guidance of the gliding board on the snow.

When the lever moves from the first position, called holding position P1, to the second position, called clamping position P2, the lever 201 and in particular the cam surface 204 exerts a downward and rearward force on the retaining element 44A causing the downward movement, in the direction of the base 11 of the base 10, of this retaining element 44A. The retaining element moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the gliding board and/or the base 11 extend. The retaining element 44A itself being guided elsewhere in a guide groove 15 of the base, inclined towards the rear, as explained below, this retaining element finally moves downwards and towards the rear during tightening, during the rearward rotation of the lever 201. Thus, the retaining element 44A approaches the axis of rotation 14. The strap 42 is stretched parallel to its sliding direction, i.e. towards the rear and downwards. The movement of the retaining element therefore causes the strap to be tightened on the instep of the shoe towards the base. The shoe is pressed against the base and held firmly by the strap stretched over the instep 41. Advantageously, the lever may be able to move the retaining element downwards, in the vertical direction, by a distance greater than or equal to 10 mm, in particular approximately 20 mm when the lever is moved from its first position, called the holding position P1, to its second position, called the tightening position P2, the retaining element then approaching the upper face of the base and the lower face of the sole of the shoe. In a preferred example, when the lever is in its first position, called the holding position P1, the retaining element is approximately 70 mm from the lower face of the sole and therefore from the upper face of the base 10. Then, when the lever is in its second position P2, called the tightening position, the retaining element is then approximately 50 mm from the lower face of the sole and the upper face of the base. The central axis of the retaining element 44A is then located approximately at a distance between between 50 and 85 mm from the heel, preferably between 70 and 80 mm from the heel of the shoe.

As a note, in the particular case where the retaining elements would not be fixed to a strap of the shoe but to any other part such as the upper of the shoe, the rearward rotation of the lever leads to transmitting a downward force onto the upper. This force is transmitted to the sole of the shoe which is then compressed against the base 11 of the fixing device.

The transition from the holding position P1 to the clamping position P2 is carried out manually by the user by manually operating the lever. This transition is obtained by manipulating the lever backwards, in the clamping direction S, as shown in figure 9 . This manual action is in particular carried out by grasping a gripping element 216 for tightening the lever 201. The gripping element 216 forms a handle that can be grasped by hand. The gripping element 216 is located in the upper front part of the lever. Other actuation means could be envisaged, such as for example means provided with electronic assistance. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, the gripping element 216 actuating the tightening is in one piece with the lever 201 carrying the cam surface 204, but it would not be departing from the scope of the invention if the gripping element 216 were an element separate from the lever 201, such as for example a second lever mounted on the base and actuating the lever 201 carrying the cam and driving the latter in the tightening direction. The two levers 201 and 301 being coupled together by the rotation axis 14, the manual actuation of the lever 201 by the gripping element 216 therefore automatically causes the simultaneous rotation of the lever 301, and vice versa, in the tightening direction S.

Several clamping positions P2 can be achieved depending on the desired clamping on the shoe. The further the lever 201, which carries the holding and clamping cam surface, is tilted backwards, the greater the clamping, i.e. the shoe retaining element descends downwards and approaches the upper surface of the base. Thus, the strap 42 is increasingly clamped against the upper part of the shoe in the instep area, the sole then being pressed against the base 11 of the binding element.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the Figures 12 to 18 , the first bearing surface of the lever does not comprise a succession of notches but a smooth profile in the shape of an arc of a circle. This arc of a circle shape is eccentric relative to the axis of rotation 14 so that distinct portions of the first bearing surface are positioned at different distances from the axis of rotation 14. The bearing surface therefore forms a cam on which the retaining element 44A bears. The rotation of the lever from its first position to its second position then causes a progressive and smooth movement of the retaining element backwards and downwards, causing the strap 42 to be tightened. The position of the center of the arc of a circle forming the first bearing surface is then chosen so that the tension force of the strap does not cause an undesired rotation of the lever. The position of the cam surface of the lever 201, 301 is located substantially above the axis of rotation of the lever. It will not be departing from the scope of the invention if the lever carrying the cam surface is rotatably mounted on one of the sides of the base in the upper part and the cam surface is then positioned below the axis of rotation of the lever.

In reference to the figure 10 , the base 10 further comprises two guide grooves 15, or guide lights, opening out, in other words open, upwards, each positioned on each lateral flank 12A, 12B, of the base, in the rear part of the fastening device. Each guide groove 15 is straight and inclined forward and upward. The guide groove makes it possible to guide the retaining element 44A when placing the shoe in the base, or against the base and imposes a direction of movement backwards and downwards on the strap 42. The guide groove 15 also constrains the movement of the retaining element 44A parallel to the axis in which the guide groove extends when the lever is moved between its first position, called holding position P1 and its second position, called tightening position P2. The strap is therefore tensioned in the direction of the guide groove 15. Furthermore, the tightening operation of the lever, carried out by means of the gripping element 216, is prevented from transmitting forces onto the strap perpendicular to its sliding direction. The guide groove 15 is in the form of a cutout made in a rear area of the lateral flank 12A of the base, and opening at the upper edge of this lateral flank. The guide groove may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis X by an angle A2 substantially close to the angle A1 formed by the strap 42 with the longitudinal axis X. The angle A2 may therefore be for example between 30° and 70°, in particular between 40° and 60°, preferably approximately 50°. The guide groove is sufficiently long so that even in the maximum tightening position, the retaining element 44A or lug does not come into contact with the bottom of the guide groove. In another embodiment not shown, the guide groove 15 could no longer be rectilinear but be curvilinear and in particular be in the shape of an arc of a circle whose center would be a front attachment point of the shoe 17, 18 which will be described later. Preferably, the groove 15 can be sized so as to have a width barely greater than the width of the retaining element, which improves its guiding function.

When the cam lever is in its initial position P0 for putting on the shoe, the lever 201 is juxtaposed with the guide groove 15, so that the retaining element cannot be engaged therein without moving the lever 201. In the first position called the holding position P1 or in the second position called the tightening position P2 or in any intermediate position between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the lever is also juxtaposed with the guide groove 15, the retaining element then being engaged in the guide groove 15. Thus the lever 201 forming the cam laterally covers at least part of the guide groove 15 (i.e. it covers at least part of the guide groove according to a transverse projection of the lever 201 on the lateral flank 12A carrying the guide groove 15). Indeed, the retaining element 44A of the strap 42 extends in the transverse direction beyond the lateral flank of the base and interferes with an upper edge of the lever when the latter is in its first position.

To allow the engagement, or in other words the putting on, of the shoe in the binding device or the release of the shoe from the binding device, the lever is movable towards a third position P3, called retracted, distinct from the initial position P0, the first position P1 and the second position P2. This retracted position P3 is notably illustrated on the figures 13 And 18 . In this position, the lever is offset relative to the guide groove 15, that is to say that it no longer laterally covers this guide groove 15 and the retaining element can be freely engaged or disengaged therein, without interference with the lever. The shoe is therefore able to be engaged against the base to allow putting on or disengaged from the base, to allow taking off, when the lever is in its third position P3, called retracted. As a remark, the figures 13 And 18 represent a lever equipped with a first bearing surface 204 or cam surface according to the second embodiment of the invention. The same principle applies of course to a lever whose first bearing surface or cam surface includes notches.

The third position P3, called the retracted position of the lever, corresponds to a position of the lever pivoted forward from the initial position P0. The initial position of the lever P0 is the position in which the lever is located prior to putting on the shoe. According to the embodiment presented, the initial position of the lever P0 is identical to the holding position P1 of the lever. The initial position P0 is distinguished from the holding position P1 by the fact that the lateral retaining element 44A or lug is not engaged in the groove 15 and is therefore not in abutment against the bearing surface 204 in the initial position P0, whereas it is in the holding position P1. In the initial position P0, the shoe is still outside the binding device. With respect to the holding position P1 or with respect to the initial position P0, the retracted position P3 is obtained by rotating the lever in the direction of rotation for taking off the shoe D, as indicated in figure 13 . Thus, the lever systematically passes through the initial position P0 or through the first position, called the holding position P1 when it is manipulated between the second position, called the tightening position P2 and the third position, called the retracted position P3. Thus, the lever forming a cam is movable in two opposite directions of rotation, one in the tightening direction S and the other in the release direction D. In the proposed embodiment, the first position, called the holding position P1 also corresponds to the initial position P0 where the binding device is ready to be put on. It would not be outside the scope of the invention if the initial position P0 is different from the holding position P1, in which case the initial position P0 of the lever would preferably be positioned between the retracted position P3 and the holding position P1.

In order to allow the rotation of the lever from the initial position P0 to the third position P3, the fixing device being not fitted, the lever 201 forming a cam comprises a second support surface 208 or ramp. shoeing, arranged on an upper edge of the lever. The second bearing surface 208 is intended to cooperate with the retaining element 44A of the shoe to move the lever to its third position and allow automatic shoeing of the shoe in the binding device. More particularly, as illustrated in the figure 11 , when the shoe approaches the binding device, the retaining element 44A comes into contact with the second support surface 208 and exerts a downward force F1 on the lever. The point of contact of the retaining element 44A on the support surface is positioned in front of the axis of rotation 14. The force F1 therefore causes the lever to rotate forwards, in the direction of taking off the shoe D. As the lever pivots forwards and the heel of the shoe approaches the base of the base, the retaining element 44A slides along the second support surface 208 or putting-on ramp, to its rear end 209. The lever is thus tilted forwards enough for the retaining element 44A to be able to enter the guide groove 15 of the base. The lever is then free to return to its first position, called the holding position P1, due to the elastic return exerted by a return spring on the lever, the retaining element then being blocked upwards by the cam surface 204 of the lever 201. The return of the lever to this first position is not hindered by the retaining element 44A which protrudes from the outer lateral side of the base, due to the fact that the lever has a rear opening 210, in particular clearly visible on the figures 6 Or 14 . The rear opening 210 is formed by a hollow made in the thickness of the lever carrying the cam, on its internal face, opposite the lateral flank of the base 10. This rear opening of the lever 201 allows the retaining element engaged in the guide groove 15 to slide behind the lever 201 and then come into contact with the first bearing surface 204 or cam surface when the lever has resumed its first holding position P1 and the cam holds the retaining element 44A. The retaining element 44A is therefore trapped in the guide groove 15 and held vertically by the cam surface or first bearing surface 204. Thus, the shoe is then put on and held vertically in the binding device. This rear opening 210 is limited by a first arm 211 connecting an upper part of the lever (carrying the first bearing surface 204 and the second bearing surface 208) to a lower part of the lever (carrying in particular the circular opening 202). The first arm 211 is positioned towards the rear side of the lever. A second arm 215, on the front side of the lever, also connects the upper part of the lever to its lower part. These two arms frame the opening 203 and give the lever greater rigidity. Alternatively, one of these two arms 211, 215 could be removed, for example the arm 211 which is thinner than the arm 215. Thus, the rear opening 210 has a dimension along the transverse axis Y at least equal to the length by which the retaining element 44A of the shoe extends beyond the guide groove 15 in the direction Y towards the outside of the base.

As it appears on the Figures 12 and 13 , the fixing device 3 comprises a return means 50 exerting a force on the lever carrying the cam surface and tending to move this lever from its third position, called retracted P3, to its initial position P0, being a stable position. The return means 50 is in particular in the form of a helical spring 51 but as a variant it could be replaced by any other equivalent return means. The spring 51 is positioned in a housing 212 of the lever. The housing 212 has substantially the shape of an arc of a circle centered on the circular opening 202. The spring 51 is mounted in compression between one end 213 of the housing and a stop 16 secured to the base. When the lever is in its third position, called retracted P3, the spring 51 is in a state of maximum compression. When the lever is in its initial position P0, the spring 51 is in a state of minimum compression. So at rest, the lever naturally returns from the third position, called retracted P3, to the position initial P0. When the shoe is engaged against the binding device, as soon as the retaining element 44A escapes from the second bearing surface 208 and descends into the guide groove 15, that is to say as soon as it is no longer bearing on this bearing surface 208, the return means causes the lever to rotate rearwardly, which causes the retaining element to pass through the rear opening 210 and then to bear against the first bearing surface 204, the lever 201 then taking the first holding position P1.

At rest, when the boot is not engaged in the binding, the lever 201 does not tilt backwards due to the shape and counter-shape provided respectively on the lever 201 on the internal face and on the side wall of the base on the external face, forming a stop. When putting on the boot, the putting on force is sufficient to exit this stop.

To allow the shoe to be removed from the binding device, the lever also comprises a pedal or release handle 214, for manually tilting the lever to its third position, called retracted P3. This release handle 214 could also be tilted with the foot. The release handle is in the form of a protuberance secured to the body of the lever and extending towards the outside of the binding device, parallel to the transverse axis Y. It can have a substantially rectangular shape. As illustrated in the figure 12 , a downward-oriented force F2 on the release handle tends to move the lever to its third position, called retracted P3. The release handle 214 can be actuated by the user to release his shoe from the binding device. Alternatively, the user could also press on another part of the lever, for example on the second support surface 208, to pivot it forward, to its third position P3. Thus, when the lever is in the retracted position P3, in the most forward position, the guide groove 15 is completely disengaged and the retaining element 44A of the shoe can move upwards and come completely out of the guide groove 15 to allow the shoe to be removed from the binding device.

In the illustrated embodiments, the release handle is in one piece with the lever carrying the cam surface, but it would not be outside the scope of the invention if this release handle were formed by an element distinct from the lever carrying the cam which would cooperate with this lever to drive it in rotation. Furthermore, the gripping element 216 and the release handle 214 or pedal have been presented as two distinct elements. Alternatively, these two elements could form a single piece, for example in the form of a handle extending parallel to the transverse axis Y. The user could then pull upwards on this handle to pivot the lever in the tightening direction S, or on the contrary, he could push downwards on this handle to pivot the lever in the release direction D.

In reference to the Figures 10 And 15 , the base also comprises a stop means 17 positioned at the front of the base which constitutes a front attachment means for the shoe. The stop means 17 is capable of cooperating with a mating element of the shoe. The stop means makes it possible to correctly position the shoe during the putting-on operation and to retain the front of the shoe in the vertical direction of the base, along the Z axis. More precisely, according to the embodiment presented, the stop means 17 is a lug 18 extending transversely towards the inside of the base from a lateral flank of the base. This lug, of generally cylindrical shape, is in particular clearly visible on the figure 4 . The lug is able to cooperate with a notch 47 made in a lateral edge of the sole of the shoe. The notch 47 may have an angled profile comprising a vertically extending engagement portion 47A and a longitudinally extending holding portion 47B. When the lug is in place in the holding portion, it can only be detached from the notch according to a very specific movement of the foot. To engage the shoe in the binding device, the user can first advance his shoe with the front inclined downwards. He then makes the lug 18 coincide with the notch 47 until the lug reaches the holding portion 47B. He can then pivot his foot around a transverse axis AT1 passing through the lug 18 so as to bring his heel towards the base 11. With such a movement, the retaining element 44A located in the rear part of the shoe comes into contact against the second support surface 208 substantially always at the same point, to allow the shoe to be put on in the binding device.

In other embodiments of the invention, the elements of the type lug 18 and notch 47 could be reversed, that is to say that the lug could be positioned on the lateral sides of the shoe, in its front zone and the notch could be positioned in the front side walls of the fastening device. Any other attachment means of the type hooks or form and counter-form could be envisaged to achieve the attachment of the front part of the shoe with the fastening device, this attachment allowing at least a vertical retention of the front part of the shoe. As a remark, when the stop means 17 cooperates with the lug 18, the movement of the shoe relative to the fastening device is guided. In particular, the shoe describes a rotational movement whose axis of rotation corresponds to the axis AT1. Thus, it could be possible to envisage the removal of the guide groove 15 or its widening since the guidance is ensured by the cooperation of the stop means 17 with the lug 18.

There figure 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the base 11 of the base 10 particularly adapted to the tightening device obtained by the cooperation of the strap with the levers previously described. The base 11 comprises a middle part 111 and two lateral parts 112A, 112B extending transversely on either side of the middle part 111. The middle part 111 is more rigid than the two lateral parts 112A, 112B. For example, the two lateral parts 112A, 112B can be made of foam or any other equivalent material, covering the base 11 of the base 10, capable of being elastically deformed by a support of the sole of the shoe and therefore of the user's foot to provide comfort and/or cushioning. The middle part 111 can be made of plastic. It can form a single-piece assembly with the rest of the base, for example obtained by plastic injection. When the two lateral parts 112A, 112B are not compressed, they can extend substantially to the same height as the middle part along the vertical axis Z. Advantageously, this height is greater than the height of the axis of rotation 14, which prevents the sole of the shoe from coming into contact with this axis of rotation and disturbing the rotation of the lever.

As is clearly visible on the figure 19 , the middle part and the two side parts can be interrupted between the front and the rear, in particular to leave room for an adjustment mechanism (not shown) for the orientation of the binding device relative to the sliding board around the vertical axis Z. Outside this central zone, the middle part 11 and the two side parts 112A, 112B occupy the entire width of the base between the two side flanks 12A and 12B.

Thus, the presence of lateral parts 112A, 112B of lower rigidity allows the shoe to pivot slightly around a longitudinal axis, according to a rolling movement, while remaining generally well tightened. against the base. Indeed, when the shoe is held and tightened in the binding device, the strap 42 has a fixed position relative to the binding device, due to the connection with the binding device of the lateral retaining elements 44A, 44B mounted on the strap 42. It is then the rest of the shoe, excluding the strap, which becomes mobile relative to the strap and the binding device, in particular mobile in rotation by causing a rolling movement around the X axis. This is made possible due to the sliding capacity of the strap 42 relative to the upper of the shoe. The user can thus freely modify or adjust their support on the gliding board, while keeping their foot tightly tightened. They can thus control their trajectory even more effectively. In particular, the user finds the same sensations that he can have with a classic binding where the shoe is held only by two straps or two straps fixed to the binding device and independent of the shoe, and in particular the binding device according to the invention allows the shoe to find a rolling movement relative to the base, as in the classic bindings mentioned above.

By means of the invention, the user can easily engage his boot on the gliding board so that the gliding board is held to his foot and cannot escape. This operation does not require the use of the user's hands since he simply has to engage the lever by bringing his foot close to the fitting ramp as described above. Before putting on the boot, the strap is secured only to the boot. After engaging the boot in the binding device, the strap is secured to the base. Then, a single movement on the gripping element 216 allows the user to adjust the tightening of his foot against the gliding board. Once the lever is tightened, the strap is secured to the binding device. Depending on the compromise between comfort of use and precision, the user can pull the lever carrying the cam surface more or less, i.e. more or at least switch it from the first position, called the holding position P1, to the second position, called the tightening position P2. When the first support surface is provided with notches of the order of a few units, he can easily identify a tightening level that suits him by identifying on which notch the shoe retaining element, linked to the strap, should stop. He obtains a tightening of his shoe from above, that is to say that the strap exerts a force on the instep of the user to firmly press the shoe to the bottom of the binding device. The rigidity of the materials constituting the body of the shoe therefore does not impact the quality of the tightening obtained. It is thus possible to obtain both an automatic fitting system, a particularly comfortable shoe and a precise and effective tightening of the shoe against the board.

When snow has accumulated under the sole of the boot or on the binding device, the user can still successfully attach their boot to the board without having to remove the accumulated snow. To do this, the user manipulates the lever so as to achieve a given resistance. Finally, the effort produced to manipulate the lever is directly correlated to the effort applied by the strap on the instep of the boot. By habit, the user can therefore easily find the level of tightness that suits them. Later, if the snow between the boot and the binding device were to melt or settle, thus changing the tightness of the strap, the user can easily adjust the tightness of the lever.

As a note, in the particular case where the retaining elements 44A, 44B would be fixed directly to the upper, the sole or any other element of the shoe, the tightening of the levers makes it possible to compress the sole more or less against the gliding board. A more or less significant compression of the sole makes it possible to adjust the sensations felt by the user at the level of the soles of the feet. In addition, when the elements retaining elements are fixed to an upper made of a sufficiently flexible material, the upper can deform under the effect of the force exerted by each of the levers and a certain tightening of the foot can be obtained. The tightening thus obtained can be modulated by adapting the rigidity of the upper and the position of the retaining elements on the upper. The advantage of being able to simply fix the shoe to the binding device without having to remove the snow accumulated between the sole and the binding device is obtained even if the retaining elements are integral with the upper, the sole or any other element of the shoe.

Then, to remove the shoe from the binding device or to take it off, a single action is sufficient since it is sufficient to press on the release handle of the lever carrying the cam to pivot it forward, for example by using the release handle 214. This support can be carried out manually or for example with the other foot, if the latter is freed from its own binding device. Due to the connection between the two right and left levers, 201 and 301 via the connecting bar 14, a single action on one of the levers makes it possible to open the two levers simultaneously to allow the shoe to be taken off.

Thus, the lever is made up of a single piece combining the functions of automatic putting on, holding the boot loose against the gliding board, tightening the boot against the gliding board and finally interfacing with the user since the latter directly manipulates the lever for tightening and for taking off the boot and not another element which would be connected to the lever. According to the embodiment of the invention described, the lever is articulated in rotation on the binding device and comprises a cam surface, a putting on ramp, a gripping zone or gripping element allowing the tightening of the boot against the binding device, in particular the tightening of the strap linked to the shoe, against the instep, and a release handle or release pedal allowing the shoe to be released from the binding device.

The lever illustrated in the various embodiments is optimized and simple since it combines all the elements mentioned above which allow all the functions mentioned above. However, it will not be outside the scope of the invention if the main lever only carries the cam surface and the shoeing ramp and if the gripping zone and/or the gripping handle are separate elements from this main lever, mounted on the base and which cooperate with this main lever respectively to perform the tightening and/or the release.

Different variant embodiments of the invention will now be described.

As illustrated in the figure 20 , the lever 201' previously described could be reversed. The transition from the first position to the second position would not be obtained by pivoting the lever backwards but forwards. Similarly, the transition from the first position to the third position would not be obtained by pivoting the lever forwards but backwards. By analogy with the main embodiment previously described, the lever would also comprise a first support surface 204', a second support surface 208', a gripping element 216' for tightening the lever to its tightening position, a release handle 214' for tilting the lever to its retracted position. The shape of the first support surface 204' or cam surface and of the second support surface 208' or fitting ramp is also adapted to take account of this reversed kinematics.

According to another variant not illustrated, the fastening device could comprise only one lever located at the rear of the fastening device. This lever would comprise a lever movable about an axis of rotation oriented longitudinally along the X axis, this lever comprising a first support surface or cam surface, a second support surface or a shoeing ramp and two gripping zones, one allowing the lever to be actuated in the tightening direction and the other allowing the lever to be actuated in the release direction. The shoe would then further comprise a strap covering the instep of the shoe, the rear ends of which would be connected to each other by a connection, itself provided with a retaining element located in the rear zone of the shoe and intended to cooperate with the lever and in particular with the cam surface of the lever. This retaining element, by cooperating with the lever, would allow the strap to be tightened against the instep of the shoe towards the base when the lever is moved from its first position, called the holding position, to its second position, called the tightening position by action on the tightening gripping element. According to this variant, the vertical rear wall 13 of the base would be provided with a substantially vertical guide groove or light, emerging and open upwards, intended to receive and guide the retaining element.

As a note, when the binding device is provided with two levers synchronized by a rotation axis, as has been described, one of the two levers could be simplified and for example, one of the two levers could then not include the release handle 214.

• de proposer un dispositif de fixation d'une chaussure à chaussage rapide et automatique, qui peut être chaussé sans action manuelle,
• de proposer un dispositif de fixation qui peut être utilisé même lorsqu'il est encombré de neige,
• de proposer une chaussure comportant éventuellement une sangle se déplaçant en coulissement par rapport à celle-ci, le coulissement permettant de serrer la sangle sur le cou-de-pied de la chaussure, lorsque la chaussure est déjà solidarisée à la fixation par action de l'utilisateur sur un levier de préhension du dispositif de fixation qui déplace la came et la sangle dans la direction du serrage en déplaçant l'élément de retenue lié à la sangle,
• d'offrir la possibilité à l'utilisateur d'avoir une position dite de maintien, de confort où son pied n'est pas comprimé et où la chaussure n'est pas serrée par la sangle et une position dite de serrage distincte où le pied est bien maintenu, c'est-à-dire que la sangle est serrée contre le cou-de-pied et le guidage de la planche de glisse est alors performant.

The invention therefore has the following advantages:

• to propose a device for fastening a shoe with quick and automatic fitting, which can be fitted without manual action,
• to provide a fixing device that can be used even when clogged with snow,
• to propose a shoe possibly comprising a strap which slides relative to the latter, the sliding allowing the strap to be tightened on the instep of the shoe, when the shoe is already secured to the binding by the user's action on a gripping lever of the binding device which moves the cam and the strap in the tightening direction by moving the retaining element linked to the strap,
• to offer the user the possibility of having a so-called support position, of comfort where his foot is not compressed and where the shoe is not tightened by the strap and a so-called separate tightening position where the foot is well supported, that is to say that the strap is tight against the instep and the guidance of the gliding board is then efficient.

Claims (16)

1. Fastening device (3) for fastening a boot (4) to a sliding board (2), comprising:

   - a base (10) intended to be fastened to a sliding board and to surround, at least partially, a sole and lateral sides of a boot,

   - at least one lever (201, 301) that can move relative to the base,

   characterized in that the lever can interact with a retention element (44A, 44B) connected to a boot, the lever (201, 301) being able to move between a first retention position (P1) and a second clamping position (P2), the lever being able to retain the boot in the base when it is in its first position, the lever being able to transmit a downward force on the retention element when it is in its second position, characterized in that the lever (201, 301) comprises a gripping element (216) for moving the lever from its first position (P1) into its second position (P2) in the direction of clamping (S).
2. Fastening device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lever is arranged along a lateral side (12A, 12B) of the base (10), and in that the lever (201, 301) can interact with a retention element (44A, 44B) extending laterally from the boot.
3. Fastening device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (201) comprises a first bearing surface (204) that can vertically retain the lateral retention element (44A), the first bearing surface being in the form of a cam,
   and/or,
   the first bearing surface comprising a first portion (206) intended to bear against the retention element when the lever is in its first position (P1), the first bearing surface comprising a second portion (207) intended to bear against the retention element when the lever is in its second position (P2), the second portion (207) being separate from the first portion (206).
4. Fastening device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lever (201) can rotate about a hinge pin (14), the hinge pin extending parallel to a transverse axis (Y) of the fastening device, the distance (D1) separating said first portion (206) from the hinge pin (14) being strictly greater than the distance (D2) separating said second portion (207) from the hinge pin.
5. Fastening device according to either of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the lever (201, 301) comprises an opening (203), an edge of the opening forming said first bearing surface (204).
6. Fastening device (3) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first bearing surface (204) of the lever (201) is in the shape of an arc of a circle, off-centre relative to the hinge pin (14),
   and/or
   in that the first bearing surface (204) of the lever (201) comprises a row of notches (205A, 205B, 205C, 205D, 205E), each notch defining a stable clamping position of the lever.
7. Fastening device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) comprises a lateral side (12A, 12B) having a guide groove (15) oriented and open forwards and upwards.
8. Fastening device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (201) comprises a second bearing surface (208) forming a fitting ramp, the second bearing surface being intended to interact with the retention element (44A) so as to move the lever from an initial position (PC) into a third retracted position (P3).
9. Fastening device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a return means (50), the return means exerting a force on the lever (201) tending to move the lever from its third retracted position (P3) into its initial position (P0).
10. Fastening device (3) according to either of Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the lever comprises a release handle (214), a force oriented downwards on the release handle tending to move the lever into its third retracted position (P3).
11. Fastening device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) comprises a stop means (17) positioned at the front of the base, the stop means being able to interact with a mating element (47) of the boot.
12. Fastening device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first lever (201) that can move relative to the base and a second lever (301) that can move relative to the base, the first lever being able to interact with a first retention element (44A) connected to a boot, the second lever being able to interact with a second retention element (44B) connected to a boot, the first lever (201) being able to move between a first retention position (P1) and a second clamping position (P2), the second lever (301) being able to move between a first retention position (P1) and a second clamping position (P2), the first lever and the second lever being able to retain the boot in the base when they are in their first position, the first lever and the second lever being able to transmit a downward force on the first retention element and on the second retention element, respectively, when they are in their second position.
13. Fastening device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first lever (201) is rigidly secured to the second lever (301), and in that the first lever and the second lever can rotate about one and the same hinge pin (14), said hinge pin being oriented parallel to a transverse axis (Y) of the fastening device, said pin being arranged at the rear of a baseplate (11) of the base (10).
14. Boot (4) for sport, characterized in that it comprises a strap (42) assembled slidingly, the strap surrounding an instep (41) of the boot, the strap comprising a first free end (43A), extending on a first side of the instep, and a second free end (43B), extending on the other side of the instep, the first end comprising a first lateral retention element (44A) intended to interact with a first lever (201) of a fastening device according to one of the preceding claims and the second end comprising a second lateral retention element (44B) intended to interact with a second lever (301) of the fastening device so as to clamp the boot against the fastening device.
15. Boot (4) for sport according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first retention element (44A) extends transversely in a zone (ZR) of the boot delimited by a rear end of the boot, a lower edge of the boot and a point on the boot intended to be positioned at most at around 20mm of an inner ankle bone of a user,
    and/or in that the second retention element (44B) extends transversely in a zone of the boot delimited by a rear end of the boot, a lower edge of the boot and a point on the boot intended to be positioned at most at around 20mm of an outer ankle bone of a user.
16. Fastening system characterized in that it comprises:

    - a fastening device (3) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, and

    - a boot (4) for sport according to either of Claims 14 or 15.

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