Assembly for retaining a boot on an apparatus for gliding or walking on snow or ice

Abstract

An assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking apparatus including a boot and an interface device provided to receive the boot, and to be assembled to the gliding apparatus, the device having an elongated base defining a longitudinal direction provided to support the boot and having, in its upper portion, a device for retaining the boot, and in its lower portion, a device for assembly to the gliding apparatus. The retaining device of the assembly includes retaining members, located along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base, or set back with respect to the ends of the base along a longitudinal direction, which cooperate with complementary members for attaching the boot, and the assembly device including a non-releasable release mechanism with automatic return.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking apparatus, said assembly comprising: 
 a boot; and    an interface device adapted to receive the boot and to be assembled to the gliding or walking apparatus, the device including an elongated base, extending in a longitudinal direction, said base being adapted to support said boot and comprising, in an upper portion, a device for retaining the boot and, in a lower portion, a device for assembly to the gliding apparatus, said retaining device comprising retaining members, located along a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of said base, or set back with respect to the ends of the base along a longitudinal direction, said retaining members being structured to cooperate with complementary members for attaching said boot, said assembly device including a non-releasable release mechanism with automatic return.    
     
     
         2 . An assembly according to    claim 1   , wherein: 
 said assembly device includes at least one cable connecting said base to the ski, said cable unwinds against the return force of a spring.    
     
     
         3 . An assembly according to    claim 1   , wherein: 
 a transverse cradle is affixedly attached to said base; and    said cradle has lateral flanks that carry said retaining members of said boot.    
     
     
         4 . An assembly according to    claim 1   , wherein: 
 said boot comprises a sole and has a second attaching member on a front of said sole; and    said base has, on the front, a second retaining member provided to cooperate with the second attaching member.    
     
     
         5 . An assembly according to    claim 1   , wherein: 
 said boot attaching members include two sliding bolts or rods or pins that are movable between a projecting position with respect to edges of a sole of said boot and a retracted position.    
     
     
         6 . An assembly according to    claim 5   , wherein: 
 a spring is provided to draw the sliding bolts, rods or pins in the retracted position; and    a lever maintains the sliding bolts, rods or pins in a projecting stable position.    
     
     
         7 . An interface device for the assembly for retaining a boot on a gliding or walking apparatus as defined in    claim 1   , said interface device comprising: 
 a base provided to receive said boot, said base having, in an upper portion, attaching members oriented transversely provided to cooperate with said boot and, in a lower portion, a device for assembly to the ski with a detachable but non-releasable release mechanism and with automatic return.    
     
     
         8 . An interface device according to    claim 7   , wherein: 
 said base is pivotally mounted on a pivot provided with two flat portions against which springs are in support.