Binding device with front unfastening

Abstract

A device for binding a boot to a sports article, such as a ski, skate, or snowshoe. The device is of the type having a member for linking to the boot that is capable of being displaced with respect to the sports article between a low position and a high position. For fastening the boot to the device, the linkage member has a front retaining system that cooperates with a front anchoring member of the boot, and a rear retaining system that cooperates with a rear anchoring member. The front retaining system has an opening arrangement to effect the unfastening of the boot from the binding device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for binding a boot to a sports article, wherein the boot comprises a sole, the sole having a front anchor and a rear anchor located rearwardly of the front anchor, said device comprising: 
 a linkage element movable with respect to the sports article between a low position and a high position;    the linkage element comprising a front retaining system and a rear retaining system;    wherein the front and rear retaining systems cooperate respectively with the font and rear anchors of the sole for removably fastening the sole of the boot to the linkage member; and    wherein the front retaining system can be opened to allow an unfastening of the boot from the device.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front retaining system comprises an actuating member, said actuating member can actuate the front retaining system towards an open position.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front retaining system is an automatic engagement system for automatically engaging the boot.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear retaining system allows for the disengagement of the rear anchor of the boot when the front anchor is disengaged from the front retaining system.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front retaining system comprises a latch that is articulated on the linkage member.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the front retaining system is biased to a latching position by a spring element.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the front retaining system comprises a retracting ramp due to which the front retaining system is retracted to an opening position when the boot is supported on the ramp.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear retaining system comprises a hook slidingly mounted on the linkage member.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear retaining system is biased to a retaining position by a spring element.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear retaining system has an automatic engagement.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage member is connected to the sports article by at least one connecting rod.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage member takes support on the sports article by a convex surface, and wherein, when the linkage member is displaced between its high and low positions, the linkage member effects a rolling movement that slides with respect to the sports article.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage member is articulated with respect to the sports article about a stationary transverse axle.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1  in combination with the boot.  
     
     
         15 . A device in combination with the boot according to  claim 14 , wherein the sole of the boot is flexible.  
     
     
         16 . A device in combination with the boot according to  claim 14 , wherein the rear anchor of the boot sole is located in the area of or in front of a metatarso-phalangeal bending zone of the boot sole.