Device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus

Abstract

A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The device has a lateral portion and a medial portion demarcating a zone for receiving the boot. At least one strap is connected to each of the portions. For at least one of the lateral and medial portions of the strap, a separation mechanism is provided for separation, at least partially, the lateral and/or medial portion from the receiving zone when the lateral and/or medial portion moves away from a reference position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, the device comprising: 
 a lateral portion and a medial portion demarcating a zone for receiving the boot;    at least one strap connected to each of the lateral and medial portions by a lateral fastener and by a medial fastener, at least one of the lateral and medial fasteners allowing a movement of a lateral or medial portion of the strap with respect to the lateral or medial portion;    each of the lateral and medial portions of the strap occupying a reference position with respect to the lateral or medial portion when the strap is tightened to retain the boot;    a separation mechanism for at least one of the lateral and medial portions of the strap to separate, at least partially, the lateral and/or medial portion from the receiving zone when the lateral and/or medial portion moves away from the reference position.    
     
     
         2 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 for at least one strap, each of the lateral and medial portions of the strap has a separation mechanism.    
     
     
         3 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 for each strap, each of the lateral and medial portions of the strap has a separation mechanism.    
     
     
         4 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the lateral portion and the medial portion of the device are a lateral flange and a medial flange, respectively;    at least one of the lateral fasteners is made in the form of an articulation;    each separation mechanism has a lateral or medial cam affixed to the lateral or medial flange, each cam being contained in a plane of a lateral fastener end or a medial fastener end of a strap when the lateral or medial portion is in the reference position.    
     
     
         5 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the lateral portion and the medial portion of the device are a lateral flange and a medial flange, respectively;    at least one of the lateral and medial fasteners is made in the form of an articulation;    each separation mechanism has a lateral or medial cam affixed to the lateral or medial portion of the strap, each lateral or medial cam being contained in the plane of the lateral or medial flange when the lateral or medial portion is in the reference position.    
     
     
         6 . A retaining device according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 each cam is made in the form of a protuberance projecting toward the receiving zone;    wherein each lateral and medial portion of the strap is attached to the side of the lateral or medial flange opposite the receiving zone.    
     
     
         7 . A retaining device according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the cam and the portion of the strap form a unitary element.    
     
     
         8 . A retaining device according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 each cam has variations in curvature that cause a reversible deformation of the portion of the strap.    
     
     
         9 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the separation mechanism has an articulation with an axis forming, with a longitudinal direction of the device, an angle not equal to 90°, the angle being measured in the plane of the sole of the boot when the boot is retained in the device.    
     
     
         10 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a base bordered with lateral and medial flanges, respectively, the lateral and medial flanges being the lateral and medial portions of the device.    
     
     
         11 . A retaining device according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a lateral and/or medial portion of a strap has a zone for weakening in flexion.