Interface device for a gliding board, a gliding apparatus including such device, and a method of manufacture

Abstract

An interface device between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, the interface device including a raising platform having an upper surface with at least one zone for receiving the retaining element, as well as a lower surface; a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of the raising platform, the longitudinal stiffener being positioned beneath the raising platform. The raising platform includes two parallel rails on which the retaining element of the boot can slide. The longitudinal stiffener includes a first planar portion sandwiched between the raising platform and the upper surface of the gliding board, and the planar portion is parallel to the upper surface of the gliding board. The invention also includes a gliding board equipped with the interface device, as well as a method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus that includes the interface device.

1 . An interface device adapted to be positioned between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, said device comprising:
 a raising platform having a thickness, an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one zone for receiving said retaining element;   a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of said raising platform, said stiffener being positioned beneath the raising platform.   
   
   
       2 . An interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said raising platform comprises two parallel rails;   said retaining element for the boot is slidable on said rails.   
   
   
       3 . An interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the longitudinal stiffener comprises a first planar portion sandwiched between said raising platform and the upper surface of the gliding board;   said planar portion is parallel to said upper surface of the gliding board.   
   
   
       4 . An interface device according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said longitudinal stiffener comprises a first secant portion;   said first secant portion forms a non-null angle with said first planar portion.   
   
   
       5 . An interface device according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said angle is equal to 90°.   
   
   
       6 . An interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said raising platform comprises structure to increasing flexibility of said raising platform.   
   
   
       7 . An interface device according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said structure comprises notches.   
   
   
       8 . An interface device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said raising platform comprises a first arm and a second arm parallel to the first arm;   one of said rails is arranged on each of the arms.   
   
   
       9 . An interface device according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a bridging section arranged between said first arm and said second arm.   
   
   
       10 . An interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said longitudinal stiffener comprises a second planar portion connected to said first planar portion by a bridging section;   said first planar portion and said second planar portion have equal heights;   said bridging section has a height greater than said heights of said first and second planar portions.   
   
   
       11 . An interface device according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said raising platform comprises a first arm positioned on the first planar portion and a second arm positioned on the second planar portion.   
   
   
       12 . A gliding apparatus comprising:
 a gliding board; and   an interface device adapted to be positioned between an element for retaining a boot on the gliding board, said interface device comprising:
 a raising platform having a thickness, an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one zone for receiving said retaining element; 
 a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of said raising platform, said stiffener being positioned beneath the raisin 
   
   
   
       13 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a front retaining element and a rear retaining element;   at least one of said retaining elements being fixed to said interface device.   
   
   
       14 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 said front retaining element and said rear retaining element are fixed to said interface device.   
   
   
       15 . A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to  claim 12 , said method comprising:
 manufacturing the gliding board; and   fixing said interface device on an upper surface of said gliding board.   
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to  claim 12 , said method comprising:
 preparing various parts comprising the gliding board, said parts including a core;   filling a mold with said parts and with said interface device,   placing the mold in a press for a time to assemble together said parts and said interface device;   removing the gliding board equipped with said interface device from the mold.   
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to  claim 12 , said method comprising:
 preparing various parts comprising the gliding board;   filling a mold with said parts and with said interface device;   injecting the core of the gliding board into the mold;   removing the gliding board equipped with said interface device from the mold.