Device for binding a boot to a gliding board

Abstract

A device for binding a boot to a gilding board including a front retaining element, a rear retaining element, an element for connecting the front retaining element to the rear retaining element, and a return spring exerting a force urging the front retaining element toward the rear retaining element, the connecting element and the return element being aligned, and the connecting element including an articulation with respect to the front retaining element and/or the rear retaining element.

1 . A device for binding a boot to a gliding board, said device comprising:
 a front retaining element;   a rear retaining element;   an element for connecting the front retaining element to the rear retaining element;   a return spring exerting a force in a direction urging the front retaining element and the rear retaining element toward each other;   said connecting element and said return element being aligned;   said connecting element comprising an articulation with respect to the front retaining element and/or the rear retaining element;   said connecting element being rigid in tension and in compression for successively ensuring a pulling effect when the ski flexes, and a pushing effect when the gliding board counterflexes and recovers a natural curvature.   
     
     
         2 . A binding device according to  claim 1 , wherein;
 said connecting element comprises a front rod, a rear rod, and a mechanism for lengthwise adjustment.   
     
     
         3 . A binding device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said articulation comprises a first articulation between said front rod and said front retaining element;   said first articulation comprises a ball-and-socket joint at an end of said front rod.   
     
     
         4 . A binding device according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said articulation further comprises a second articulation between said rear rod and said rear retaining element;   said second articulation comprises an eyelet arranged in said rear retaining element, said rear rod extending through said eyelet.   
     
     
         5 . A gliding apparatus comprising:
 a gliding board;   a device adapted to be affixed to said gliding board for binding a boot to the gliding board, said device comprising:
 a front retaining element; 
 a rear retaining element; 
 an element for connecting the front retaining element to the rear retaining element; 
 a return spring exerting a force in a direction urging the front retaining element and the rear retaining element toward each other; 
 said connecting element and said return element being aligned; 
 said connecting element comprising an articulation with respect to the front retaining element and/or the rear retaining element; 
 said connecting element being rigid in tension and in compression for successively ensuring a pulling effect when the ski flexes, and a pushing effect when the gilding board counterflexes and recovers a natural curvature. 
   
     
     
         6 . A gilding apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a ski brake positioned between said front retaining element and said rear retaining element;   said ski brake comprising a first ski half-brake positioned on a first side of the gliding board and a second ski half-brake positioned on a second side of the gliding board.   
     
     
         7 . A gilding apparatus comprising:
 a gliding board;   a ski brake adapted to be affixed to said gliding board;   a device adapted to be affixed to said gliding board for binding a boot to the gliding board, said device comprising:
 a front retaining element; 
 a rear retaining element; 
 an element for connecting the front retaining element to the rear retaining element; 
 a return spring exerting a force in a direction urging the front retaining element and the rear retaining element toward each other; 
 said connecting element and said return element being aligned; 
   said ski brake comprising a first ski half-brake positioned on a first side of the gliding board and a second ski half-brake positioned on a second side of the gliding board;   a central channel being arranged between the first ski half-brake and the second ski half-brake;   said connecting element extending through said central channel.   
     
     
         8 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an articulation between said connecting element and at least one of said first and second retaining elements.   
     
     
         9 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said connecting element is rigid in tension and rigid in compression, so as ensure successively a pulling effect when the ski flexes and a pushing effect when the ski recovers to a natural curvature.   
     
     
         10 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said connecting element comprises a front rod, a rear rod, and a lengthwise adjustment mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said articulation comprises an articulation between said front rod and said front retaining element comprising a ball-and-socket joint at a front end of said front rod.   
     
     
         12 . A gliding apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said articulation comprises an articulation between said rear rod and said rear retaining element comprising an eyelet arranged in said rear retaining element, said rear rod extending through said eyelet.