Locking device for a ski boot

Abstract

The locking device ( 10 ) for locking a rotary articulation between a lower shell ( 2 ) and a cuff ( 3 ) of a ski boot ( 1 ) includes an immobilizing element ( 20 ) movable in translation between immobilizing and release positions, a blade ( 14 ) having a stop surface ( 21 A, 21 B) to interact with the immobilizing element to lock the rotary articulation when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position, a lever ( 11 ) intended to be manipulated by a user, the lever being movable between locking and unlocking positions, and a toggle ( 38 ) mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation (Y 1 ) and having first ( 47 ) and second ( 48 ) bearing surfaces opposite with respect to the first axis of rotation. The lever is configured to exert a thrust against the first bearing surface to cause the toggle to pivot about the first axis of rotation. The second bearing surface is configured to exert a thrust against the immobilizing element to move it between its immobilizing and its release positions.

1 . A locking device for locking a rotary articulation between a lower shell and a cuff of a ski boot, comprising:
 an immobilizing element movable in translation between an immobilizing position and a release position,   a blade comprising a stop surface intended to interact with the immobilizing element so as to lock the rotary articulation when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position,   a lever intended to be manipulated by a user, the lever being movable between a locking position and an unlocking position,   a toggle mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation, the toggle comprising a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface opposite the first bearing surface with respect to the first axis of rotation,   the lever being configured to exert a thrust against the first bearing surface so as to cause the toggle to pivot about the first axis of rotation,   the second bearing surface being configured to exert a thrust against the immobilizing element so as to move the immobilizing element between the immobilizing position and the release position.   
     
     
         2 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a return means comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being in contact with the lever, the second end being in contact with the first bearing surface of the toggle, the return means being configured to be placed under tension temporarily when the lever is moved between the locking position and the unlocking position. 
     
     
         3 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immobilizing element comprises a recess, and wherein the second bearing surface of the toggle is in contact with an edge of the recess. 
     
     
         4 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lever is movable in rotation about a second axis of rotation between the locking position and the unlocking position, the second axis of rotation being parallel to the first axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade is mounted rotatably about a third axis of rotation, the blade being intended to pivot about the third axis of rotation when the immobilizing element is in the release position and the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell, the third axis of rotation being parallel to the first axis of rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a casing intended to be attached to the cuff or to the lower shell, the casing comprising a guide designed to guide the immobilizing element in translation between the immobilizing position and the release position. 
     
     
         7 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the casing further comprises at least one guide designed to guide the blade in translation relative to the casing when the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell. 
     
     
         8 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising a first shaft extending along the first axis of rotation, the casing comprising two opposite lateral flanks supporting the first shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immobilizing element is movable in translation parallel to a fourth axis between the immobilizing position and the release position, and wherein the blade moves in a plane substantially perpendicular to the fourth axis when the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell. 
     
     
         10 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immobilizing element comprises a first guide surface and the blade comprises a second guide surface, the first guide surface interacting with the second guide surface so as to guide the movement of the blade relative to the immobilizing element when the immobilizing element is in the release position and the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell. 
     
     
         11 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the blade comprises a groove, and wherein the second guide surface is formed by at least one edge of the groove. 
     
     
         12 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the immobilizing element comprises a lug, and wherein the blade comprises a first opening having a shape complementary to a shape of the lug, the lug interacting with the first opening when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position. 
     
     
         13 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a casing provided with a wall, the blade being intended to move relative to the wall when the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell, the wall comprising a second opening, the lug being positioned in the second opening when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position. 
     
     
         14 . The locking device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the immobilizing element comprises a first portion adapted to interact with the first opening so as to lock the rotary articulation between the cuff and the lower shell when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position, and a second portion having at least one flat face forming a first guide surface interacting with a second guide surface of the blade so as to guide the movement of the blade relative to the immobilizing element when the immobilizing element is in the release position and the cuff pivots relative to the lower shell. 
     
     
         15 . A ski boot comprising:
 a lower shell,   a cuff articulated rotatably to the lower shell, and   a locking device as claimed in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         16 . A ski boot comprising:
 a lower shell,   a cuff articulated rotatably to the lower shell, and   a locking device for locking a rotary articulation between the lower shell and the cuff,   the locking device comprising:
 an immobilizing element movable between an immobilizing position and a release position, 
 a blade intended to interact with the immobilizing element so as to lock the rotary articulation when the immobilizing element is in the immobilizing position, 
 a lever adapted to be manipulated by a user, the lever being movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, 
 a transmission means connecting the lever to the immobilizing element, the transmission means being configured so that the movement of the lever into the locking position tends to move the immobilizing element into the immobilizing position and the movement of the lever into the unlocking position tends to move the immobilizing element into the release position, 
 wherein the blade comprises a bearing surface intended to interact with the lever so as to move the lever into the locking position. 
   
     
     
         17 . The ski boot as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the bearing surface is intended to come into direct contact with a reception surface of the lever so as to move the lever into the locking position. 
     
     
         18 . The ski boot as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the blade comprises a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the blade being mounted rotatably about a third axis of rotation positioned at the first end, the bearing surface being positioned at the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The ski boot as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the bearing surface of the blade is formed by an edge of the blade. 
     
     
         20 . The ski boot as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the lever is movable in rotation about a second axis of rotation between the locking position and the unlocking position, and wherein the lever comprises a reception surface intended to come into direct contact with the bearing surface of the blade, the reception surface being offset from the second axis of rotation.