Abstract: A reinforcement for a boot, in particular a sports boot, more particularly a cross-country ski boot. The boot reinforcement makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, efficiency, durability, lightness, cost, foot protection, and industrial workability. To achieve this goal, the boot reinforcement according to the invention includes a front zone A from the front end up to the beginning of the plantar arch, a median zone B corresponding to the plantar arch, a rear zone C. The reinforcement includes, at least in the zones B and C, at least one “sandwich” structure constituted by at least one core inserted between at least two layers, and, in the zone A, it is flexible in a substantially longitudinal direction and torsionally stiff. The layers of the sandwich structure are made of composite, carbon fibers/polymeric resin, whereas the core of this sandwich structure is made of synthetic foam, wood or honeycomb.

Abstract: A sole for a sports boot, such as for cross-country skiing, and, more particularly, a sole for a sports boot which makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, flexional flexibility, efficiency of the boot, durability, lesser weight, protection of the foot, cost savings, industrial workability. To this end, the sole has a front portion, a rear portion more rigid in longitudinal bending than the front portion, and a reinforcement. The front portion has a front half-sole affixed to the reinforcement, the rear portion has a rear half-sole affixed to the reinforcement, and the front and rear half-soles are assembled to one another in a junction zone, preferably by cementing and/or riveting and/or welding. In practice, the reinforcement is made of a composite material. The front half-sole is first fixed on the front portion of the reinforcement. The rear half-sole is then fixed by cementing on the rear portion of the reinforcement, such that its front portion overlaps the rear of the front half-sole.

Abstract: A sport boot sole of the type having on its lower surface two connecting members, offset one with respect to the other in the longitudinal direction of the boot, and arranged substantially transversely, wherein the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion, and the second connecting member is arranged behind the first connecting member, and substantially in front of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone (&Dgr;). Advantageously, the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion of the toes or right in front of this end portion.

Abstract: A tightening device adapted to equip an article of footwear, which makes it possible to hold the foot laterally, while distributing on the foot the pressure generated by the tightening device. The tightening device includes an upper flap that partially covers a lower flap. The flaps hold the foot by the tightening device which includes at least one anchor positioned on each of the flaps. The upper flap is more flexible than the lower flap.

Abstract: A sport boot sole having at least one arrangement for connecting the boot to a sport article along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boot, this connecting arrangement having an anchoring device in the sole, wherein the anchoring device is arranged along a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole and is independent. Advantageously, each connecting arrangement is constituted by a substantially U-shaped buckle having a transverse arm defining the articulation axle and two lateral arms, and each lateral arm is anchored along a substantially vertical direction inside the sole.

Abstract: A sport boot sole of the type having on its lower surface two connecting members, offset one with respect to the other in the longitudinal direction of the boot, and arranged substantially transversely, wherein the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion, and the second connecting member is arranged behind the first connecting member, and substantially in front of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone (&Dgr;). Advantageously, the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion of the toes or right in front of this end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a shoe to a gliding element. The apparatus includes a blocking/anchoring mechanism of the shoe in an anchoring zone thereof extending substantially from the front end of the shoe to the area of the metatarso-phalangeal journal zone or in front thereof. The apparatus includes an arrangement for rocking the blocking/anchoring mechanism, this rocking arrangement being positioned in the anchoring zone of the shoe and being designed so as to allow for a predetermined angle of movement of the shoe assembly with respect to the gliding element. Preferably, the maximum angle of movement of the blocking/anchoring mechanism is between about 5° and 30°.

Abstract: The sole comprises three layers, including (a) an outer or ground contact sole (7) having flexibility, ground-gripping, and abrasion-resistance properties, (b) an upper or comfort layer (8) positioned directly beneath the foot and having elastic shock-absorption properties, and (c) an intermediate layer or rib (9) positioned directly between the upper portion of the contact layer (7) and the lower portion of the comfort layer (8) and having torsional rigidity properties which provide both for the distribution of shocks sensed by the contact layer (7) and for their diffusion over the comfort layer (8) before they come into contact with the foot (4).

Abstract: A boot/binding device apparatus assembly for a boot on a gliding member is of the type including an arrangement for binding the front end of the boot, the rear end of the boot being free to be raised with respect to the gliding member. The assembly includes an arrangement for control and continues elastic return of the boot towards the gliding member, located at the rear of the binding device of the front end of the boot. Advantageously, the control and elastic return arrangement is constituted by an anchoring device for the binding device cooperating with anchoring apparatus associated with the boot, at least one of the anchoring device of the boot or of the binding device being provided with an elastic return mechanism.

Abstract: A device for automatic binding of a sporting good on a corresponding boot representing an axial immobilization mechanism capable of cooperating with a corresponding notch arranged transversely on a binding body affixed to the sporting good and including an associated latch that can be activated from a latching position of the immobilization mechanism of the boot and vice versa, by way of a control device arranged on the binding body, and acting on the latch. The latching or unlatching control device of the latch are constituted by a knuckle joint type system acting on the immobilization mechanism of the boot and activated by one of the ends of the latter. The immobilization mechanism is arranged transversely in an intermediate zone of the sole of the boot, located between its two ends.

Abstract: A lightning arrester device with a housing (7) having two electrical contact terminals and consisting of at least one housing element (7a, 7b) containing at least one protective element (13) with terminals electrically connected to the contact terminals, the protective element being embedded in an insulating material (17) contained in the housing element (7). At least one sturdy sleeve (19) is inserted between the housing element (7) and the protective element (13) in the insulating material (17). The housing element (7a, 7b) constitutes one of the contact terminals.

Abstract: A device for automatic binding and indexing a boot on a sporting good. The device for binding a sporting good on a corresponding boot has a transverse journal axle in a front zone of its sole and is capable of cooperating with a corresponding notch provided on a binding body affixed to the sporting good and comprises an associated latch that can be activated from a latching position to an unlatching position of the transverse journal axle of the boot and vice versa, by means of control members arranged on the binding body and acting elastically on the latch. It includes an arrangement for indexing the end of the boot on the binding body with respect to the notch in which the transverse journal axle of the boot is engaged at the time of the fitting of the sporting good, the axle being arranged at a distance from the end of the boot that is substantially equal to that separating its means for indexing the notch, so as to enable an automatic and blind fitting of the sporting device.

Abstract: A binding including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw adapted to retain, on the ski, the tip of a boot provided with a transverse journal axle. The mechanism for closing the binding includes a knuckle joint formed, on the one hand, by a lever journalled on a slide bearing the movable jaw, and on the other hand, an elastic frame which is itself journalled on the lever that is supported on the mounting plate fixed on the ski. The support zone of the frame on the plate is elastically mobile frontwardly along a limited path. This displacement occurs by deformation of an elastic tongue carried by the base plate, which enables the binding to be closed even in the presence of a thin wedge of snow lodged between the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a device for observing from a distance the change of mode in feed current by city current of an electrical appliance by means of a telephone line characterized in that it comprises: means for detecting the presence or the absence of city current to the feed terminals of the electrical appliance, control means, triggered by the detecting means when there occurs a change of mode in the feed of said electrical appliance, switch means, capable of placing the telephone line either in a first free position or in a second engaged position, the control means acting upon the switch means to reverse the position of the telephone line when the detecting means detect a change of mode in the feed of said electrical appliance by city current. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An ion source is described, including a source of neutral particles which arrive at an ionization support positioned inside a chamber which is closed by a cap and which includes lateral walls. The cap includes an outlet orifice opposite which a plate defines a main ionization active surface. An electric field is applied between said device and by an electrode place downstream from the orifice in the direction of ion emission and fitted with a corresponding opening. Overall, the ionization support defines, by virtue of its active surface, and by virtue of holes surrounding said central active surface, a baffle assembly which prevents neutral atoms from passing directly to the outlet orifice, and which contributes to a high degree of ionization.