Abstract: The driving element and driven element of the speed variator are rotatably mounted on two parallel axes, one of which is displaceable with respect to the other. These two elements are connected to each other by a series of driving crank-arms, one end of which is pivotally coupled to one element at different points of a circle having the same axis whilst the opposite end is intended to be coupled with the other element at a point of a circle having the same axis as that other element by a unidirectional coupling. These couplings consist of shoes pivotally mounted on the corresponding ends of the driving crank-arms and being each capable of jamming in turn on a circular track provided on the corresponding element of the variator whilst the other shoes slide on the track, all the driving crank-arms being intended to revolve in the same diametral plane or in two parallel planes.

Abstract: A method for zero-resetting of a device for measuring transmitted torque while a cycle is in motion consists in monitoring a phenomenon or a parameter which is normally variable during normal use of the cycle and which disappears or becomes constant when the driving wheel rotates on free-wheel motion. When the disappearance or the constant character of the phenomenon or parameter thus monitored is observed during a predetermined period of time, one initiates zero-resetting of the detector system or of the measuring system proper of the torque-measuring device. The device for carrying out the method includes on the one hand a monitor for the phenomenon or parameter and on the other hand a control which are operated in dependence on the signal emitted by the monitor and which are then capable of producing action on the detection system or the measuring system in order to reset either of these two systems to zero.

Abstract: Detectors consisting of electric strain gages placed on one end of a bicycle wheel spindle and incorporated in the wheel hub are connected to an electric circuit which includes an apparatus for indicating the value of torque transmitted by the wheel. The strain gages can be influenced only by variations in the force applied to the spindle end in the horizontal plane which passes through the center of the spindle. There is thus measured only the horizontal component of the shearing force applied to the wheel spindle, from which it is possible to deduce the value of torque transmitted to the wheel. Instead of being fixed directly on one end of the wheel spindle, the strain gages can be fixed on a member which is associated with the spindle end, the member being capable of bending or undergoing deformation in the horizontal plane which passes through the center of the wheel spindle.

Abstract: The hub (3) of the bicycle (1) is connected to a chain-driven sprocket (10, 12) through a sleeve (11) carrying the sprocket(s), and through a driving mechanism which comprises a driving member (15) slidable inside the sleeve (11) and driven in rotation by this sleeve, and a driven member (16) slidable on the fixed axle (8) of the hub. The driving member (15) and the driven member (16) which is linked to the hub (3) through a free-wheel device (19, 24, 25) both carry cams (27) producing an axial thrust which pushes these members (15, 16) apart when they are rotated. This axial thrust is applied through a thrust bearing (33-36) to a sensing device comprising a strain gauge (29) mounted on a flexible non-rotating disk (28) carried on the fixed axle (8). Signals from the sensor are processed by a measuring and display device (6) attached to the handlebar, so that the rider may know at all times the value of the torque transmitted to the wheel.

Abstract: A safety device for the foot-holder of a sailboard or the like in which the foot-holder has a strap in the form of a loop fixed at one end on the sailboard. The other end of the strap is secured to a latch which can be engaged in a locking body with a first elasticity in a first predetermined direction and then locked in the locking body with a second elasticity in a second direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction. The latch and locking body are so arranged that under the action of a pulling stress exerted on the latch in the second direction, the latch is unlocked in a direction to enlarge the loop while remaining engaged in the locking body. But under the action of a shearing stress exerted on the latch in the first direction, the latch is released from the locking body and opens the hoop.

Abstract: A device for fastening a shoe on a bicycle pedal essentially comprises at least one retaining member attached to the undersurface of the sole of the shoe, the retaining member being provided with a rear retaining recess having a rearwardly directed opening and with a front retaining recess having a forwardly directed opening. Rear and front anchoring members on the pedal are provided respectively with rear and front anchoring elements located at a longitudinal distance from each other which is slightly shorter than or equal to the distance between the rear retaining recess and the front retaining recess of the retaining member attached to the shoe so as to be capable of engaging and locking respectively within the rear retaining recess and the front retaining recess in order to fix the shoe on the pedal.

Abstract: A mounting support for a cycling shoe is intended to be attached to the underface of the sole and adapted to cooperate with a fastener or retainer carried by the bicycle pedal. The mounting support is formed of material having high hardness and high strength and equipped with at least one pad, the lower end of which projects from the underface of the mounting support. The pad is formed of flexible and elastic material, thus providing greater comfort and safety while walking.

Abstract: The driving wheel of a bicycle or moped is fitted with radial spokes for ready detection of angular divergence between hub and rim under the action of torque. The angular position of the hub is detected by means of a perforated disk having openings which pass in front of a photoelectric sensor. A hoop attached to the rim is provided with rectangular notches which also pass in front of a photoelectric sensor. The signals produced by the sensors are sent to an electronic unit for computing the torque from the time interval by which the hoop lags with respect to the disk. In addition, detection of the passage of disk openings serves to calculate the speed which is displayed together with the power obtained by electronic multiplication of the torque by the speed.

Abstract: The heel hold-down device, notably for safety ski bindings, comprises a fixed body, a tilting heel retaining member, a control lever, and an elastic mechanism incorporating an axial coil compression spring. The fixed body has two lateral vertical walls and is operatively connected to a movable U-shaped piston of which the two flat side arms are adapted to slide parallel to the vertical walls of the body. The heel retaining member is pivoted to the side arms of the piston by means of a pair of trunnions engaging registering holes formed in the side walls of the heel retaining member and in the piston arms. The trunnions are also slidably engaged in longitudinal slots formed in the lateral walls of the fixed body.

Abstract: A resilient mechanism for maintaining the jaw unit of a safety ski binding in the normal boot-retaining position includes two vertical flat faces extending transversely on a stationary jaw-unit support. Two flat cams applied against the flat faces by a single spring consist respectively of a bearing surface of the jaw-unit body and of a small bearing plate carried by a rod on which the jaw-unit body is slidably mounted. The rod is slidably mounted within a knuckle-bearing orifice of the stationary support and is thus capable of pivotal displacement with the jaw unit in all directions on the stationary support.

Abstract: The operating pedal of a ski brake is directly pivoted about a cross-pin carried by the ski and mounted on the pedal at the end remote from the bearings which receive the elbowed extensions formed on the control ends of the braking arms. The braking ends of the arms are joined to the control ends by means of central portions which are capable of sliding on the top face of the ski during pivotal movements of the operating pedal about its cross-pin.

Abstract: A device for fastening a shoe on a bicycle pedal comprises a mounting support secured to the sole of the shoe and a pedal provided with a claw for retaining the mounting support. A twisting movement of the cyclist's foot permits lateral disengagement of the shoe by means of V-shaped control surfaces which are formed respectively on the mounting support and on the claw and are capable of producing a rearward withdrawal of the claw. The pedal is provided with fixed bearing stops which are so arranged as to absorb all the efforts exerted by the mounting support in a rearward direction in the course of normal pedaling, thus preventing any untimely shoe release.

Abstract: A ski binding of the multidirectional-trip type for obtaining a reduction in elastic resistance to rotational displacement in the event of a thrust exerted by the ski boot and in the event of upward disengagement of the boot. The ski binding comprises a boot-retaining jaw unit pivotally mounted for vertical displacement on a body which is rotatably mounted on a vertical pivot. The rotary body is maintained in the normal position by a resilient mechanism comprising two flat faces formed on opposite sides of the pivot. A bearing surface formed on the rotary body and a piston housed within the body are applied respectively against the two flat faces by a single spring. The jaw unit is provided with guide ramps and maintained in the normal position by a cross-pin the ends of which are in contact with the ramps.

Abstract: A heel-retaining device for a ski binding in which a ski brake is integrated with the device and in which the heel-holding member is carried by a rotary plate located beneath the heel of the ski boot. The rotary plate has a large opening within which are mounted the pedal for operating the pivotal arms of the ski brake together with the adjacent end portions of the braking arms. The pivot-pins of the braking arms are located below the level of the rotary plate. An upward displacement of the brake-operating pedal at the time of lifting of the ski-boot heel is not liable to interfere with the free rotational movement of the rotary plate and the components carried by the plate.

Abstract: A supporting device which is adjustable for height in order to adapt ski bindings to the thickness of ski-boot soles comprises a control member guided for longitudinal sliding motion within a stationarily fixed base plate. The control member cooperates with a support plate by means of stair-step surfaces having inclined risers. The longitudinal displacement of the control member produces a vertical displacement of the support plate by wedge effect.

Abstract: The safety ski binding is primarily intended to retain the toe end of a ski boot and comprises a yoke pivotally mounted on a cross-pin in a stationary hollow body. The jaw unit for retaining the ski boot is guided in longitudinal sliding motion within the yoke. The jaw unit is provided with semi-cylindrical grooves directed towards the ski boot and having the function of cooperating with support rods attached to the yoke. The jaw unit is also associated with a cylindrical roller which is directed away from the ski boot and is intended to cooperate with a locking lever. The ski binding provides compensation for the parasitic friction forces which arise from complex falling movements involving forward-fall and twisting motion as well as backward-fall and twisting motion.

Abstract: The braking arms of the ski brake are carried solely by an operating pedal which is pivoted to the ski about a transverse axis. The corresponding control ends of the braking arms are elbowed so as to form a V, the point of which is directed away from the braking shoes and/or away from the top face of the ski. The control ends are rotatably mounted within bores having the same angular orientation and formed in the operating pedal. By means of an elastic plug applied against a flat face formed in each control end, the braking arms are caused to rotate upon completion of an upward displacement and the active ends of the arms are automatically restored to their inwardly withdrawn position above the ski.

Abstract: A toe-abutment member providing safety ski boot release in the event of a backward-fall movement combined with a twisting movement of the skier's leg comprises a fixed locking member having an inclined ramp and an abutment body pivotally mounted on a cross-pin. The jaw unit for retaining the toe end of the ski boot is movably mounted within the abutment body and carries a transverse rod which is applied against the ramp by means of a spring-loaded piston.

Abstract: The axis of rotation of a plate which carries the heel-holding member of a ski binding is forwardly inclined at an angle approximately between 8.degree. and 20.degree. with respect to a vertical axis perpendicular to the top ski face. This angle of slope is close in value to the forward slope imposed on the skier's tibia by the shape of the ski boot. The top surface of the rotary plate nevertheless remains parallel to the top ski face.