Ratchet tightening device for retaining a strap, and a snowboard binding having such tightening device

Abstract

A device for tightening a strap including a base, a drive lever, a ratchet, and a release button. The base has a first and second flange connected by a bridge. The lever and the ratchet are journalled on the base, the retaining portion of the ratchet being elastically biased toward the bridge, The button is substantially retracted with respect to the lever, or with respect to the flanges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bridge, when the lever is in a rest position that enables the strap to be retained, a position in which a handling end of the lever is the closest to the bridge. The invention is also directed to a snowboard binding that incorporates the tightening device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for tightening a strap, the device comprising: 
 a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges;    a lever journalled on said base between said flanges, said lever comprising: 
 driving end adapted to drive the strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and  
 a handling end for manual manipulation;  
   a ratchet journalled on said base between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining part to oppose displacement of the strap along a second direction opposite to the first direction, an elastic mechanism applying a biasing force to constantly bias said retaining part of said ratchet toward said bridge;    a release button provided to move said retaining part of said ratchet in a direction away from said bridge against said biasing force of said elastic mechanism, said release button being substantially retracted with respect to said lever, or with respect to said flanges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to said bridge, when said lever is in a rest position, enabling the strap to be retained, said handling end of said lever being closest to said bridge in said rest position.    
     
     
         2 . A tightening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever comprises a first wing and a second wing, said handling end of said release button being housed between said first and second wings.  
     
     
         3 . A tightening device according to  claim 1 , wherein said ratchet and said release button are two distinct pieces.  
     
     
         4 . A tightening device comprising: 
 a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges, said bridge adapted to be affixed to a surface;    a lever journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said lever comprising: 
 a driving end adapted to drive a toothed strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and  
 a handling end for manual manipulation, said handling end being movable through a plurality of positions, including: 
 a rest position; and  
 a range of positions, from said rest position along a path extending away from said bridge during driving of said toothed strap;  
 
   a ratchet journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining part movable between two positions, including: 
 an engaged position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is elastically biased toward said bridge in engagement with the toothed strap, opposing displacement of the toothed strap in said second direction, opposite of said first direction, in said rest position and in said range of positions of said handling end of said lever; and  
 a release position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is moved from said engaged position away from said bridge and out of engagement with the toothed strap;  
   a release member mounted on said base to move said retaining part of said ratchet from said engaged position to said release position while said handling end of said lever is in said rest position.    
     
     
         5 . A tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said release member and said lever are mounted on said base about a single axis.  
     
     
         6 . A tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said lever comprising a first wing and a second wing, said release member comprises a handling end positioned between said first and second wings.  
     
     
         7 . A tightening device according to  claim 4 , wherein said ratchet and said release button comprise two distinct pieces.  
     
     
         8 . A sports-related item comprising a tightening device according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         9 . A snowboard binding comprising: 
 (A) a baseplate, first and second spaced apart lateral edges extending upwardly from said baseplate, and an arch connecting said first and second lateral edges behind a boot to be retained by the binding;    (B) a linkage to removably retain the boot upon the baseplate, said linkage comprising: 
 (1) a covering member to extend over a forward area of the boot, said covering being connected to said first lateral edge;  
 (2) a strap connected to said second lateral edge;  
 (3) a tightening device comprising: 
 (a) a base having a first flange, a second flange, and a bridge connecting said first and second flanges, said bridge fixed to said covering member;  
 (b) a lever journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said lever comprising: 
 (i) a driving end adapted to drive a toothed strap along a first direction substantially parallel to said flanges and to said bridge; and  
 (ii) a handling end for manual manipulation, said handling end being movable through a plurality of positions, said plurality of positions including a rest position and a range of positions, said range of positions extending from said rest position along a path extending away from said bridge during driving of said toothed strap;  
 
 (c) a ratchet journalled on said base for movement about an axis extending between said flanges, said ratchet having a retaining pat movable between two positions, including: 
 (i) an engaged position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is elastically biased toward said bridge in engagement with the toothed strap, opposing displacement of the toothed strap in said second direction, opposite of said first direction, in said rest position and in said range of positions of said handling end of said lever; and  
 (ii) a release position in which said retaining part of said ratchet is moved from said engaged position away from said bridge and out of engagement with the toothed strap;  
 
 (d) a release member mounted on said base to move said retaining part of said ratchet from said engaged position to said release position while said handling end of said lever is in said rest position.