Method for controlling the connection between a gliding/rolling apparatus and user and a device for implementing the method

Abstract

A method and a device for controlling the connection between a user and a gliding or rolling apparatus on which the user is retained by a releasable retaining system, i.e., such as between a skier and ski by means of a ski binding. According to the method, the values of at least two flexion and torsion angles between the user's upper leg and lower leg are measured and the values of these angles in relation with the angles that indicate a critical posture of the user are considered, and the release of the retaining system is caused if the angle values measured exceed the indicative values. The device includes a member for measuring at least two angles and a processing circuit in relation with a table of indicative values.

1 . A method for controlling a connection of a user to a gliding or rolling apparatus to which the user is retained by a releasable retaining system equipped with a two-state retaining member, a first state of said two states being a retaining state, a second state of said two states being a release state, said method comprising:
 measuring, during the retaining state of the retaining member, at least two distinct flexion or torsion angles between the user's upper leg and lower leg and determining a measured value for each of said at least two angles;   comparing the measured value of each of said at least two angles to a respective posture-indicative value;   transmitting a command to cause the two-state retaining member to be in said release state when, for each of said at least two angles, the measured value exceeds the respective posture-indicative value.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said measuring at least two angles comprises measuring a knee-bend angle (AFX) and at least one of the following angles: a valgus angle (AVG), a varus angle (AVR), a medial rotation angle (ARI), and a lateral rotation angle (ARE).   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said measuring at least two angles comprises measuring at least two angles from among the following angles on two decision-making levels: flexion angle (AFX), varus angle (AVR), valgus angle (AVG), medial rotation angle (ARI), and lateral rotation angle (ARE).   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 on a first of said two decision-making levels, at least one angle from among the following angles is measured: medial rotation angle (ARI), flexion angle (AFX), and algus angle (AVG).   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said measuring comprises measuring the medial rotation angle (ARI) and the flexion angle (AFX);   said comparing results in determining whether the medial rotation angle (ARI) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 15 degrees and whether the flexion angle (AFX) is less than the respective posture-indicative value by about 20 degrees.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said measuring comprises measuring the medial rotation angle (ARI) and the and the varus angle (AVR);   said comparing results in determining whether the medial rotation angle (ARI) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 15 degrees and whether the varus angle (AVR) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 5 degrees.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said measuring comprises measuring the flexion angle (AFX) and the medial rotation angle (ARI);   said comparing results in determining whether the flexion angle (AFX) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 90 degrees and whether the medial rotation angle (ARI) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 15 degrees.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said measuring comprises measuring the valgus angle (AVG) and the lateral rotation angle (ARE);   said comparing results in determining whether the valgus angle (AVG) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 5 degrees and whether the lateral rotation angle (ARE) is greater than the respective posture-indicative value by about 15 degrees.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring, in an initialization phase, at least part of said at least two distinct flexion or torsion angles at rest.   
     
     
         10 . A control device for controlling a connection of a user to a gliding or rolling apparatus while the user is retained to the apparatus by a releasable retaining system equipped with a two-state retaining member, a first state of said two states being a retaining state, and a second state of said two states being a release state, said device comprising:
 a measuring member for measuring at least two distinct flexion or torsion angles between the user's upper leg and lower leg.   
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said at lease two distinct flexion or torsion angles comprises an angle corresponding to knee bend (AFX) and at least one angle from among the following angles: a valgus angle (AVG), a varus angle (AVR), a medial rotation angle (ARI), a lateral rotation angle (ARE).   
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a table of user posture-indicative values associated with at least part of the flexion or torsion angles (AFX, AVG, AVR, ARI, ARE).   
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a processing circuit for analyzing measuring signals transmitted by the measuring member and for comparing said measuring signals to the posture-indicative values of the table.