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A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type including a retaining system through which the boot is fixed to the sports article with a possibility to move relative to the sports article, between a low position and a high position, of the type including a system for the elastic return

A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type including a retaining system through which the boot is fixed to the sports article with a possibility to move relative to the sports article, between a low position and a high position, of the type including a system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, and of the type in which the retaining system functions independently of the elastic return system, and in which the elastic return system is part of a pre-assembled unitary module.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position; and an elastic return system for the elastic

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position; and an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module, the elastic return system comprising at least one elastic member connected to the sports article and a flexible linkage flexing during said movement of the boot during use of the device, said linkage connecting the elastic member directly or indirectly to the boot; in said high position of the boot, at least a portion of the flexible linkage extending in a single direction both downward and rearward from the boot; the retaining system retaining the boot independently of the elastic return system. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the retaining system comprises a movable jaw and a fixed jaw, said movable jaw being movable toward said fixed jaw for locking the boot to the sports article against movement other than said movement between the low position and the high position. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein: in said high position of the boot, the flexible linkage extends in a direction downwardly and rearwardly from the boot. 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the flexible linkage comprises a linkage element that bends during said movement of the boot between the low position and the high position. 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein: the boot extends from a rear of the boot to a front of the boot in a direction along a longitudinal plane while the boot is retained by the retaining system; the flexible linkage of the elastic return system comprises a flexible element extending in said direction. 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein: the elastic return system further comprises a return element; the flexible linkage of the elastic return system comprises a linkage element guided by the return element, said linkage element being displaced in a direction extending along a length of said linkage element to and from the return element during said movement of the boot between the low position and the high position. 7. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position and for preventing a rearward release of the boot; and an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, said elastic return system being structured and arranged to apply an elastic return force extending in a direction from an area within a front third of a length of the boot; the elastic return system comprising at least one elastic member connected to the sports article, and an elongated linkage having a length and being flexible within a plane extending along said length, said elongated linkage connecting the elastic member directly or indirectly to the boot; the retaining system retaining the boot independently of the elastic return system; the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module; the pre-assembled unitary module being at least partially independently fixed on the sports article independent of the retaining system. 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the pre-assembled unitary module is partially fixed on the sports article with cooperation with the retaining system. 9. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the pre-assembled unitary module comprises a base, the elastic return module being adapted to be fixed to the sports article via the base. 10. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the retaining system comprises at least one member for anchoring on the sports article, said member being covered by the pre-assembled unitary module when the module is fixed on the sports article. 11. A device according to claim 7, further comprising: at least one return member; the flexible linkage being in cooperative engagement with the return member. 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein: the elastic return system comprises a hook connected to the flexible linkage, and which is adapted to hook a fastening rod of the boot. 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein: in the absence of the boot, the hook is automatically brought by the elastic return system toward a resting position that is predetermined by the cooperation of the hook with complementary shapes of the device. 14. A device according to claim 13, further comprising: an opening mechanism that drives the hook from the resting position toward a waiting released position that enables the positioning of a boot, and wherein, when the hook returns to the resting position, the fastening rod of the boot is arranged on the path of the hook in order to ensure that the hook engages the fastening rod. 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein: the unitary elastic return module comprises a slide that is movably mounted on the module, and on which the shapes complementary to those of the hook are arranged; and displacement of the hook, from its resting position to its waiting released position, is controlled by a corresponding displacement of the slide. 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein: the displacement of the slide is controlled by a mechanism for controlling the opening/closure of the retaining system. 17. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the retaining system comprises jaws adapted to receive a rod for articulating the boot about an axis of the rod in the manner of a hinge. 18. A device according to claim 7, wherein: in addition to the elastic return system, the device comprises a rigid or elastic abutment acting at the end of the boot travel. 19. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the pre-assembled unitary module comprises a mechanism for adjusting the intensity of the elastic return effect. 20. A device according to claim 19, wherein: the mechanism for adjusting the intensity of the elastic return effect makes it possible to adjust a more or less substantial pre-stress of the elastic member. 21. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the retaining system comprises at least one member for anchoring on the sports article, said member being covered by the pre-assembled unitary module when the elastic return module is fixed on the sports article. 22. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the elastic return system comprises a flexible linkage, said flexible linkage comprising having a length along which a traction force is exerted as the boot is moved between the low position and high position, said flexible linkage being flexible within a plane extending along a length of said flexible linkage; the elastic return system further comprises a guide for the flexible linkage, the guide guiding the flexible linkage in a change of direction of the flexible linkage between the elastic member and the boot. 23. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the device is adapted to be used with a boot having a first connecting member and a second connecting member, said connecting members being longitudinally spaced-apart; the retaining system includes a jaw for engagement with the first connecting member for connecting the boot to the sports article; the elastic return system of the pre-assembled unitary module includes an engagement member for engaging with the second connecting member of the boot; the retaining system, including said jaw, is adapted to be fixed to the sports article before the pre-assembled unitary module, including said engagement member, is mounted upon the sports article. 24. A device according to claim 23, wherein: the first and second connecting members of the boot are first and second transversely extending pins; the engagement member of the elastic return system is a hook adapted to engage said second transversely extending pin of the boot. 25. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the flexible linkage comprises an elongated member capable of flexing during use of the device, a traction force being exerted along a length of the flexible elongated member as the boot is moved between the low position and the high position. 26. A device according to claim 25, wherein: the flexible elongated member is a flexible band. 27. A device according to claim 25, wherein: the elastic return system further comprises a guide for the elongated member, the guide guiding movement of the elongated member along a length of the elongated member as the boot is moved between the low position and the high position. 28. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the elastic return system comprising a flexible linkage extending to attachment with the boot during use of the device; in said high position of the boot, the flexible linkage extends in a direction downwardly and rearwardly from the boot. 29. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the elastic return system being structured and arranged to apply an elastic return force extending in a direction from substantially a metatarsophalangeal articulation of the boot. 30. A device according to claim 7, wherein: the device is adapted to be used with a boot having a sole with a front attachment and a rear attachment; the retaining system is structured and arranged to be connected to said front attachment; the elastic return system is structured and arranged to be connected to said rear attachment. 31. A device according to claim 30, wherein: the front attachment is a first transversely extending pin; the rear attachment is a second transversely extending pin. 32. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position and for preventing a rearward release of the boot; and an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, said elastic return system being structured and arranged to apply an elastic return force extending in a direction from an area within a front third of a length of the boot; the elastic return system comprising at least one elastic member connected to the sports article, and an elongated linkage having a length and being flexible within a plane extending along said length, said elongated linkage connecting the elastic member directly or indirectly to the boot; the retaining system retaining the boot independently of the elastic return system; the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module; the pre-assembled unitary module being adapted to be dismounted from the sports article independently of the retaining system. 33. A device according to claim 32, wherein: the device is adapted to be functional with any one of a plurality of different unitary return modules incorporating distinct elastic return systems. 34. A device according to claim 33, wherein: in said high position of the boot, the flexible linkage extends in a direction downwardly and rearwardly from the boot. 35. A device according to claim 32, wherein: the retaining system comprises at least one member for anchoring on the sports article, said member being covered by the pre-assembled unitary module when the module is fixed on the sports article. 36. A device according to claim 32, wherein: the device is adapted to be used a with boot having a first connecting member and a second connecting member, said connecting members being longitudinally spaced-apart; the retaining system includes a jaw for engagement with the first connecting member for connecting the boot to the sports article; the elastic return system of the pre-assembled unitary module includes an engagement member for engaging with the second connecting member of the boot; the retaining system, including said jaw, is adapted to be fixed to the sports article before the pre-assembled unitary module, including said engagement member, is mounted upon the sports article. 37. A device according to claim 36, wherein: the first and second connecting members of the boot are first and second transversely extending pins; the engagement member of the elastic return system is a hook adapted to engage said second transversely extending pin of the boot. 38. A device according to claim 32, wherein: in said high position of the boot, the flexible linkage extends in a direction downwardly and rearwardly from the boot. 39. A device according to claim 32, wherein: the elastic return system being structured and arranged to apply an elastic return force extending in a direction from substantially a metatarsophalangeal articulation of the boot. 40. A device according to claim 32, wherein: the device is adapted to be used with a boot having a sole with a front attachment and a rear attachment; the retaining system is structured and arranged to be connected to said front attachment; the elastic return system is structured and arranged to be connected to said rear attachment. 41. A device according to claim 40, wherein: the front attachment is a first transversely extending pin; the rear attachment is a second transversely extending pin. 42. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device compnsing: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position; the retaining system comprising an open/close control mechanism, said control mechanism cooperating with a member for controlling the fastening/unfastening of the elastic return system on the boot; the open/close control mechanism of the retaining system comprising means for meshing with the fastening/unfastening control member of the elastic return system, said meshing means being active when the retaining system and the elastic return system are arranged on the sports article; an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position; the retaining system retaining the boot independently of the elastic return system; the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module. 43. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position; and an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position; the retaining system functioning at least partially independently of the elastic return system; the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module; the retaining system further comprising an open/close control mechanism, said control mechanism cooperating with a member for controlling the fastening/unfastening of the elastic return system on the boot; the open/close control mechanism of the retaining system comprising means for meshing with the fastening/unfastening control member of the elastic return system, said meshing means being active when the retaining system and the elastic return system are arranged on the sports article. 44. A device for binding a boot to a sports article, the device comprising: a retaining system for connecting the boot to the sports article for movement relative to the sports article between a low position and a high position; an elastic return system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, the elastic return system being part of a pre-assembled unitary module, the elastic return system comprising at least one elastic member connected to the sports article and a flexible linkage flexing during said movement of the boot during use of the device, said linkage connecting the elastic member directly or indirectly to the boot; the boot extending rearward from a front of the boot to a rear of the boot while the boot is retained by the retaining system; said elastic member being structured and arranged to apply a force to the boot, said force having at least a rearward component; the retaining system retaining the boot independently of the elastic return system; the retaining system comprising a movable jaw and a fixed jaw, said movable jaw being movable toward said fixed jaw for locking the boot to the sports article against movement other than said movement between the low position and the high position.