EP0073989B1

EP0073989B1 - Device for adjusting the fit in ski boots

Info

Publication number: EP0073989B1
Application number: EP82107633A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincenzo Bidoia
Original assignee: Nordica SpA
Current assignee: Nordica SpA
Priority date: 1981-08-31
Filing date: 1982-08-20
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: IT8122769V0; IT8122769U1; EP0073989A1; DE3268824D1; ATE17639T1

Abstract

The device comprises a band element (1) located inside the shell (2) of the boot at the upper front region of the foot and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shell, being fastened with one end to one side of the shell (2). The other end of the band element (1) is engaged with actuating means (10, 20, 30) carried by the other side of the shell (2) and accessible from the outside thereof.

Description

This invention relates to a device for adjusting the fit, in particular of a ski boot.
As is known, ski boots formed from a plastic material include a mostly rigid shell, wherein it is impossible to tailor the inside conformation to fit the varying skier's foot morphology. Thus, there may unavoidably remain voids within the shell, on account of which the skier's foot is liable to slip, which occurrence undoubtedly affects skiing adversely.
From FR-A-2 343 437 a device is known for adjusting the fit of a ski boot of the type defined in the pre-characterizing clause of claim 1. In this known device the adjustable means for urging the pressure element against the foot comprises component parts particularly in the band element, projecting transverse to the surface of the shell of the boot. Such an arrangement increases the encumbrance of the boot and influences negatively the streamlined aspect of the surface of the boot, apart from increasing the possibility for the snow to accumulate around such projecting parts.
The task of the invention is to solve the problem involved in the removal of the above drawbacks.
Within this task it is an object of the invention to provide a device as indicated, which can be operated in a quick and effective manner after wearing a ski boot.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device as indicated, which can allow a highly accurate adjustment while leaving the user free to select the magnitude of the locking action to be applied in accordance with his/her own contingent requirements.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be readily installed, comprises a reduced number of components, and has a reasonably low cost.
The above task and objects as well as yet other objects, such as will be apparent hereinafter, are achieved by the invention as defined in claim 1.
Further features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a device for adjusting the fit, in particular of a ski boot, according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying non-limitative drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows schematically this device as mounted on the inner shoe of a ski boot;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of this device, incorporating a Maltese cross type of actuator;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates this device as operated by means of a worm screw.

With reference to the cited figures, and in particular to Figures 1 to 3, the device for adjusting the fit, in particular for ski boots, according to the invention, comprises, located inside the shell of a boot, a band element 1 which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shell and is placed within the shell above the boot inner shoe, generally indicated at 2.
The cited band element carries a pressure element 3, which is located at the toe end and neck region of the skier's foot.
The band element 1 is fastened, with one end, to one side of the shell, whilst its other end is engaged with actuating means carried on said shell, on the opposite side thereof, and made accessible from the shell outside.
The cited actuating means advantageously comprise a Maltese cross element 10 rotatably supported on the shell and having, externally to the shell, an operating knob 11. The band element 1 is provided, at its end in engagement with the Maltese cross element with a small plate 12 with shaped seats 13, wherein actuating pegs 15 and check pegs 16 provided on the Maltese cross element will engage.
To ensure a positive engagement of the Maltese cross element and plate 12, the plate is in practice made slidable in a seat defined on the interior of the boot by a small wall 18.
With reference to Figure 4, the actuating means comprises here a worm screw 20 having a turning knob 21 which protrudes out of the shell, which knob engages, by a threaded portion thereof, a plurality of canted slots 22 provided at the end of the band element 1. Also in this instance, in order to maintain a stable connection between the worm screw 20 and band element 1, said band element is made slidable through a sleeve element 25 at the canted slots 22.
In the embodiments described hereinabove, in order to adjust the fit as desired, it will be sufficient for the user to turn the knobs, 11 or 21, in one or the opposite directions to thus change the working length of the band element 1 and, accordingly, the position of the pressure element 3 which effects the adjustment of the fit.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention achieves its objects, and in particular that the expedients proposed enable the user to adjust at will the boot fit, by simply rotating the knobs arranged on the shell exterior, while retaining the faculty of performing an extremely fine and accurate adjustment.
The materials used; if compatible with the specific application intended, as well as the dimensions and contingent shapes, may be any selected ones depending on individual requirements.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the fit, in particular of a ski boot, comprising a pressure element (3) arranged inside the shell of the boot at the upper front region of the foot of the wearer, and adjustable means acting on said pressure element (3) to adjustably urge said pressure element (3) in the direction of the foot, wherein said adjustable means comprise a band element (1) having an end section fastened to one side of the boot shell and an opposite end section engaging actuating means (10; 20, 21) operable from outside the shell, characterized in that said opposite end section is rectilinear and extends substantially parallel to the shell side transverse to the sole of the boot and is guided by a guide element (18, 25) secured to the shell, and in that said actuating means (10; 20, 21 ) are arranged to cause substantially lengthwise displacement of said opposite end section.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuating means comprise a Maltese cross element (10) rotatably supported on one side of said shell and having a knob (11) protruding out of said shell, said Maltese cross element (10) engaging with a plate (12) provided with shaped seats (13) and connected to the end of said band element (1).

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said plate (12) is slidably accommodated in a guide defined by a wall (18) provided on the interior of said shell.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuating means comprise a worm screw element (20) supported rotatably on said shell and having an adjustment knob (21) protruding out of said shell, the threaded portion of said worm screw element (20) engaging with canted slots (22) formed at the end of said band element (1), said band element being, at the ends thereof having said canted slots (22), slidably accommodated within a sleeve element (25).