EP0425392A1 - Ski boot made of plastic material - Google Patents

Abstract

Ski boot with a monobloc shell (1) made of plastic material, which has a plurality of slots intended to create multidirectional deformable zones, namely respectively longitudinal (10-13), axial (18) and transverse (14, 15) slots, one (17) of which connects the two longitudinal slots (10, 11) in the region of the cuneiform, so as to define two deformable clamping zones (20, 21), on which the traction member acts.

Description

The invention relates to a new plastic ski boot.

As we know, a modern plastic ski boot essentially comprises:
- a shell intended to receive the liner into which the foot is introduced;
- a collar, formed in one or two parts, articulated on the shell;
- means for closing the collar on the lower leg (buckles, racks, etc.);
- possibly means for clamping the foot in the shell.

In so-called "front opening" shoes, it has been suggested to provide a longitudinal slot on the top of the shell forming flaps which overlap and allow the foot to be clamped in the shell under the clamping action by appropriate means, such as bands, straps ... This type of shoe is quite difficult to put on. In addition, these shoes may have leaks resulting from the longitudinal slit, and require several loops for tightening the foot in the shell and the collar on the lower leg.

In recent years, so-called "rear opening" shoes have been developing more and more. In these shoes, the shell must be non-deformable, in particular at the level of the toes and the instep. To ensure the holding of the foot in the shell, we have proposed a variety of systems using flaps, straps, tiles (see for example FR-A-2 276 851: American correspondent 3 883 964; FR-A- 2,344,439: US correspondent 4,205,467 for tightening the instep; see also EP-A-0158 574 of the Applicant: correspondent USA-4 615 127 for tightening the heel). Despite their success, these shoes do not provide ideal foot support in the hull and consequently, ensure precise driving of the ski, as proof they are practically not used by high competition runners level.

In document EP-A-0272 643, a ski boot has been proposed, the shell of which has different slits opening out at the top, essentially arranged in the longitudinal direction, in the axis of the tibia, or parallel to it, and cooperating with a traction member such as cables to ensure the clamping of the foot. In an advantageous embodiment, the shell has a plurality of transverse slots which, on the one hand, meet at the level of the instep and on the other hand, tend to join at the level of the forefoot, to define a single clamping tile, which ensures only a good fit of the instep and lower leg. However, this solution does not ensure a specific forefoot hold in the hull, except by using a means different from the type of those mentioned above.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It relates to a ski boot whose shell, with a perimeter and a locally variable volume, makes it possible to ensure good hold of the foot in all its parts, namely the lower leg, the heel, the instep and the forefoot, to provide precise control of the ski, thanks to clamping means, while allowing easy entry of the foot into the shell.

This plastic ski boot, which comprises a shell, intended to receive a liner which in turn receives a foot from the skier, and in which the top of the shell has, on either side of the foot, two slots arranged longitudinally and laterally on either side of the median plane of the shell which extend from the metatarsophalangeal zone to the front zone of the malleoli, these slots, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane of the shell, cooperating with traction elements acting on the top of the hull to ensure the clamping of the foot in the hull, is characterized :
- On the one hand, in that the two longitudinal slits rise vertically on the front face of the lower leg, to define two openings which do not open onto the edge of the top of the hull;
- and secondly, in that these two longitudinal slots are connected together by a transverse slot arranged on the top of the shell at the level of the wedge,
these different longitudinal and transverse slots thus defining two deformable tightening zones on which the traction member acts, to ensure the tightening of the foot, respectively at the instep and at the forefoot.

In other words, the invention consists in adding a transverse slit which releases the cuneiform, which is known to be a painful point through which the pedous artery passes, to thus define two distinct areas of tightening , namely instep and forefoot, which was not achieved until then.

The invention differs from the solution described in document EP-A-0272 643 by a specific arrangement of the slots, namely the presence of a transverse slot at the level of the wedge, and by the fact that the longitudinal slots do not open out. on the top of the hull. This difference in architecture on the one hand, as already said, clears the painful area of the wedge and, on the other hand and above all, makes it possible to provide two distinct areas of tightening, respectively instep and forefoot, on which we can act selectively.

Advantageously, in practice:
- the two symmetrical longitudinal slots also have two orthogonal slots arranged at the front, facing each other, at the toe joint on the metatarsals, to define a first deformable zone in shape forefoot clamping tile;
- In a variant, the two longitudinal slots also have notches also orthogonal, directed towards the sole;
- The top of the front face of the shell has an axial slot arranged along the median longitudinal plane of the shell, which extends from the bottom of the leg where it opens to the top of the instep, without however lead into the transverse slot arranged at the level of the wedge;
the different slots, respectively longitudinal, transverse, axial or orthogonal, are filled with a flexible, waterproof material, such as for example an elastic fabric, a bellows, or even a compressible, elastic polymer, injected with the rest of the shell and therefore compatible with she ;
- the sum of the widths of the lateral slits in a section considered corresponds, for the size concerned, to the range of podological variations;
- the shoe also has two tightening means which act respectively:
. the first at the level of the metatarsals on the deformable zone of tightening of the forefoot in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foot;
. the second at the instep in a diagonal plane, going from the top of the instep to the base of the heel;
- The clamping means are constituted by cables, straps or the like.

• La figure 1 est une représentation schématique en perspective sommaire d'une coque de chaussure de ski conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une représentation en plan d'une coque perfectionnée conforme à l'invention.
• Les figures 3 à 6 représentent des sections de cette chaussure caractéristique en fonctionnement, respective­ment au niveau de l'avant-pied (figures 3 et 4) et du cou de pied (figures 5 et 6).
• La figure 7 est une représentation schématique en pesrpective sommaire d'une variante d'exécution de l'in­vention.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments, in support of the appended figures.

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation in summary perspective of a ski boot shell according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a plan view of an improved shell according to the invention.
• Figures 3 to 6 show sections of this characteristic shoe in operation, respectively at the forefoot (Figures 3 and 4) and the instep (Figures 5 and 6).
• Figure 7 is a schematic representation in summary perspective of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

In order not to unnecessarily overload the drawings, and thereby facilitate understanding of the invention, the entire boot has not been shown, but only the shell characteristic of the invention. It goes without saying that the shoe has other parts, conventional and usual, such as collar or cuffs, tightening loops, liner, sealing sleeve, etc. .

The characteristic shell designated by the general reference (1) is in one piece and is made of semi-rigid plastic material commonly used for this application, such as polyurethane, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 12. This shell essentially comprises a top (2) and a sole (3). It also has an unreferenced toe and heel. The shell (1) is hollow and is intended to receive the boot, not shown, which, in known manner, in turn, receives a foot from the skier.

The portion of the top of the shell (2) disposed above the metatarsus, the instep and the bottom of the leg, has a plurality of slots obtained by molding, arranged in the three directions respectively longitudinal, transverse and axial characteristic of the invention.

The hull (2) has on each of its two lateral faces two symmetrical longitudinal slots respectively (10) and (11) arranged on either side of the median plane of the hull (1), and which extend from the zone metatarsophalangeal to the front area of the malleoli, then go up substantially vertically (12,13) along the bottom of the tibia on the front side of the lower leg to define two lumens (12,13) which do not open not on the edge (9) of the top of the shell (2). These two longitudinal characteristic lights (10,11) comprise on the front, arranged opposite and practically at the level of the articulation of the toes on the metatarsals, two transverse slots (14,15) providing between them a connection zone (16) full. According to a first characteristic of the invention, these two lateral slits (10, 11) are interconnected by a transverse slit (17) disposed at the level of the wedge, so as to clearly release this sensitive point through which the pedestrian artery passes. The transverse slots (14,15,17) in combination with the longitudinal slots (10,11) thus provide a first tightening zone for the forefoot, designated by the reference (20) in the form of a tile.

The rear part of the top of the shell (2) has on the top an axial slot (18) arranged along the median plane of the shell (1), which extends from the bottom of the leg where it is open (19) to the top of the instep without however opening into the slot (17). The axial slots (12,13,18), in combination with the transverse slot (17) and the longitudinal slots (10,11), thus define a second clamping zone, designated by the general reference (21) also in the form of hollowed out tile, for tightening and holding the instep.

The shoe also includes one or two traction members for tightening the zones (20) and (21), designated by the general references (30) and (31), produced in a known manner, such as for example by straps, by Cables. These means (30,31) are based on:
. the first (30) at the level of the metatarsals on the tightening zone (20) of the forefoot, and is arranged in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis of the foot (40) so as, as seen on the Figure 4, to properly concentrate towards the top of the foot the clamping forces which act on the top (2) of the shell;
. the second (31) exerts its action on the second tightening zone (21) of the instep in a diagonal plane going from the top of the instep to the base of the heel.

We can thus selectively tighten the forefoot (20) and / or the instep (21). In practice, it is advantageous to use a single cable (30, 31) which, thanks to an appropriate path, makes it possible to simultaneously ensure the tightening and the holding of the foot both in (20) and (21).

To ensure the positioning and the maintenance of the cable on the clamping zones (20,21), the latter comprise guides or shims respectively (32,33) coming from molding.

Figures 3 and 4 briefly show in section the tightening action of the cable (30) on the foot, designated by the general reference (40), at the metatarsals, while Figures 5 and 6 show the tightening action cable (31) on the foot (41) at the instep / heel diagonal.

It is understood that by actuating the tightening cables (30,31), areas made deformable due to the characteristic slits are moved which, moving closer to each other, adapt to the volume defined by the foot in the liner. The clamping forces are thus multidirectional and radiant only on the top (2) of the hull (see Figures 4 and 6), without generating too much lateral tightening of the bottom of the hull which would painfully compress the base of the skier's foot .

In an improved embodiment (see Figures 1 and 2), the transverse slot (17) is extended on both sides at (25) beyond the longitudinal slots (10,11) directed in the direction of the sole (3), and arranged at the height of the arch of the foot, to give elasticity to the lateral parts of the shell.

In another advantageous embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 7, the transverse non-opening slots (14,15) are also extended on the other side of the longitudinal slots (10,11) by clearances (27), which provide better multidirectional deformation to the assembly. Similarly, the connecting portion of the longitudinal slots (10,11) with the slots (12,13) has transverse clearance slots (26), directed towards the sole (3).

In a variant shown in Figure 2, the rear of the shell includes a flexible rigid portion (35), intended to ensure the tightening of the heel in accordance with the teachings of European patent 0158 574 of the Applicant (corresponding USA-4 615 127) cited in the preamble.

The tightness of the assembly is ensured by a mobile or fixed cover cap (45) or any other known means.

In a variant not shown, the characteristic longitudinal (10,11,12,13), transverse (15,17) and axial (18) slots can either be closed by deformable materials (bellows, elastic fabrics), or filled with a bi-injected elastic compressible material.

The shoes according to the invention have many advantages compared to those produced hitherto and mentioned in the preamble. We can cite:
- the possibility of achieving with a single means (cable) a uniform tightening at all points of the foot: lower leg, heel, instep and forefoot, which does not allow to obtain the solution described in document EP-A-0272 643 cited in the preamble;
- the possibility of carrying out a differentiated tightening between the front of the foot and the neck of the foot;
- The possibility of carrying out a concentric tightening, which then allows the foot to remain in the axis of the boot, therefore of the ski, which then ensures a very good quality of the guidance and of the handling of the ski and allows the skier to '' have better sensitivity;
- a greatly reduced clamping force, which is appreciable for adolescents, women or when used in low temperatures;
- the absence of interference between the tightening of the forefoot with that of the instep and vice-versa, in other words the possibility of performing selective differentiated tightening not inter-reacting between the forefoot, the neck foot, and if necessary the heel;
- finally, the absence of parasitic lateral tightening of the bottom of the shell.

Claims (8)

1 / Plastic ski boot, comprising a shell (1), intended to receive a bootie which in turn receives a foot from the skier, and in which the top (2) of the shell is present on either side of the foot, two slits (10,11) arranged longitudinally and laterally on either side of the median plane of the shell (1), which extend from the metatarsophalangeal zone to the front region of the malleoli, these slots (10,11), symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane of the shell (1), cooperating with traction members acting on the top (2) of the shell to ensure the clamping of the foot in this shell (1),
characterized :
- in that the two longitudinal slots (10,11) rise vertically on the front face of the bottom of the leg, to thus define two openings (12,13) which do not open onto the edge (9) of the top of the hull (2);
- In that these two longitudinal slots (10,11) are interconnected by a single transverse slot (17) disposed above the shell (2), at the level of the wedge;
these various longitudinal (10, 13) and transverse (17) slots thus defining two deformable clamping zones (20, 21) on which the traction member (30, 31) acts, to ensure the clamping of the foot, respectively at the level the forefoot (20) and the instep (21). 2 / ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the two symmetrical longitudinal slots (10,11) also have two orthogonal slots (14,15) arranged at the front, facing one another, at the articulation of the toes on the metatarsals, to define the first deformable zone (20) for tightening the forefoot in the form of a tile. 3 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the symmetrical longitudinal slots (10,11) also have notches (25,26,27) orthogonal, directed towards the sole (3). 4 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the top of the front face (2) of the shell (1) has an axial slot (18) arranged along the median longitudinal plane, which s 'extends from the bottom of the leg where it opens (19), to the top of the instep, without however opening into the transverse slot (17). 5 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the various slots respectively longitudinal (10-13), transverse (14,15-17) and axial (18) are filled with a flexible material, waterproof. 6 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sum of the widths of the longitudinal slits (10-13), in a section considered, corresponds, for the size concerned, to the range of podological variations . 7 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has two traction members (30,31) which act respectively:
- The first (30), at the metatarsals, on the deformable zone (20) for clamping the forefoot in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the foot;
- The second (31), at the instep, in a diagonal plane from the top of the instep to the base of the heel. 8 / Ski boot according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the traction and tightening members are constituted by cables (30,31).

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