EP0596281B1 - Shoe for the practice of winter sports - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports shoe (boot), particularly for the practice of winter (sliding) sports, obtained from an outer sole (outsole) (11) capable of being fastened at least via a front part (11a) on a sliding member (30) and including an upper (10) equipped with a rear counter (stiffener) (12) on which is articulated a rigid collar (13, 13A, 13B) intended to surround the lower leg and which extends towards the top of the upper (10) from the articulation (14), beyond its upper end, the said shoe also including energised means (40) for longitudinal angular control of the sliding element (skate, ski, etc.) in the air, with respect to the sole (11) of the shoe during the phase of taking back this sliding element (30), which are arranged between a fixed point (A) of the upper (10) and a movable point (B) of the articulated collar (13, 13A, 13B) and which comprise at least one elastic member constituting a source of energy capable of being charged during a phase of pushing on the ski (30) and of being released during the take-back phase, characterised in that the elastic member (41, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101) constituting the source of energy is associated with disengagement means (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) so as to be activated only between a substantially median equilibrium position (0) of the shoe and an end-of-push position (O1). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a sports shoe intended for the practice of a gliding sport such as cross-country skiing, (in particular the practice of skating (or skating)), of the type consisting of an outer sole and of a low rod provided with a rear buttress on which is articulated a rigid collar intended to surround the lower leg, and which extends upwards from the articulation, beyond the upper end of it.

In the practice of cross-country skiing, when the skating skier finishes his propulsion on one of the skis, he transfers his weight to the other opposite ski, and brings the first ski back to the level of the second.

• la vitesse (donc le pas utilisé). En effet, plus la vitesse est faible plus la fréquence de patinage est élevée et donc moins le skieur a de temps pour ramener son ski. C'est pourquoi, plus la vitesse est faible moins les skis sont ramenés parallèles, et plus le skieur garde une divergence importante entre les deux skis.
• la pente rencontrée. En effet, le skieur doit ramener son ski le plus parallèlement possible par rapport à la pente afin de ne pas trop le soulever. L'inclinaison du ski durant le ramené dépend donc de la pente rencontrée (ce qui rend le ramené particulièrement exigeant et difficile dans les fortes pentes).

This brought back is different according to:

• the speed (therefore the step used). In fact, the lower the speed the higher the skating frequency and therefore the less time the skier has to bring back his ski. This is why, the lower the speed, the less the skis are brought back parallel, and the more the skier keeps a significant divergence between the two skis.
• the slope encountered. Indeed, the skier must bring his ski as parallel as possible to the slope so as not to lift it too much. The slope of the ski during the return therefore depends on the slope encountered (which makes the return particularly demanding and difficult on steep slopes).

These various observations have led to studying the problem of bringing back skiing in the practice of skating.

This study revealed in fact that during the release of the ski, the front end or tip thereof sticks in the snow, which causes the real problem, residing in the longitudinal angular control of the ski in quasi-static phase, it that is to say in the air. The same problem arises in other sliding sports such as ice skating, in line skate where the sportsman must avoid hitting the ground with the sliding element (skate ...) during the brought back phase.

The problem thus being posed, it was also noted that this resulted in a consistent consequence for the skier, having to increase the contraction of the anterior leg to raise the ski and avoid the attachment of the tip in the snow during the phase of brought back from skiing. This is all the more harmful for the skier since, on the contrary, it would be necessary to take advantage of this phase to relax the muscles of the leg concerned as much as possible, since this is a rest phase and not a motor phase.

The Applicant has already remedied these drawbacks on the basis of the problem posed, by proposing in its European patent application EP-A-0 541 642 (state of the art as defined in art. 54 (3) cBE). a sports shoe, in particular for the practice of gliding sport (skating) of the type comprising an outer sole capable of being fixed on a sliding element and a rod provided with a rear buttress on which is articulated a rigid collar intended to surround the lower leg and which extends up the upper from the articulation, beyond its upper end, said shoe further comprising energized means for longitudinal angular control of the sliding element in l air, relative to the sole of the shoe during the return phase of the sliding element, which are arranged between a fixed point of the upper and a mobile point of the articulated collar and which comprise at least one elastic member constituting a energy source able to charge during a pushing phase on the sliding element and to be released during the brought back phase.

Such means consist in fact of a return energy between the articulated collar and the rod advantageously offering effective assistance of the leg in this phase of the practice of skating.

This results in less fatigue for the skier who spares his muscles.

Also thanks to these means, the feeling of heaviness of the ski at the level of the tip is significantly reduced, and it provides better anteroposterior support as well as an easier return of the ski. The recovery is then carried out in better conditions because the fatigue is less.

However, tests have shown that if the energizing means provide certain assistance in the said reduced phase, on the other hand they create fatigue, which did not exist before, during the pushing phase, more particularly when bending towards the 'front of the leg relative to the foot, because indeed the collar and the rod are always in connection. In fact, in the aforementioned position, it is desirable that the foot is advantageously free rather than having to overcome an unnecessary energy at that time, precisely provided by means of permanent energization.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback while preserving the advantages previously acquired.

To this end, it relates to a sports shoe according to claim 1.

• Les figures 1, 2 et 3 sont des vues de côté d'une chaussure de ski de fond de type skating selon l'invention montée sur un ski, respectivement en position de repos, en position d'extension et en position intermédiaire dans le ramené du ski.
• Les figures 4 à 9 illustrent, en vue de côté, différents modes de réalisation de l'invention appliquée à une chaussure de ski de fond.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, illustrating, by way of nonlimiting example, how the invention can be carried out and in which:

• Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side views of a cross-country ski boot type skating according to the invention mounted on a ski, respectively in the rest position, in the extended position and in the intermediate position in the brought back ski.
• Figures 4 to 9 illustrate, in side view, different embodiments of the invention applied to a cross-country ski boot.

The shoe, shown by way of example in FIG. 1, is particularly suitable for skating or skating and has, externally, the appearance of a shoe originally made up of a low rod 10, c ' that is to say a rod whose rigid parts do not extend in height beyond the malleoli, an outer sole 11 and a closure system 20 for putting on or taking off the type known in self covering an internal lacing system.

Conventionally, a ski 30 is fixed to a front part 11a of the sole 11 by means of a fixing 16 shown diagrammatically.

The rod 10 is made of flexible material and is provided at the heel with a rear buttress 12 which can be produced in any way known per se.

This buttress 12 is preferably made of rigid synthetic material and extends over the entire rear part of the shoe all around the heel thereof.

This buttress 12 extends, in the region of the malleoli, to the top of the rod 10 for receiving an articulated collar 13, the latter being fixed, in a manner known per se, at the level of the malleoli.

The articulated collar 13 is constituted by a cuff made of rigid material and in particular of a synthetic material as known under the trade name Pébax.

This collar 13 extends up to the bottom of the calf and surrounds the entire lower leg. It is open at its front part to allow the positioning of the foot in the shoe and is also provided with clamping means (not shown) of a type known per se and constituted for example by hook-and-loop means.

This collar 13 is also provided at the rear with a notch 13a intended to facilitate the rearward rotation of this collar.

As will be readily appreciated, the large height of the collar 13 allows excellent lateral holding of the leg during skating, such a height also allowing greater distribution of the reaction forces over the leg and, consequently, , better comfort for the user.

Furthermore, the skating shoe according to the invention also includes energized means 40 for longitudinal angular control of the upper relative to the collar, that is to say of the ski 30, when it is in the air, relative to the sole 11 of the boot during the return phase of said ski 30, which makes it possible to remedy certain drawbacks encountered in the practice of skating and which have been set out above.

These means 40 are, in the case of FIGS. 1 to 4 arranged between a point A of the rod 10 and a point B of the articulated collar 13 and comprise an elastic member 41 constituting a source of energy, in this case a metal spring acting in compression between points A and B. In fact this spring is loaded during a pushing phase of the ski 30 (see FIG. 2) and is released during the brought back phase (see FIG. 3), to tension to recall said rod 10 towards the collar 13 in a pivoting movement upwards in the direction F, consequently causing the automatic lifting of the front end or tip of the ski 30, when the latter is not in a driving phase .

As shown particularly well in Figures 1 to 3, in a rest position (Figure 1) with the foot in the shoe, the spring 41 is not compressed and it has a length L. In this position, the vertical axis I of the shoe which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane P of the upper 10, merges with the axis J of the lower leg, hence the collar 13 who is in solidarity with it. This rest position corresponds in fact to a median equilibrium position O lying between on the one hand a position O ₁ of end of thrust or end of extension of the foot in which the axis J of the collar 13 is inclined at maximum rearward at angle α1 and on the other hand a position O ₂ of maximum bending of the foot forward, during pushing at an angle α2. In fact, the spring 41 will preferably be arranged so that at rest and in the absence of the foot in the shoe, the vertical axis I is slightly inclined in the direction of the position O ₂ , so that the positioning of the foot in the shoe causes a slight prestressing of the spring at rest, thus eliminating any play at the start of the pivoting movement.

(Longueur du ressort au repos), l (longueur du ressort comprimé au maximum).It is clear from FIG. 2 that when at the end of extension, the axis J forms an angle α1 with the axis I, the spring 41 is deformed by compression between the points A and B by a value $\text{x = Ll}$

(Length of spring at rest), l (maximum length of compressed spring).

Given that when the ski is brought back down (FIG. 3) it is in the air, it follows that it is no longer subjected to any stress, which allows the spring 41 to be released. Two forces FA and FB in opposite directions are then created respectively at the points A and B above to separate the collar from the rod at the rear.

The support at B being undeformable since linked to the leg, the force FA multiplied by the lever arm around the axis 14 will cause a couple C which will have the effect of making the ski go up according to F. In fact, the couple C is canceled when α = O and this thanks to declutching means 50 rendering said spring 41 inoperative between the equilibrium position O and the position O ₂ of maximum forward bending of the foot, during the pushing.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the declutching means 50 are constituted by an upper free end 41a of the spring 41 and by a stop member 42 also free disposed on a corresponding part of the collar 13 in positions relative such as to leave a minimum clearance "j", so that the cooperation of the parts 41a and 42 takes place only in a direction going from the middle position O to the position of end of extension O ₁ . On the other hand, the lower end 41b of the same spring 41 is integral, or at least in permanent support on a fixed part 43 of the rod 10.

In this case, the fixed part 43 is produced at the level of the buttress 12 of said rod 10 and the opposite stop member 42 is constituted by the bottom of a sheath 44 secured to the collar 13, in which the spring 41 is capable of sliding freely to form the declutching means 50, between the position O and the position O ₂ of the collar 13 relative to the rod 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the spring 41 is mounted along a rod 46, articulated at 47 on the fixed part 43 and carrying the stop 41b for the lower end of the spring. This rod 46 then serves as a guide.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 essentially differs from the previous one in that the elastic member consists of a blade 61 which is elastically deformable, working in buckling, between a position I of rest and a position II of work corresponding to position O ₁ above of the collar 13 with respect to the rod 10, the declutching means 60 being identical to the preceding 50.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 essentially differs from the previous ones in that the elastic member 71 is constituted by at least one elastically deformable bar, formed by two perpendicular branches, one of which horizontal 71a is integral with a corresponding housing 72 produced in a lateral part of the rod 10 and the other vertical 71b of which is free and capable of cooperating at its end 71c with a stop member 73, obtained on the side of the collar 13, during an inclination of the latter towards rear, beyond the middle position O.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 essentially differs from the previous ones in that the elastic member 81 is constituted by a deformable pin 82 fixed by its base 82c on each of the articulations 14 of the collar 13 relative to the rod 10, its upper branches 82a and lower 82b being respectively in connection with an upper movable stop 83 of the collar 13 and a lower fixed stop 84 of the rod 10, which pin 82 is capable of being compressed during an inclination of the collar 13 backwards at beyond the middle position O, the upper branch 82a being able to slide relative to the stop 83 to form the declutching means 80, in a direction of forward inclination of the collar 13 towards the position O2.

In this case, the pin 82 is formed by a double pin comprising upper branches 82a arranged on either side of the collar 13 to wrap it in its rear part 13a while the lower branches 82b are arranged on both sides. other side of the rod 10 to also wrap it in its rear part 12a at the level of the buttress 12.

The double pin can either be obtained for example in a single piece by molding of plastic material, or by conformation of a wire-like metallic element elastically deformable or other.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 essentially differs from the previous ones in that the elastic member 91 is constituted by at least one arm 92 coming from a lateral lower part of the collar 13A and is capable of coming into contact with a corresponding stop 93 produced on a rear part of the rod 10 at the level of the buttress 12, beyond the middle position O of the collar 13A in a rearward direction and to escape therefrom in a forward direction, to form the declutching means 90.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 essentially differs from the previous ones in that the elastic member 101 consists of at least one arm 102 coming from the buttress 12 of the rod 10 and is capable of coming into contact with a corresponding stop 103 produced on a lower part of the collar 13B, beyond the middle position O of the collar 13B in a rearward direction and to escape therefrom in a forward direction, to form the declutching means 100.

In the latter two cases, it is advantageous for the arms 92 or 102 to be doubled so as to be arranged on either side of the boot, the two parts thus formed being in connection to surround the rear of the upper and constitute thus a better support for the collar 13A or 13B on the stop 92 or on the arm 102.

Claims (12)

1. Sport boot, especially for performing a gliding sport, obtained from an outer sole (11) capable of being fastened at least through one forward part (11a) on a gliding member (30), and comprising a shank (10), provided by a heel cap (12) on which a rigid collar (13, 13A, 13B) is hinged which is adapted to surround the lower leg and which extends towards the top of the shank (10) starting from the hinge (14) beyond the upper end thereof, said boot further comprising energized means (40) for the angular longitudinal control of the gliding element (skate, ski...) in the air in respect to the sole (11) of the boot during the phase of advancement of this gliding element (30), which are arranged between a fixed point (A) of the shank (10) and a movable point (B) of the hinged collar (13, 13A, 13B), and which comprise at least on resilient member constituting an energy source capable of being tensed in the course of a pushing phase on the gliding element (30), and to relax in the course of the advancement phase, the resilient member (41, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101) constituting the energy source being connected to disengaging means (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100), such that it is activated only between a substantially median position of equilibrium (O) of the boot, in which the longitudinal axis (J) of the collar (13, 13A, 13B) is substantially perpendicular with the horizontal plane (P) of the shaft (10), and a position at the end of pushing (O₁) or at the end of the extension of the foot, in which the axis (J) of the collar (13, 13A, 13B) is maximally inclined towards the back, said means of disengagement (O) rendering said resilient member inoperative between said position of equilibrium which is essentially median and a position (O₂) of maximum forward flexing of the foot in the course of pushing.
2. Boot according to claim 1, wherein the disengagement means (50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) are constituted by a free part of the resilient member (41, 61, 71, 81, 91, 101) and by an also free abutment member (42, 73, 83, 93, 103) arranged on a corresponding part of the collar (13, 13A, 13B) or of the shank (10) in accordance with relative positions so as to permit them to cooperate only in a direction proceeding from the median position of equilibrium (O) to a position (O₁) at the end of the extension of the foot and vice versa, the other end of the resilient member being supported on a fixed part (43, 72, 84, 93, 103) of the shank (10) or of the collar (13, 13A, 13B).
3. Boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member (41, 61) is interposed between a fixed support part (43) embodied on a rear part of the shank (10) at the level of the heel cap (12) and an abutment member constituted by the bottom of a sheath (44) affixed to the collar (13), in which it is capable of sliding freely, to form the disengagement means (50).
4. Boot according to claim 3, wherein the resilient member (41) is a metal spring acting under compression.
5. Boot According to claim 3, wherein the resilient member is a resiliently deformable blade operating by buckling.
6. Boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member (71) is constituted by at least one resilient, deformable bar formed by two perpendicular arms, of which the one horizontal (71a) is affixed to a corresponding housing (72) embodied in a lateral part of the shank (10), and the other vertical (71b) is free and capable of cooperating, trough its end (71c), with an abutment member (73) obtained on the side of the collar (13) during a rearward inclination of the latter beyond the median position (O).
7. Boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member (81) is constituted by a deformable pin (82), fixed through its base (82c) on the hinge (14) of the collar (13) in respect to the shank (10), its upper arm (82a) and lower arm (82b) respectively being connected with an upper movable abutment (83) of the collar (13) and a lower stationary abutment (84) of the shank (10), which pin (82) is capable of being compressed during a rearward inclination of the collar (13) beyond the median position (O), the upper arm (82a) being capable of sliding in respect to the movable abutment (83), to form the disengagement means (80), in a direction of forward inclination of the collar (13) towards the position (O₂).
8. Boot according to claim 7, wherein the pin (82) is double and comprises upper arms (82a) arranged on both sides of the collar (13) to enclose it in its rear part (13a), while its lower arms (82b) are arranged on both sides of the shank (10) to also enclose it in its rear part (12a) at the level of the heel cap (12).
9. Boot according to claim 8, wherein the double pin (82) is made in a single-piece manner by molding plastic material.
10. Boot according to claim 8, wherein the double pin (82) is made by shaping a metallic filamentary element which can be resiliently deformed.
11. Boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member (91) is constituted by at least one arm (92) extending from a lower lateral part of the collar (13A), and is capable of coming into contact with a corresponding abutment (93) embodied on a rear part of the shank (10) at the level of the heel cap (12) beyond the median position (O) of the collar (13A) in a backward direction and to move therefrom in a forward direction to form the disengagement means (90).
12. Boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member (101) is constituted by at least one arm (102) extending from the heel cap (12) of the shank (10) and is capable of coming into contact with a corresponding abutment (103) embodied on a lower part of the collar (13B), beyond the median position (O) of the collar (13B) in a backward direction, and to move therefrom in a forward direction to form the disengagement means (100).

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