EP0736264A1 - Sportshoe with adjustable shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot has a connecting strap (15) with a rigidity at least equal to that of the wall of the ankle piece (2). The strap is fixed rigidly at either side of the opening in the boot and in the upper part of the latter to prevent reciprocation of the sides and to assure a continuity of the upper to the ankle piece. Adjustable fixings (18,19) are placed between the strap and the ankle piece to vary the spacing of the walls of the opening and to adjust the position of the strap relative to the ankle piece transversely relative to the longitudinal axis (9) of the latter. the lower part of the opening is at the lower part of the ankle piece at the zone between the base of the leg and the ankle for supporting the boot.

Description

The present invention relates to a sports shoe with a rising upper comprising tightening devices for holding it on the wearer's lower leg and relates to a device for adjusting a portion of its circumference to the configuration of the bottom part. of leg located opposite, independently of the clamping devices.

Adjustment devices of this type known in ski boots, for example, are generally located on the side of the upper which is opposite the tightening devices. Their function is to improve the adaptation of the upper part of the rod to the morphology of the skier's leg, and possibly to adjust the angle of advance. The most significant variations in the morphology of the leg being located at the level of the muscular masses, in particular the calves, it is therefore at the posterior part of the rod that the adjustment devices are most often implemented. For example, the "SAPPORO" shoe model marketed by HESCHUNG in 1973-74, the "VALLUGA" and "TOURlNG" models marketed by KOFLACH in 1980-81, as well as the "SUPER COMP" model marketed by KASTINGER in 1981-82, show adjustment devices thus implemented. Also, the patents FR 2 357 197, DE 21 05 826 and FR 1 490 579 describe similar adjustment devices placed at the rear part of the upper of the shoes.

These devices have a vertical notch open upwards and produced in the rear part of the rod. A tensioner blocking device acting on a transverse tongue or cable retains the edges of the notch at a given distance depending on the length of the tongue or cable made active. Thus, when it comes to adapting to a large calf or reducing the advancing angle, the active length of the tongue or cable of the locking device is increased. The edges of the notch can then move apart to give passage to the calf or allow a certain straightening of the leg, that is to say a reduction in the angle of advance. In the latter case, it is obvious that the rod tightening devices are then tightened in order to always keep the same perimeter of wrapping of the rod on the lower leg of the skier. Conversely, to adjust the rod to a small calf or to increase the advancing angle, the active length of the tongue or cable is reduced to bring the edges of the notch which come into contact with the calf or repel it last towards the front, which accentuates the angle of advance. In the latter case, the clamping devices of the rod are loosened in order to always keep the same perimeter of wrapping of the rod on the lower leg. These adjustment devices are relatively easy to maneuver, but make it necessary to provide the edges of the notch which are elastically deformable and obtained from the original in a maximum open position, since the cable locking devices only operate in the direction of their rapprochement. It follows from these provisions that the edges of the notch easily deform one or the other as soon as the support of the lower leg of the skier is offset with respect to the slot, and this all the more so as the tongues or the cables accompany these deformations due to their flexibility.

Still by way of example, mention may also be made of patent application EP 371,915 and patent EP 302,414 which illustrate adjustment devices of the same type as above, but which, in in this case, have flaps hinged to the lower part of the vertical notch which they close, either by covering it or by being placed under it. In these adjustment devices, it is the flaps which act on the edges of the notch and which determine the modification of the circumference of wrapping of the rod on the lower leg by means of adjustable connecting elements located on the wings. said components. Unlike the adjustment devices mentioned above, these devices block the edges of the notch both in the direction of their approach and their distance, and therefore provide firm support for the lower leg of the wearer even if the direction of the efforts is offset from the notch. On the other hand, because they use shutters essentially articulated at the lower part of the notch, the surface or support area that the shutters offer for the lower leg varies according to their inclination. In fact, when the shutter is tilted backwards to increase the perimeter of wrapping of the rod, the bearing surface offered is substantially equal to that, total, of said shutter, which allows the pressures to be dispersed over a large area. On the other hand, the more the flap is tilted forward to reduce the perimeter of wrapping of the rod, the more the support surface offered shrinks towards the upper edge of the flap. In this case, the efforts of the lower leg are distributed only over a small area, which generates painful overpressures for the wearer in this area of contact with the flap.

There are also known adjustment devices which comprise a clamping flange of a vertical notch made at the front and / or at the rear of the upper of a ski boot. In the example described in patent FR 2 345 960, the strap completely surrounds the upper of the shoe and is fixed, in its middle part, at two points located on either side of the notch, while its ends tables are fitted with a clamping device. Such a flange makes it possible to block the two edges of the notch at a desired spacing, and therefore to adjust the circumference of the wrapping of the rod at this location, but obliges to provide for the tightening of the rod on the lower leg at same level since it is the ends of the flange which carry the clamping device. This arrangement is in fact poorly suited to skiing techniques because good front-rear balancing of skiers necessarily requires a relatively firm rear support area and placed significantly higher than that used for front support. Indeed, the articular physiology of the skier's leg and his musculature cannot prevent the body from falling backwards while forwards it is the opposite, the muscular output being moreover optimum if the lower leg can bend by a certain amplitude while resting on the front part of the upper of the shoe.

Furthermore, the production of a complete strap which surrounds the lower leg to fulfill both a function of adjusting the notch and a tightening function proves difficult to define technically. Indeed, the adjustment of the notch requires a blocking of its edges, therefore a great rigidity of the middle part of the flange, while the tightening requires a great flexibility of the free ends of said flange.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the adjustment devices described above and proposes an adjustment device which, after adjustment in the chosen position, is capable of rigidly blocking and in all directions the portion of the periphery of the rod d '' a shoe where it is located, ensuring a uniform wrap over almost the entire height of the upper and continuity of the wall thereof, thus avoiding overpressures in the zone adjusted in contact with the lower leg. Also, the object of the invention is to preserve the tightness of the rod at the location of the adjustment device.

The object of the invention is achieved, on the one hand, by producing in the upper of the shoe, on the portion of its periphery where it is desired to adjust and adapt its perimeter of wrapping, a notch that is substantially vertical and open. upwards, the lower part of which is located towards the base of the upper, in the transition zone between the lower leg and the ankle of the shoe wearer, and on the other hand, by providing the adjustment device with a relatively rigid flange which is rigidly blocked in all directions, using holding means on either side of the notch, adjustable and removable fixing means intervening between the flange and the rod being provided for varying the position of the flange relative to the rod, in a direction transverse to the median longitudinal axis of the latter, bringing the edges of the notch more or less.

By these provisions, the flange ensures the continuity of the upper edge of the rod in the same way as a material bridge which would be obtained in one piece with the wall of the rod, and the position of the lower part of the notch. allows to adjust the wall of the upper adjacent to the edges of the notch over almost the entire height of the part of the lower leg of the wearer of the shoe introduced into the upper of the latter. This characteristic guarantees a uniform wrapping also in continuity of the wall of the rod and avoids localized overpressures in the zone adjusted to the perimeter and / or the morphology of the lower leg.

In order to preserve the tightness of the rod, a sealing element completely and permanently closes the notch. This sealing element is constituted by the flange itself, which is then provided to cover the notch either from the inside or from the outside, or is constituted by a part adapting to the spacing of the edges. notch, this part being attached to the rod or obtained from a part with the wall thereof.

According to the invention, the sports shoe with a rising upper closes with the aid of tightening devices for its retention on the lower leg of the wearer and comprises a device for adjusting a portion of its periphery intended to modify its wrapping perimeter independently of the clamping devices, the adjustment device having, on the one hand, a substantially vertical notch and opening upwards made in the wall of the rod, and on the other hand, a connecting element connecting transversely the edges of said notch. Such a boot can be a boot for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, inline or classic roller skating, ice skating, mountaineering, etc.

The shoe is characterized by the fact that the connecting element is a flange, of rigidity at least equivalent to that of the wall of the upper, which is fixed rigidly and only on either side of the notch and in the upper zone of the latter for mutually locking its edges, adjustable fixing means intervening between the flange and the rod being provided to vary the position of said flange relative to the rod transversely to the median longitudinal axis of the latter, and by the fact that the lower part of the notch is situated towards the base of the upper, in the zone corresponding to that of transition between the lower leg and the ankle of the wearer of the shoe.

• en figure 1, une chaussure de ski, vue en perspective, dont la tige est munie d'un dispositif d'ajustement selon une première forme de réalisation,
• en figure 2, la chaussure de la figure 1, vue de dessus, et montrant le principe de l'ajustement de la tige,
• en figures 3, 3a, 4 et 4a, la chaussure de la figure 1 avec son dispositif d'ajustement dans ses positions de réglages extrêmes, les figures 3 et 3a montrant un ajustement de l'arrière de la tige pour une augmentation du périmètre d'enveloppement, et les figures 4 et 4a un ajustement de l'arrière de la tige pour une diminution du périmètre, indépendamment des dispositifs de serrage,
• en figures 5 et 6, différentes réalisations des moyens de fixation et de réglage d'une bride équivalente à celle du dispositif d'ajustement de la figure 1,
• en figures 7 et 8, d'autres formes de réalisation d'une bride d'un dispositif d'ajustement,
• en figures 9, une chaussure de ski, vue de côté et de dessus, munie d'un dispositif d'ajustement selon une deuxième forme de réalisation.

By way of example, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing:

• in FIG. 1, a ski boot, perspective view, the upper of which is provided with an adjustment device according to a first embodiment,
• in FIG. 2, the shoe of FIG. 1, seen from above, and showing the principle of the adjustment of the upper,
• in Figures 3, 3a, 4 and 4a, the shoe of Figure 1 with its adjustment device in its extreme adjustment positions, Figures 3 and 3a showing an adjustment of the rear of the upper for an increase in the perimeter d 'wrap, and Figures 4 and 4a an adjustment of the rear of the rod for a reduction in the perimeter, regardless of the clamping devices,
• in FIGS. 5 and 6, different embodiments of the means for fixing and adjusting a flange equivalent to that of the adjustment device in FIG. 1,
• in FIGS. 7 and 8, other embodiments of a flange of an adjustment device,
• in Figures 9, a ski boot, side view and from above, provided with an adjustment device according to a second embodiment.

The shoe shown in Figures 1 to 4a has a lower part 1 or shell base, intended to accommodate the wearer's foot and a rod 2, rising, attached and connected to the shell base 1 by a pivoting link 3 in the area corresponding to that of the ankle joint, the rod overlapping by its lower edge 11 that upper 11 'of the shell base. A stop 6 located on the shell base 1 in the heel area prevents the rod 2 from tilting backwards beyond a determined angular position relative to said shell base 1, and thus determines what the the angle of advance is commonly called, that is to say the angle indicated by the reference 8, formed between the median longitudinal axis 9 of the upper 2 and the plane of the sole 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4. By this arrangement of a rear stop and the fact that the rod 2 closes on the lower leg 10 of the wearer, the lower leg 10 is also retained towards the rear in an angular position substantially corresponding to that of the rod 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The closure of the rod 2 is effected by means of clamping devices 4 which fasten the opening-closing flaps 5 on the front part.

An adjustment device 12 for a portion of the periphery of the rod 2 is disposed thereon, near its upper edge 13, in order to allow a modification of the wrapping perimeter without acting on the clamping devices 4. The adjustment device 12 has a notch 14 substantially vertical and open upwards made in the wall of the rod 2, and a connecting element 15 formed by a flange which is fixed on either side of the notch 14 in the upper zone 16 thereof, near the upper edge 13 of the rod 2.

According to a characteristic of the notch 14, its lower part 17 is located towards the base of the rod 2 in the transition zone between the lower leg and the ankle, that is to say in this example, near the lower edge 11.

Removable fixing means 18, such as screws, fix the flange 15 on the rod 2 according to various possible positions determined by several mounting locations 19, such as several holes made in said rod 2. It is thus possible to vary the position of the flange 15 relative to the rod 2, in a direction 20 transverse to the median longitudinal axis 9 of the latter, thereby causing the decrease or the widening of the notch 14 according to whether the flange 15 is in the position of extreme adjustment towards the front, FIGS. 4 and 4a, or towards the rear, FIGS. 3 and 3a. The notch 14 extending from the upper edge 13 to near the lower edge 11 of the rod 2, the wall of the latter adjusts over almost the entire height adjacent to the edges which delimit said notch 14, that is that is to say over the entire height of the part of the lower leg 10 inserted and clamped in the rod 2.

In order to avoid the risks of deformation of the wall of the rod 2 on either side of the notch 14 when the supports or the forces transmitted by the lower leg 9 are offset, the flange 15 is rigidly fixed in position on the rod 2 by holding means 21 with which the fixing means 18 cooperate for all the mounting locations 19. These holding means 21 are for example longitudinal lateral projections between which the ends 15 'of the flange 15 are guided . The projections 21 thus maintain the flange 15 in the vertical direction, while the fixing means 18 block it in the horizontal direction. The flange 15 is therefore blocked in all directions. In order to ensure a continuity of wrapping of the rod 2 in the same way as a bridge of material which would be obtained in one piece with the wall of said rod 2, the flange 15 is made of a material or with shapes such that its rigidity is at least equivalent to that of said wall of rod 2.

Figures 3, 3a show, by way of example, the implementation of the adjustment device 12 for adapting the wrapping of the rod 2 to the morphology of a lower leg 10 having a large calf. In this example of adaptation, the rod 2 is assumed to have a forward angle 8 corresponding to that desired by the wearer, and therefore, the adjustment is carried out not by tightening the devices 4, but by fixing the flange in a retracted position 22 using the appropriate mounting locations 19. As illustrated, the mounting locations 19 have been used which correspond to the adjustment position providing the greatest increase in wrapping of the rear portion of the rod 2.

Conversely, FIGS. 4 and 4a, when it is a lower leg 10 having a small calf, the flange 15 is fixed in an advanced position 23 in order to reduce the wrapping of the rear portion of the rod 2. As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 3, 3a, 4 and 4a, in order to pass from the retracted position 22 to the advanced position 23, the clamping devices 4 remain in their initial position which guarantees that the front of the bottom is maintained leg 10 according to a constant advancing angle 8 despite the difference in morphology between the two lower legs 10.

It is obvious that the adjustment consisting in moving back the flange 15 according to FIGS. 3 and 3a can also provide a modification of the advancing angle if it is carried out for a lower leg 10 having a small calf like that of FIGS. 4 and 4a. In this case, the lower leg takes a straightened position and the tightening devices 4 are then tightened and / or adjusted so as to compensate for the increase in the wrapping of the rear portion of the rod 2. The reverse, c that is to say when the flange 15 is advanced when it is a lower leg 10 with a large calf, the lower leg is forced to bend further forward and the clamping devices 4 are loosened to compensate for the reduction in the wrapping of the rear portion of the rod 2.

In order to guarantee the tightness of the adjustment device 12 which has just been described, a sealing bellows 24 is disposed on the rod 2 and completely covers the notch 14. The latter being caused to undergo variations in spacing according to the adjustments made for the adjustment at the lower leg 10 of the wearer, this bellows is provided at least deformable, see elastic, in order to follow these variations. Advantageously, the bellows 24 is obtained by molding a part with the wall of the rod 2 and, due to the relative rigidity of the latter, is produced in a small thickness and in a pleated form.

Figure 5 shows a flange 15 made with several mounting locations 19 for its attachment to the rod 2 also provided with several mounting locations 19. This arrangement allows a multitude of adjustment positions and therefore greater accuracy of adjustment.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the means 21 for holding the flange 15. In this embodiment, these are bosses 21 obtained on the rod 2 intended to cooperate with mounting locations 19 made up of holes of corresponding shape, the fastening means 18 ensuring assembly after reciprocal interlocking of hole-projections. It goes without saying that the number of bosses 21 and the number of mounting locations 19 is not limited.

In the embodiment of the adjustment device 12 shown in FIG. 7, the flange 15 extends over the notch 14 which it completely covers up to the lower part 17 thereof, and this by the inside of the rod 2. The flange 15 then takes the form of an elongated curved shape which, closely matching the profile of the part of the rod opposite, in fact constitutes the equivalent of the holding means 21.

According to a variant, the flange 15 of the type of that of FIG. 7 can comprise, FIG. 8, a flap 25 which overlaps both a portion of the upper edge 13 of the rod 2 and the entire upper part of the notch 14. The flap 25 then also constitutes the equivalent of the holding means 21. Advantageously, the flap 25 can be locked against the rod 2 by means of the fixing means 18 of the flange 15.

In the embodiments of the flange 15 of FIGS. 7 and 8, this extends inside the upper 2 of the shoe but can also be arranged outside of the latter, thereby constituting, a sealing means since it then covers the notch 14.

FIG. 9 shows an adjustment device 12 produced in another form. In it, the notch 14 is in fact delimited by the front edges 44 'of two vertical slots 44 open upwards. The two slots 44 delimit between them a flange holder tongue 45 which is produced with a loop constituting the holding means 21 of the flange 15 which, in cooperation with the fixing means 18, ensures the locking thereof in all directions .

It goes without saying that in such an embodiment each slot can be provided with a sealing element such as a bellows 24.

In the examples described above with reference to Figures 1 to 9, the adjustable fastening means 18, 19, are arranged to be accessible from the outside of the rod 2, but can also be arranged to be accessible from the inside. rod 2.

Claims (11)

Sports shoe with rising stem (2) which closes with tightening devices (4) to hold it on the wearer's lower leg and which includes an adjustment device (12) of a portion of its periphery intended to modify the perimeter of wrapping of the rod (2) independently of the clamping devices (4), the adjustment device (12) having a notch (14) substantially vertical and open upwards made in the wall of the rod (2) and a connecting element (15) transversely connecting the edges of said notch, characterized in that the connecting element (15) is a flange, of rigidity at least equivalent to that of the wall of the rod (2), which is fixed rigidly and only on either side of the notch and in the upper zone of the latter to mutually lock its edges and ensure continuity of the upper edge (13) of the rod (2) , adjustable fixing means (18, 19) inter coming between the flange (15) and the rod (2) being provided to vary the spacing of the edges of the notch (14) by modifying the position of said flange (15) relative to the rod (2) transversely to the median longitudinal axis (9) of the latter and in that the lower part (17) of the notch (14) is located towards the base of the rod (2) in the zone corresponding to that of transition between the bottom of leg and ankle of the shoe wearer. Sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the notch (14) is defined by two lateral slots (44) between which is located a flange holder tongue (45). Sports shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strap (15) is blocked in all directions and rigidly fixed on either side of the notch (14) using its adjustable fastening means (18, 19) which cooperate with holding means (21) in position constituted by interlocking parts obtained between them obtained on the rod (2) and on the flange (15). Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustable fastening means (18, 19) consist of removable assembly elements (18) proceeding by screwing, interlocking, stapling, etc. .., and by several possible mounting locations (19) obtained on the flange (15) and the rod (2). Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strap (15) extends inside the upper (2) of the shoe up to the lower part (17) of the 'notch (14) which it closes from the inside by overlapping. Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strap (15) extends outside the upper (2) of the shoe to the lower part (17) of the 'notch (14) which it closes from the outside by overlapping. Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the notch (14) is closed completely and permanently by a sealing element (24) adapting to the spacing of its edges . Sports shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealing bellows (24) is obtained by molding in one piece with the wall of the upper (2) of the shoe. Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper (2) of the shoe is attached and connected to the lower part housing the foot which it straddles partially and perimeter by a pivoting link (3) located substantially in the region of the ankle joint, and in that the lower part (17) of the notch is located in the region of overlapping of the rod (2) on the lower part (1) housing the foot. Sports shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the strap (15) is obtained with a flap (25) which overlaps at least a portion of the upper edge (13) of the upper (2). Sports shoe according to claim 10, characterized in that the flap (25) of the strap (15) is retained on the upper edge (13) of the upper (2) by means of the fixing means (18) of the flange (15) on the rod (2).

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