EP0736264B1 - 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 devices clamp to hold it on the wearer's lower leg and relates to an adjustment device a portion of its circumference in the configuration of the part of the lower 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 rod which is opposite the clamps. they have to improve the adaptation of the upper part of the upper to the morphology of the leg of the skier, and possibly to adjust the angle of advance. The most significant variations in morphology of the leg located at the level of the muscular masses, in particular calves, it is so at the posterior part of the rod that the adjustment devices are most often put in artwork. For example, the "SAPPORO" shoe model marketed by HESCHUNG in 1973-74, the "VALLUGA" and "TOURING" models marketed by KOFLACH in 1980-81, as well that the "SUPER COMP" model marketed by KASTINGER in 1981-82, show devices adjustment 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 of the stem of the shoes.

These devices have a vertical notch open upwards and produced in the part posterior of the stem. A tensioner locking device acting on a transverse tongue or a cable retains the edges of the notch at a given distance depending on the length of the tongue or of the cable made active. So when it comes to adapting to a large calf or reduction in the advancing angle, the active length of the device tongue or cable is increased blocking. 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 angle of advance, we decrease the active length of the tongue or cable to bring the edges of the notch closer together which come into contact with the calf or push it forwards, which accentuates the angle advance. In the latter case, the rod clamping devices are loosened in order to keep always the same perimeter of wrapping of the rod on the lower leg. These devices adjustment are relatively easy to maneuver, but require to provide the edges of the notch elastically deformable and originally obtained in a maximum open position, because the cable locking devices only operate in the direction of their approximation. It follows from these provisions that the edges of the notch easily deform one or the other as soon as the bottom support skier’s leg is off-center with respect to the lunge, all the more so as the tongues or 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 the patent EP 302 414 which illustrate adjustment devices of the same type as above, but which, in in this case, are fitted with hinged flaps at the bottom of the vertical notch which they close, either by covering it, or by being placed under it. In these devices adjustment, these are the flaps which act on the edges of the notch and which determine the modification of the wrapping circumference of the upper on the lower leg using elements adjustable link located on the wings of said flaps. Unlike the devices previously mentioned, these devices block the edges of the notch as much in the direction of their approximation than 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, due to the fact that they implement essentially articulated components the lower part of the notch, the surface or support area that the flaps offer for the lower leg varies according to their inclination. Indeed, when the shutter is tilted backwards to increase the wrapping perimeter of the rod, the support surface offered is substantially equal to that, total, of said flap, which allows the pressures to be dispersed over a big surface. However, the more the flap is tilted forward to reduce the perimeter rod wrapping, the smaller the contact surface offered towards the edge top of the shutter. In this case, the efforts of the lower leg are distributed only over a small surface, which generates painful overpressures for the wearer in this area of contact with the shutter.

It is also known adjustment devices which include a clamp 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 flange completely surrounds the rod of the shoe and is fixed, in its middle part, at two points located on either side of the notch, while its free ends are provided with a clamping device. Such a flange allows 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 point, but obliges to plan the tightening of the rod on the lower leg at the same level since it is the ends of the strap that wear the clamping device. This arrangement is in fact ill-suited to skiing techniques because a good front-back balance of skiers necessarily involves a zone relatively firm rear support placed significantly higher than that used for support before. Indeed, the articular physiology of the skier's leg and his musculature cannot not prevent the body from falling backwards while forwards it is the opposite, the yield muscle being also optimum if the lower leg can flex by a certain amplitude by resting on the front part of the upper of the shoe.

In addition, the creation of a complete strap that surrounds the lower leg to fill in both a function of adjustment of the notch and a function of tightening proves difficult to technically define. Indeed, the adjustment of the notch requires a blocking of its edges, therefore great rigidity of the middle part of the flange, while tightening requires great flexibility of the free ends of said flange.

Again, in the example of US Patent 5,343,640, a sports shoe is taught to rising stem which closes with clamping devices to keep it on the bottom leg of the wearer, and which includes a device for adjusting a portion of its periphery intended to modify the wrapping perimeter of the rod independently of the tightening, the adjustment device having a substantially vertical and open notch upwards made in the wall of the rod, and a connecting element connecting transversely the edges of said notch; the connecting element is a flange which is fixed rigidly and only on either side of the notch and in the upper zone of this last to reciprocally block its edges and ensure continuity of the upper edge of the rod, adjustable fixing means being provided to vary the spacing of the edges of the notch by modification of the position of said flange relative to the rod transversely to the axis. The tightness of the adjustment device is ensured using a flap a removable inner liner that overlaps the top of the back of the upper.

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

The object of the invention is achieved, on the one hand, by the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

By these provisions, the flange ensures the continuity of the upper edge of the rod in the same way than a bridge of material which would be obtained in one piece with the wall of the rod, and the position of the part bottom of the notch allows to adjust the wall of the rod adjacent to the edges of the notch on almost the entire height of the part of the lower leg of the shoe wearer introduced into the stem of it. 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 to the lower leg morphology.

In order to preserve the tightness of the rod, a sealing element which is completely closed and permanently the notch by adapting to the spacing of the edges of 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 consists of a part being attached to the rod or obtained in one piece with the wall thereof.

According to the invention, the sports shoe with a rising upper closes with tightening devices to keep it on the wearer's lower leg and has a portion adjustment device of its perimeter intended to modify its perimeter of envelopment independently of the devices of tightening, the adjustment device having, on the one hand, a substantially vertical notch and open 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 ski boot alpine, cross-country skiing, inline or classic roller skating, ice skating, mountaineering, etc.

The shoe is characterized by the fact that the lower part of the notch is located towards the base of the upper, in the area corresponding to that of transition between the lower leg and the ankle of the wearer of the shoe, and by the fact that the notch is completely and permanently closed by a sealing element adapting to the spacing of its edges.

• 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 represented in FIGS. 1 to 4a has a lower part 1 or shell base, intended to accommodate the wearer's foot and a rising rod 2, attached and connected to the shell base 1 by a pivoting link 3 in the zone corresponding to that of the ankle joint, the rod overlapping by its lower edge 11 that upper 11 'of the hull base. A stop 6 located on the shell base 1 in the heel area prevents the upper 2 from tipping backwards beyond a angular position determined with respect to said shell base 1, and thus determines what is commonly called the advancing angle, i.e. 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, and 4. By this arrangement of a rear stop and the fact that the rod 2 closes on the lower leg 10 of the carrier, lower leg 10 is also held back 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 carried out by means of clamping devices 4 which secure opening-closing flaps 5 on the front.

An adjustment device 12 for a portion of the periphery of the rod 2 is disposed on the latter, proximity of its upper edge 13, in order to allow a modification of the enveloping 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 an element of connection 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, in this example, near the bottom 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 in causing, consequently, the reduction or widening of the notch 14 according to whether the flange 15 is in the extreme adjustment position 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 to say over the entire height of the part of the lower leg 10 introduced 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 fixed rigidly in position on the rod 2 by holding means 21 with which the means cooperate fixing 18 for all mounting locations 19. These holding means 21 are by example of the 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 means of fixing 18 block it in the horizontal direction. The flange 15 is therefore blocked in all directions. In order to ensure a wrapping continuity of the rod 2 in the same way as a material bridge 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 adapt the wrapping of the rod 2 to the morphology of a lower leg 10 having a large calf. In this adaptation example, the rod 2 is assumed to have an advancing angle 8 corresponding to that desired by the wearer, and therefore, the adjustment is made not by tightening the devices 4, but by fixing the flange in a retracted position 22 using the mounting locations 19 appropriate. As illustrated, the mounting locations 19 have been used which correspond to the position adjustment 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 schematically shown in Figures 3, 3a, 4 and 4a, 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 lower leg 10 is held at a forward angle 8 constant 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 Figures 4 and 4a. In this case, the lower leg takes an upright position and the clamping devices 4 are then tightened and / or adjusted so as to compensate for the increase of the wrapping of the rear portion of the rod 2. The reverse, that is to say when the flange 15 is advanced while it is a lower leg 10 with large calf, the lower leg is forced to bend further forward and the clamps 4 are loosened to compensate for the decrease 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 bellows seal 24 is disposed on the rod 2 and completely covers the notch 14. The latter being brought to undergo variations in spacing according to the adjustments made for the adjustment at the bottom of 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 under a pleated shape.

FIG. 5 shows a flange 15 produced with several mounting locations 19 for its fixing on the rod 2 also provided with several mounting location 19. This arrangement allows a multitude of adjustment positions and therefore greater adjustment precision.

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 locations mounting 19 consisting of correspondingly shaped holes, the fastening means 18 ensuring assembly after reciprocal interlocking 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 Figure 7, the flange 15 extends over the notch 14 which it completely covers up to the lower part 17 thereof, and this, from the inside of the rod 2. The flange 15 is then presented in an elongated curved shape which, marrying closely the profile of the part of the rod opposite, in fact constitutes the equivalent of the means of maintenance 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 using the fixing means 18 of the flange 15.

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

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

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

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

Claims (8)

1. Sports boot with a rising upper (2) which closes by means of tightening devices (4) for maintaining it on the wearer's lower leg and which comprises a device (12) for adjusting a portion of its contour adapted to modify the envelopment perimeter of the upper (2) independently of the tightening devices (4), the adjustment device (12) having a scallop (14) that is substantially vertical and open upwardly obtained in the wall of the upper (2) and a linkage element (15) transversely connecting the edges of said scallop, the linkage element (15) being a strap having a rigidity at least equivalent to that of the wall of the upper (2), which is fixed rigidly and only on both sides of the scallop and in the upper zone of the latter to reciprocally block its edges and ensure a continuity of the upper edge (13) of the upper (2), adjustable fixing means (18, 19) intervening between the strap (15) and the upper (2) being provided to vary the spacing of the edges of the scallop (14) by modifying the position of said strap (15) in relation to the upper (2) transversely to the median longitudinal axis (9) of the latter, characterized in that the lower portion (17) of the scallop (14) is located towards the base of the upper (2) in the zone corresponding to that of transition between the lower leg and the ankle of the wearer of the boot, and in that the scallop (14) is totally and uniformly closed by a sealing element (24) which adapts to the spacing of its edges.
2. Sports boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing bellows tongue (24) is molded in one piece with the wall of the upper (2) of the boot.
3. Sports boot according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the scallop (14) is defined by two lateral slits (44) between which a strap-holding tongue (45) is located.
4. Sports boot according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the strap (15) extends inside the upper (2) of the boot to the lower portion (17) of the scallop (14) which it closes from the inside by overlapping.
5. Sports boot according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the strap (15) extends inside the upper (2) of the boot to the lower portion (17) of the scallop (14) which it closes from the outside by overlapping.
6. Sports boot according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the upper (2) of the boot is attached and connected to the lower portion housing the foot which it overlaps partially and perirnetrically by a pivoting linkage (3) located substantially in the articulation zone of the ankle, and in that the lower portion (17) of the scallop is located in the overlapping zone of the upper (2) on the bottom portion (1) housing the foot.
7. Sports boot according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the strap (15) is obtained with a flap (25) that overlaps at least one portion of the upper edge (13) of the upper (2).
8. Sports boot according to claim 7, characterized in that the flap (25) of the strap (15) is retained on the upper edge (13) of the upper (2) by means (18) for fixing the strap (15) on the upper (2).

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