EP0841015A1 - Sportsshoe with mobile collar - Google Patents

Abstract

A sports boot consists of a rigid collar (20) to support the lower leg, articulated at the ankle to a foot section (10) so that the leg can flex forwards during use. The lower end of the collar is also made to permit a certain transverse movement of the lower leg by means of fastenings (21) which pass through holes in the collar and engage with elongated slots (13) in the foot section, with elastic elements (27) to return the collar to its original position after flexure. In variants of the design the components which permit transverse movement can be in the form of deforming zones in the collar, formed by lengthwise slits or ribs.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a sports shoe intended more particularly for sports. requiring great mobility of the foot relative to the leg for flexion / extension movements while requiring good support in transverse direction of the ankle.

Such sports include, but are not limited to, roller skating, including in-line wheels, cross-country skiing, walking / hiking, snowboarding, wake boarding, ... etc.

It is already known, in particular for skating, cross-country skiing or walking, to have a construction shoe comprising a rigid frame consisting of a shell or at least one heel counter and a rigid collar articulated and movable along a substantially transverse axis on said heel counter and surrounding the athlete's lower leg.

Such a collar can pivot freely forwards and backwards around its transverse articulation axis, possibly against elastic means, and thus provide total freedom of movement especially in forward bending of the leg relative to the foot.

The emergence of new extreme practices of these sports such as the so-called "aggressive" practice in inline skates or the "free ride" in snowboard brings new requirements. Indeed, in these extreme practices the sportsman seeks above all the realization of jumps, acrobatic figures requiring a significant transverse inclination of the ankle both on the internal side and on the external side.

The problem is therefore to produce a sports shoe which makes it possible to reconcile these requirements. contradictory that are the lateral or transverse ankle support and a certain mobility in the same transverse direction, while maintaining the desired front / rear ankle mobility relative to the foot.

This object is achieved in the sports shoe according to the invention which is of the aforementioned type, namely comprising a rigid frame consisting of at least one heel counter and a rigid collar articulated according to a substantially transverse axis on said heel counter and surrounding the lower leg of the sportsman, thereby that transverse tilting means are associated with at least part of the collar, and that elastic return means are associated with said transverse tilting means for a return in neutral position.

Such a construction makes it possible to solve the problem posed by authorizing the desired travel of ankle in transverse direction while allowing it to keep a permanent "reference" that is to say an elastic recall memory, this "reference" playing an important role in maintaining the ankle, using the proprioceptive qualities of the user's lower leg.

The two contradictory requirements of mobility and keeping in transverse direction are thus reconciled.

Different constructions of the collar can be provided. Thus, the desired transverse travel can be obtained by making transverse deformation zones on the collar, in appropriate locations, the elastic return means then being constituted by the very material of the collar. This travel transverse can also be obtained by an appropriate clearance at the articulation axes of the collar with associated elastic return means.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une ossature rigide de chaussure selon un premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un troisième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un quatrième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un cinquième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un sixième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un septième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 selon un huitième mode de réalisation.

In any case, 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 drawing, which represents it, by way of nonlimiting examples , several preferred embodiments and in which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rigid shoe frame according to a first embodiment,
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment,
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a third embodiment,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a fourth embodiment,
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a fifth embodiment,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a sixth embodiment,
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 according to a seventh embodiment,
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 according to an eighth embodiment.

The "rigid" shoe frame 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be suitable for different types of sports shoes requiring good transverse support and good flexibility front / rear of the foot by ankle, such as skate shoes, walking shoes, cross-country skiing or snowboarding (surfing snow).

This frame 1 is in the specific case consisting of a rigid sole 10, of the shell or bowl type delimiting a heel counter 11 on which a rigid collar 20 is articulated. The heel counter 11 has laterally, at the malleoli of the foot, two lifts 12, each provided with an oblong lumen 13 substantially vertical, and capable of each receiving an axis 21 of articulation of the collar 20.

The rear part 14 of the heel counter 11 has a notch 15, intended to allow bending towards the rear of the ankle without creating a hard point for it, and a stop 16 in the shape of a semicircle forming a rearward projection, the role of which will be explained later.

The sole 10 can be completely rigid as shown in the figure or be only partially rigid, the only rigid part then being constituted by the heel counter 11.

The collar 20 is constituted by a cuff of semi-cylindrical shape, open towards the front for allow the anchor to be put in place and provided with clamping means 23 of a type known per se and not shown further in the drawing.

It is preferably made of a rigid synthetic material such as Pebax.

Two holes 22 are provided laterally at the lower end of the collar 20 in correspondence with the lights 12 of the heel counter for receiving and anchoring the hinge pins 21.

On its rear lower edge, the collar 20 is provided with a semi-circular notch 26 intended to cooperate with the stop 16 of the heel counter to provide both a stop towards the rear of this collar and a guide during the transverse deflections thereof.

The collar 20 is also provided in front of its articulation zone 22 with two lateral extensions longitudinal 24 intended to be anchored at their free end 25 or 18 on each side of the heel reinforcement 10.

These two extensions or energy legs 24 will be deformed between their two anchoring zones 22, 25, during forward bending movements of the collar 20 and will provide by their elastic deformation a return energy of the collar in a substantially vertical position.

The shape of the collar 20 and of its energy legs 24 are determined so that at rest, that is to say in the absence of any solicitation from the athlete, each of the articulation axes 21 of the collar is found at the upper end of the lumen 12 associated with the heel counter, thus defining the axis of transverse rotation or natural forward bending axis 30 of the collar 20 on the sole 10.

Thus, in the absence of any effort in the transverse direction, the collar 20 can pivot normally towards the front along the axis 30 thus defined against the elastic means constituted by the energy tabs 24.

On the other hand, the backward bending movement of the collar 20 is blocked by the cooperation of the faces of respective stops 26 and 16 of the collar and the sole.

Of course, if a slight backward bending movement is desired, a slight play can be provided between these two abutment faces.

As will be readily appreciated, a transverse movement of the collar 20 relative to the heel counter 11 is made possible, both on the interior (or medial) and exterior (or lateral) side of the shoe, by vertical sliding of one of the articulation axes 21 in the corresponding lumen 12.

Such deflection or transverse tilt will also be guided by the cooperation of the faces of circular stop 16, 26, thus defining a kind of axis of rotation or longitudinal bending 31 for the collar 20.

As will be readily appreciated, an inclination in transverse direction of the collar 20, that is to say a bending of the latter relative to the longitudinal axis 31, will cause an elastic deformation of the legs energy 24 which then constitute a return means to the substantially vertical neutral position of said collar.

The amplitude of the transverse tilting movement of the collar will be determined by the length of the heel counter 12 lights.

Where appropriate, the lights 12 will be provided with a different length between the internal and external side of the shoe so as to allow greater clearance on one side of the shoe than on the other.

Of course, the vertical lights 12 could also be provided on the collar instead of the hull, the hinge pins 22 being mounted on the hull 10 so as to provide bending around the axis 30, the lights then extending upwards on the collar from the axis position 22.

It will also be possible to provide a stop 27 made of elastic material, such as rubber, at the bottom. of each light 12 for a return to the rest position of the axis 21 housed in said light.

To adapt to the specific needs of users, these elastic stops 27 can be provided asymmetrical or of different stiffnesses to increase or decrease as the case may be the energy of desired reminder in transverse direction.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which the similar elements or identical will be designated by the same references increased by 100.

In this second embodiment, the collar 120 is articulated on the buttress 111 by means of pins lateral articulation 121, without the possibility of travel at these axes and the travel transverse is achieved by means of transverse deformation zones 140 provided on each side of the collar, at the upper edge thereof.

Each transverse deformation zone 140 is constituted by a substantially vertical wing delimited, on the one hand, towards the rear by a substantially vertical slot 141 starting from the upper edge of the collar, and on the other hand, forwards by a notch 142.

As will be readily appreciated, the desired transverse clearance will be obtained by bending and deformation in transverse direction of said wings 140 (see arrows F). In this case, the restoring energy will be provided by the material of the collar 120 itself. Horizontal slots (not shown in the drawing) could be provided on the wings 140 to allow a more progressive flexion thereof.

In such an embodiment where the transverse movement is no longer carried out at the axes, but by elastic deformation of the upper edge of the collar 120, the rear stop faces respectively 116, 126, can be substantially planar.

The return energy in the event of forward bending of the collar 120 can be supplied by vertical legs. 114 arranged in the rear region of the buttress 111, these legs 114 being biased and deformed elastically by the rear wall of the collar 120 during bending movements towards the front thereof.

FIG. 3 represents another embodiment of the collar 120 of FIG. 2 using the principle of elastic deformation of the upper edge of the collar and for which the same references will therefore be used.

The only difference lies in the mode of energization of this collar 120 in the case of a bending towards the front. Indeed, in this case the collar 120 is provided at the rear with a horizontal slot 150 and two lateral notches 151 allowing forward bending of the collar 120 by elastic deformation of the lateral parts 152, this elastic deformation also providing return energy.

In this case, the back of the collar 120 is anchored at 153 to the heel stiffener 111 to allow said elastic deformation of the collar during forward bending. A protruding nipple (not shown) from the buttress 111 may be provided to cooperate with the upper edge of the slot 150 and thus provide support back of the collar on the shell 110.

A system of elastic stress by legs of energy similar to the legs 124 of the mode of embodiment of Figure 1 can also be considered.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, for which the same references as for FIG. 2 will be used but increased by 100, the only difference compared to that of figure 2 lies in the construction of transverse deformation zones 240 which are here defined by a succession of slots superimposed lateral 241 oriented in longitudinal direction on each side of the collar. These slots 241 allow the deformation in desired transverse direction of the collar 220.

As in the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the restoring energy is provided by the elastic deformation of the material constituting the collar. Furthermore, more or less elastic or rigid means can be designed to plug one or more slot 241, and thus modulate the deformation, in the transverse direction of the necklace.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the collar respectively 320, 420. In these two cases, the collar 320, 420, is made in two articulated parts and fitted one inside the other, at namely a lower forming a stirrup respectively 340, 440, and an upper part forming a cuff respectively 350, 450, each of substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

The stirrup 340, 440 is articulated on the heel counter, respectively 311, 411, by two axes of articulation. 321, 421. In the case of FIG. 5, the stirrup 340 is also anchored at 353 on the heel stiffener 311.

In the case of Figure 6, the return energy in forward bending is given by two legs lateral energy 424, as in the case of FIG. 1, while in the case of FIG. 5 the energy of reminder is provided by elastic deformation of the parts 350, 351, 352, of the stirrup part 340 of the collar, as in the case of figure 3.

To give the possibility of transverse travel, each sleeve respectively 360, 460, of the collar is articulated on the associated stirrup respectively 340, 440, by a longitudinal articulation axis respectively 361, 461, disposed at the rear of said collar.

In this case, the return means in the transverse direction are constituted by the cooperation of the upper zone respectively 342, 442, of the caliper part respectively 340, 440, with the zone respectively 362, 462, of the cuff respectively 360, 460.

Indeed, these parts 342, 442, 362, 462, are overlapped by engaging surfaces and we will easily understand that a lateral flexion of each sleeve 360, 460, around its axis 361, 461, will cause elastic deformation of the corresponding area 342, 442, respectively, of the stirrup.

Preferably, said parts 342, 442 will be stiffened by appropriate ribs.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the collar 520 is, as in the examples of embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, articulated laterally at 522 on the heel counter.

As in Figures 2 and 3, the possibilities of transverse tilt and elastic return of the collar are offered by suitable deformation zones of the collar. These zones are made up essentially by a vertical rib 521 disposed centrally behind the collar 520, and by two lateral ribs 524, 525, more or less accentuated V-shaped, oriented essentially in the direction horizontal and coming laterally from either side of said vertical rib 521.

The central rib 521 is elastically stressed during the front / rear bending movements of the collar, and can therefore provide the recall energy required during these movements.

The rib 521 can optionally be used to provide energy for return in front or rear bending. In the in most cases it will be provided so that it can flex laterally, but be rigid towards the rear of so as to resume efforts and provide firm back support.

In the event of transverse bending of the collar, these are essentially the lateral ribs 524, 525, which are called upon and provide the necessary recall energy.

Elastic means of the elastic buffer type may be provided in the intervals left between the ribs, in particular between the central rib 521 and the lateral ribs 524 to modulate the stiffness and elasticity conditions.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the collar 620 is anchored laterally by pins 621 on the heel counter 611 and is also fixed at the rear on the heel counter at two anchor points 653, such as rivets or screws.

A transverse notch 651, provided substantially horizontally behind the collar 620 provides the latter the possibility of forward bending, by elastic deformation of the material constituting the collar.

Furthermore, the collar 620 comprises on each side an oblong lumen 613, substantially inclined towards the rear, and each intended to receive one of the anchoring axes 621 of the collar 620. The forecast of these oblong lights 613 allows transverse inclination of the collar by sliding the anchor pins lateral of the collar in said lights 613.

In this case, the return energy is supplied by the deformation of the collar part 619 between the lateral anchors 613 and rear 653. This same part 619 also provides the return energy in case of forward bending.

Furthermore, the collar 620 has, as in the case of FIG. 3, a deformation zone transverse 140 located at its upper edge and which can also deform elastically in transverse direction.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described.

It applies in particular to all sports shoes with identical requirements or similar.

Claims (8)

Sports shoe of the type comprising a rigid frame consisting of at least one heel counter and a rigid collar for holding the lower leg hinged on the heel counter about an axis substantially transverse, the collar being able to pivot around said transverse axis or to bend forward during the sport practice, characterized in that transverse inclination means (13, 140, 240, 361, 461, 524, 525, 613) are associated with at least part of the collar, and in that elastic return means are associated with said transverse tilting means for returning to the neutral position. Sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclination means transverse of the collar are formed by zones (140, 240, 524, 525) of transverse deformation of said necklace. Sports shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that each deformation zone transverse (140) is constituted by a substantially vertical wing, delimited on the one hand towards the rear by a substantially vertical slot (141), and on the other hand forwardly by a notch (142). Sports shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that the deformation zones transverse (140) of the collar are constituted by a succession of superimposed lateral slots (241) oriented in the longitudinal direction. Sports shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that the deformation zones transverse are formed by two lateral ribs (524, 525), substantially V-shaped oriented in the horizontal direction, coming laterally from either side of a central vertical rib (521). Sports shoe according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the restoring energy elastic in transverse direction is provided by the material deformation of the deformation zones transverse. Sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar consists of two parts respectively (340, 350, 440, 450) of essentially semi-cylindrical shape fitted together and hinged to each other along a longitudinal hinge axis (361, 461). Sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar (20, 620) is anchored laterally on the heel counter (11) and in that the means of transverse inclination of the collar are constituted by a mounting with vertical movement of its articulation axes (21, 621).

Images