EP0895727A1 - Sportsshoe with determined flexibility - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot has a shell (2) with a base (22) and a leg (12) which partially overlap at the back (8). The leg is articulated on the base by two axles (32). A flexible strip (7) is partially sandwiched between the leg and the shell and is fixed rigidly to the shell. It has a vertical slot (17) which opens at the top and its edges (17') extend under the leg.

Description

The subject of the invention is a sports shoe of the front entry type with a variable volume. having a shell consisting of at least one overlapping rod and shell base partially and which are pivotally connected to one another and relates to a bending means intended to determine the flexibility characteristics of the rod relative to the base of the shell.

In known boots of this kind, such as the ski boots described in European patent applications EP 666,036 and EP 671,133, European patent EP 350,023 and the model German utility G 92 17 787.5, the area of overlap of the rod with the shell base extends approximately over the entire region corresponding to the ankle of the user for a question obvious sealing. More specifically, the shell base present in the dorsal region of the shoe a more or less thin and flexible vertical extension which came in one piece with its wall and which fits under the lower edge of the rod. This vertical extension, which forms the equivalent of half a tube, is split by a vertical notch open upwards whose edges which the delimit extend freely under the rod and at a level situated above that of the axes of pivoting of the latter. By these provisions, when the rod pivots forward, the split part of the vertical extension can deform elastically without bracing and thus accompany in its movement the rod which straddles it.

As taught, the pivoting of the rod is therefore made possible on the condition of overcome the elastic resistance of the vertical extension and therefore of its split part, which translates moreover by a relative approximation of the opposite edges which delimit the notch. The capacity in bending of the vertical extension consequently determines the flexibility characteristics in bending of the shoe. Now, the vertical extension being obtained in one piece with the shell base, it is the nature of the material constituting the shell base which, ultimately, predisposes the shoe to be more or less flexible, that is to say which gives it its initial flexibility.

Considering that the shell base of this kind of shoes, like the generality of so-called "variable volume" shoes, must also be adjusted on the foot using tightening which modify its wrapping, the known solution to obtain optimum initial flexibility suitable for each relevant region of the shoe therefore consists, from a given material, the more often plastic, also playing on the thickness of the wall of the shell base. In this effect, the wall is made thin in the region of the closing flaps of the shell base and markedly thicker in the region of the split portion of the vertical extension as well as in the low region extending to the tread.

This design of shoes with variable volume makes it possible to achieve a good stiffness-flexibility compromise for a specific shoe model as long as we choose a plastic material not too stiff because it would then be necessary to produce extremely thin walls, or even a excessive fineness, at the locations of the clamping devices, i.e. where the shell base must be adjusted to the user's foot such as the instep area. In fact, in a way almost general, it is a relatively flexible material which is usually used which allows to define the different regions of the shell base in remaining wall thicknesses compatible with traditional plastic molding processes even if it means thickening places most requested.

Shoes thus designed, that is to say with excess wall thickness, in particular on the stretched part of the vertical extension ultimately give relatively satisfaction in terms of functional because the flexibility of the upper then results from a pulling effect on the dorsal area of the base of shell without blocking during the whole period when the opposite edges of the notch remain free to to bring together. In addition, by doing so, the force that the user applies to the rod is distributed on a large wrap area extending over the entire lower anterior area of his leg which avoids the localization of significant pressures. However, this shoe design has the disadvantage of weighing them down considerably and of not allowing the development of a basic structure which can be common or even standard for several models of shoes for which are sought different initial flexibility characteristics. Indeed, in such perspective it is necessary to realize, for each model, or for each level of flexibility initial sought, a specific shell base by playing on the choice of plastic material and / or playing on the thickness of its wall.

Obviously, it is known to add and / or associate with the flexion slot of the shell base of the adjusting devices intended to modify the characteristics of initial flexibility that said slot is able to provide for a specific shoe model. This is what is described in particular in the documents EP 666 036, EP 671 133, EP 350 023 and DE G 92 17 787.5 cited above.

More specifically, the shoe adjustment devices described in European documents EP 350 023, EP 666 036 and EP 671 133 operate on the opposite edges of the notch of the extension vertical coming from the shell base while that of the shoe described in a document German G 92 17 787.5 interacts directly between the rod and the hull base. So flexibility stem initial can very easily be modified and controlled both in effort and in amplitude simply playing on the value of the space left free between the opposite edges of the notch and / or on the height of the notch allowed to flex. Obviously, this last adjustment simultaneously results in a modification of the level of the forces to be produced because it modifies the height of the support of the rod on the slotted part of the vertical extension with respect to the connecting and pivot axes of the rod. he However, it emerges from these shoe constructions that obtaining the split vertical extension one piece with the shell base penalizes, again, this kind of shoes. Indeed, in intervening, for example, directly on the edges of the notch with the adjusting devices taught by the documents EP 350 023, EP 666 036 and EP 671 133, it can be seen that the constraints, in particular the pressures are very high at the points of contact with the adjustable stops of these devices and that they cause rapid deterioration of the edges of the notch. This deterioration results from the fact that the available support surface is limited to that offered by the thickness from the wall of the vertical extension at the location of the notch and at that of the ends of the stops adjustable. Another reason comes from the fact that the elastic material constituting the vertical extension is the same as that of the shell base, that is to say relatively flexible to allow good stiffness-flexibility compromise while being compatible with the traditional molding processes of plastic materials.

Obviously, in the case of the adjustment device described in the German document G 92 17 787.5 the drawback does not arise because this adjustment device interacts directly between the rod and the shell base using a tension adjustable spring. However, this device extends over the dorsal area of the shoe and therefore has a large footprint in this area which must very often be relatively clear to make room for systems retaining and / or fixing the boot on sports machines such as on skis by example. In addition, this device proves to be relatively complicated because it implements numerous mechanical parts.

In any event, it is clear that whatever adjustment devices are used on this kind of shoe they can only be effective in the sense of making the shoe less flexible than it is initially by reducing the forward bending capacity of its rod and / or by increasing the level of forces to be produced on the latter to cause it to flex. The shoe adjustment devices described above therefore do not avoid having to provide a shell base and / or a structure ⁸ rod-shell base "specific to each shoe model, that is to say specific to each desired initial level of flexibility.

The present invention proposes to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned shoes very simple and effective while retaining the benefits of achieving an extension vertical split in the dorsal area of the hull base. An object of the invention is in particular to allow the realization of a basic structure of the shell of a shoe which is common and / or standard for several shoe models which must have flexibility characteristics differentiated initial. Another object is to produce a light shoe which, while being obtained at from a relatively flexible plastic material to ensure optimum fit and support of the user's foot, can provide, if necessary, a high initial resistance to the flexion of the rod forward. The invention also aims to not significantly change the volume outside of the boot shell by prominent parts.

To achieve these goals, the shoe according to the invention, of the type with front entry with volume variable having a shell consisting of an overlapping rod and shell base at the at least partially in the region corresponding to the back region of the shoe, the upper being connected at the base of the hull by means of pivot axes, is characterized by the fact that a means of bending intended to determine its flexibility characteristics is sandwiched between the rod and the shell base on which it is attached and fixed rigidly and by the fact that this means of bending is formed by a flexible strip split over a portion of its length by an open vertical notch upwards, the edges of which delimit it extend freely under the stem.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the notch is positioned in the dorsal region of the shell of the shoe and the edges which delimit it extend at a level situated above that of the axes pivoting rod.

By these characteristics, the flexible strip constitutes an extension of the hull base equivalent in its function to a split vertical extension which would have come from a part with it but which has the advantage of being able to be produced in a material different from that of the base of shell. Therefore depending on whether the material chosen for this flexible strip is more or less resistant to bending, the flexibility of the shoe is modified either in the direction of decreasing it or in the sense of increasing it. The flexible strip therefore makes it possible to determine the initial basic flexibility which is desired for a shoe model without being dependent on the choice of material used for the base hull. It also allows to stiffen the wall for the hull base on the area where it is attached and rigidly attached, without interfering with the flexibility it gives to the shoe upper.

Obviously, thanks to this independence of realization of the means determining the initial flexibility shoe it is easy to design the shell, including the shell base, in a plastic material better suited to perform the function of adjusting and maintaining the foot in the shoe without have to plan for excessive thicknesses at least in the areas of the latter which are stressed when bending the rod forward. The bending means according to the invention thus makes it possible to design a basic structure of the shoe, "shell-to-rod base" or shell base only, which is common, until the time of final assembly, to several models of shoes. Indeed, it In this perspective, it suffices to provide a range of more or less flexible bands to realize all models of shoes which have different initial flexibility characteristics. To this end, despite the fact that the flexible strip can be fixed using any known means such as for example welding, riveting, gluing, bolting, etc., the preference is given to the most easily removable assembly means; by this choice, we allow a adapting the flexibility of the shoe later to its final fitting without having to destruction, even partial, of the assembly means.

Again, still thanks to this independence of realization of the means intended to confer on the shoe its characteristics of initial flexibility, it is possible to choose a material having high mechanical properties capable of preventing deterioration of the opposite edges of the notch if an adjustment device is provided to cooperate with them as in the examples of shoes described in documents EP 671 133, EP 350 023 and EP 666 036 and exposed previously.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible strip which constitutes the means intended to determine the flexibility of the rod is in the form of a relatively thin piece which closely fits at least a portion of the dorsal region of the shell base and which extends laterally on the sides of the latter for example up to the area of the connecting and pivot axes of the rod. The flexible strip thus produced fits perfectly into the external volume of the shell and surrounds approximately the entire region corresponding to the user's ankle, leaving the area free of the instep where, in a conventional manner, the shell base must, on the one hand, allow passage at the foot of the user when putting on and taking off, and on the other hand, being particularly well adjusted at the foot of the user to hold it without injuring it while allowing the bending of the rod towards the front.

According to another embodiment of the invention, which follows from the previous one, the flexible strip is obtained with at least one lateral extension which extends over a side of the hull base in the direction of the anterior region thereof and beyond the axis of connection and pivoting of the rod. This extension has a slide in which a movable cursor is adjustable in translation.

This cursor is provided with a shoulder which is projecting from the lower edge. corresponding side of the rod and the slide is oriented approximately parallel to this edge lower side. By these provisions the rod is more or less hampered in pivoting, forwardly, by the intermediary of the cursor and this, in addition to the elastic resistance which the split portion of the flexible strip. In fact, these provisions make the shoe more or less stiff as a whole because the rod can hardly bend forward any more except under the condition to be able to deform elastically between the support of its lower lateral edge on the slider and its pivot axes.

Obviously, the slide of the lateral extension of the flexible strip can be oriented, from the level of the rod connecting axes, diverging from the lateral lower edge of the latter. In this case of construction, the rod can then bend forward in contrast to the opposite elastic resistance in the dorsal area of the shoe by the flexible split strip and this until it finds a press on the cursor with which the slide is fitted. From this position where the rod can no longer pivot on its axes, this is the elastic deformation capacity of the rod that plays to allow the continuation of a forward movement. Again, the slide can itself be designed to be able to deform elastically under the effect of a force applied to the slider and directed forward via the lower lateral edge of the rod. To this end, the slide may have a flexible portion located between its ends which define its length, fixing elements which can advantageously be located at the location of these ends. In that case, the level of effort to be produced on the rod to cause it to flex forward depends on the elastic resistance opposed by the notched part of the flexible strip and the elastic resistance of the slide. The flexing means, the flexible strip, is thus capable under a small volume to oppose an extremely high overall elastic resistance because the flexibility of the rod forwards results from both a pulling effect on the dorsal area of the hull base and a pushing effect on the anterior zone of the latter, on at least one of its flanks.

According to a construction detail of the flexible strip constituting the means intended to determine the flexibility characteristics of the rod relative to the shell base, this is obtained in the back area of the shoe with a rim which projects outwards from the shoe and against which the rod is mounted in abutment by its rear lower edge. The shoe thus constructed has a rod only allowed to flex forward from the mounting position. It goes from so that the height position of the rim in the dorsal area of the shell base can be determined according to several values depending on the inclination that we want to impose on the rod in its position mounting supported on the back.

In order to integrate as perfectly as possible into the overall volume of the shoe the means of flexion, i.e. the flexible band, the shell base of the shoe is preferably made with a housing which extends at least over the entire area where the flexible strip covers it so that this last can take place.

La figure 1 montre, vue en élévation latérale et en coupe partielle, une chaussure à coque munie d'un moyen de flexion destiné à déterminer les caractéristiques de flexibilité de la tige.

La figure 2 illustre, vu en perspective, le moyen de flexion de la figure 1 avec le contour de la chaussure.

La figure 3 représente, vue en perspective, la base de coque de la chaussure des figures 1 et 2.

la figure 4 montre, selon la ligne de coupe IV-IV de la figure 1, comment la tige de la chaussure coopère avec une glissière à curseur dont est munie la pièce de flexion.

The description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows, in side elevation and in partial section, a shell shoe provided with a flexing means intended to determine the flexibility characteristics of the upper.

Figure 2 illustrates, seen in perspective, the flexing means of Figure 1 with the outline of the shoe.

FIG. 3 represents, in perspective view, the shell base of the shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows, along the section line IV-IV of Figure 1, how the upper of the shoe cooperates with a slider slide which is provided with the bending piece.

The shoe shown schematically in Figure 1 by way of example is of the entry type from the front and with variable volume. It has a shell 2 consisting of a rod 12 and a base of shell 22 provided with a sole 5, the constituent parts 12-22 of shell 2 being connected so pivoting between them by means of axes 32 of connection and pivoting preferably located in a region roughly corresponding to that of the ankle joint of the foot of the user (not shown). In this type of shoe, the shoeing-heaving takes place traditionally by opening the upper front part 1 of the shell 2 to leave the passage of the user's foot, and the adjustment on the foot of the latter results from a deformation of the shell 2; more precisely, this deformation is caused in a conventional manner using devices clamp 3 which pull on transverse flaps 4, 4 ', which extend the wall of the shell base 22 and of the rod 12, these flaps 4, 4 ′, ensuring the proper closing of the shell 2. In order to guarantee a certain seal and allow the rod 12 to flex relative to the shell base 22 by pivoting on the axes 32, these constituent parts 12-22 of the shell 2 overlap partially in an area which is preferably located approximately on the region corresponding to the ankle of the user and are provided, in this zone, with walls relatively flexible and thin; the rod 12 can thus easily flex relative to the shell base 22 because these flexible and thin walls oppose only a very low elastic resistance. According to a characteristic of the invention a flexing means 7 intended to determine the flexibility characteristics of the shoe is integrated into the dorsal area 8 thereof. This means 7 is for this purpose sandwiched between the rod 12 and the shell base 22 on which it is attached and rigidly fixed, for example, by assembly means 33 such as rivets or bolts. The flexing means 7 is formed by a relatively thin flexible strip which is split over a portion of its length by a notch vertical 17 open upwards so that the edges 17 'which delimit it extend freely under the rod 12 and at a distance from the shell base 22. This vertical notch 17 is preferably positioned in correspondence of the dorsal zone 8 of the shoe so that the resistance to flexion which the flexible strip 7 can oppose when the rod 12 is urged to pivot forward either approximately centered relative to the pivot axes 32 thereof. According to some details, the flexible strip 7 closely follows at least a portion of the shell base 22, located in the area dorsal 8 of the shoe, and then extends laterally on the sides 22 'of the latter by two extensions 23 and 26 as far as the region of the pivot axes 32 where it is fixed using the assembly means 33, leaving free the anterior zone 9 corresponding to the instep. More specifically, one, 23, of its extensions is provided, beyond the pivot axis 32 with a slide 24 in which a cursor 25 slides. This slide 24 is fixed to these two ends 24 ′ on the shell base 22 using the assembly means 33 and oriented parallel to the edge lower side 13 of the rod 12 which is in correspondence, and the cursor 25 has a shoulder 25 ' which is presented in the hall vis-à-vis this edge 13. By these provisions, the rod 12 is prevented from any pivoting forward and it is its only elastic deformation capacity which then plays for allow forward movement.

Advantageously, the cursor 25 is adjustable in translation in the slide 24 and immobilizable in position through a succession of socket cavities 30 made on one edge of the slide and with which cooperate a boss 31 with which the cursor 25 is provided, as visible in particular in FIG. 4. Thus, by varying the position of the cursor 25 relative to the axis of pivot 32 of the rod 12 the position of the fulcrum forwards is correspondingly modified rod 12 and therefore its lever arm. In fact, the bending means 7 thus arranged constitutes a means adjustable stiffening of the shoe allowing the upper 12 to deform more or less in function of the position of the cursor 25. Of course, by construction, the bending means 7 also a reinforcement function of the shell base 22 at the point where it is most stressed by the rod 12, that is to say in the dorsal zone 8 where there is overlap.

In order to integrate the flexing means 7, the flexible strip, into the overall volume of the shoe, the shell base 22, illustrated in FIG. 3, is produced with a housing 35 in which said means takes place there. This housing 35 preferably extends at least over the area where the means of bending 7 covers it and its outline, as in the present embodiment, is advantageously contiguous to that of the bending means 7. By doing so, the slide 24 is embedded on the base of the shell 22 without any possibility of bending between its assembly means 33 fixing it to the latter.

Obviously, in the case where a certain flexibility is desired, in particular to give a little more flexibility to the rod 12 when it rests on the cursor 25, a portion 27 of the slide 24 which is located between its two ends 24 'which delimit it can be provided flexible. To this end, the contour of the housing 35 produced in the wall of the shell base 22 is then provided at the location of the slide 24, relatively larger than the latter so that its portion 27 can flex between these two ends 24 '.

According to a construction detail of the bending means 7, the latter is obtained with a flange 19 which protrudes outward from the dorsal region of the shoe and against which the upper 12 is mounted in abutment by its rear lower edge 13 '. The rod 12 is thus prevented from tilting towards the rear from the moment it bears on the rim 19. In fact, thanks to the elastic thrust edges 17 'of the notch 17 on the wall of the rod 12 the latter is urged and recalled in permanently against this ledge 19.

Claims (10)

Variable volume front entry type shoe having a shell (2) formed a rod (12) and a shell base (22) which overlap at least partially in the region corresponding to the dorsal zone (8) of the shoe, the upper (12) being connected to the shell base (22) by means of pivot axes (32), characterized in that a means of bending (7), intended to determine its flexibility characteristics is integrated in the back region (8), this means (7) being partially sandwiched between the rod (12) and the shell base (22) on which it is attached and fixed rigidly and by the fact that this bending means (7) is formed by a flexible strip (7) split over a portion of its length by a vertical notch (17) open upwards, the edges (17 ') which delimit it extend freely under the rod (12). Shoe according to claim 1 characterized in that the notch (17) made on a flexible strip portion (7) is positioned to extend vertically in the dorsal area (8) of the shoe. Shoe according to claim 2 characterized in that the flexible strip (7) is presented in the form of a relatively thin piece which closely fits at least a portion of the base shell (22) in the dorsal zone (8) of the shoe and which then extends laterally on its sides (22 '). Shoe according to claim 3 characterized in that the flexible strip (7) extends over the sides (22 ') of the shell base (22) up to the region of the pivot axes (32) of the rod (12), leaving free the anterior zone (9) corresponding to the instep of the user. Shoe according to any one of claims 3 or 4 characterized in that the band flexible (7) is obtained with at least one lateral extension (23) (26) which extends over a sidewall (22 ') from the shell base (22) beyond the pivot axis (32) of the rod (12), this extension (23) being provided with a slide (24) in which a movable cursor (25), adjustable in translation, has a shoulder (25 ') projecting from the corresponding lateral lower edge (13) of the rod (12). Shoe according to claim 5 characterized in that the slide (24) has a flexible portion (27) located between its ends (24 ') which define its length. Shoe according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the strip flexible (7) is obtained with a flange (19) which projects outwards from the dorsal area (8) of the shoe and against which the upper (121) is abutted by its rear lower edge (13 '). Shoe according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base of shell (22) is made with a hollow housing (35) which extends at least over the entire area where the flexible strip (7) covers it. Shoe according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the strip flexible (7) is fixed to the shell base (22) using removable assembly means (33) without destruction. Shoe according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the strip flexible (7) is made of a material different from that of the shell base (22).

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